Census data reveals that the population of England and Wales increased by 3.7 million over the previous decade (7.1% increase), from 52.4 million to 56.1 million. It was the largest 10-year population growth in England and Wales since 1801, when the census taking began. Separate censuses are conducted in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• Those calling themselves Christians fell 13% to 59%
• Those with “no religion” rose to 25%
• Those of the Muslim faith rose 3% to 4.8%
• One in three residents of London were born in a foreign country
• One person in eight in England and Wales was foreign born

For more information, see “Census Data Released.”

In 1429, Joan of Arc leads French soldiers in defeating the main English army at the Battle of Patay, turning the tide of the Hundred Years’ War.

In 1767, an English sea captain is the first European to reach Tahiti.

In 1812, the U.S. Congress declares war on the United Kingdom, starting the War of 1812.

In 1815, Napoleon loses the Battle of Waterloo.

In 1923, the first Checker Taxi appears on the streets.

In 1937, John D. Rockefeller IV is born (American politician)

In 1939, Lou Brock is born (American baseball player)

In 1942, Paul McCartney is born (musician with the Beatles)

In 1959, Ethel Barrymore dies (American actress)

In 1979, SALT II is signed by the United States and the Soviet Union.

In 1983, the astronaut Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.

One hundred years ago today, the Titanic was launched from Belfast, Ireland.

BBC

The passenger liner sank after hitting an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York in April 1912.

It took three years to build the RMS Titanic and just 62 seconds to complete the launch.

From Wikipedia:

The largest passenger steamship in the world, the Olympic-class RMS Titanic was owned by the White Star Line.

She set sail for New York City on 10 April 1912 with 2,223 people on board. The high casualty rate resulting from the sinking was due in part to the fact that, although complying with the regulations of the time, the ship carried lifeboats for only 1,178 people.

In Barcelona and surrounding areas in Spain, in 1990, a large or giant flying creature was reported by a number of eyewitnesses. Now some cryptozoologists and others are trying to explain what happened.

(Cryptomundo) The twentieth anniversary of an unusual and highly original case within Spanish cryptozoology took place a few months ago. In June 1990, a giant bird decided to frighten—with its imposing presence and unpleasant crowing—a sizeable number of Barcelona’s residents. . . . According to eyewitness accounts, the bird ranged as far away as 100 kilometers distant from Barcelona. . . . with a wingspan of between 3 and 15 meters, making loud crowing sounds in three different tones, and whose membranous wings were reminiscent of a prehistoric pterodactyl.