THE SHAPE OF THE WORLD I WAS BORN INTO ON FEBRUARY 9TH 1962.

I was born, in Manchester, England, at 6 am, on Friday February 9th 1962, the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. The World was busy and most people did not notice my arrival. I’m sure my Mum did though.  She had suffered two miscarriages before my arrival. I was her first of two children.

That day the Number One record in the UK charts was The Young Ones by Cliff Richard & The Shadows.

Jamaican Independence agreement papers were signed.

America conducted a major nuclear test explosion in Nevada, introducing me to the World with a bang.

Britain signed a defence agreement with Nigeria. (What I became)

Four famous men died the day I was born. Silent movie actor, Glen Cavender, Swedish Olympic Fencing champion Ivar Tingdahl, Scottish cartographer, John Bartholomew, and US representative Dan R. McGehee.

Catherine Deneuve graced the cover of Elle magazine published that illustrious day.

Classic Twilight Zone episode, Kick The Can first aired in the US that evening. It was later remade as a segment of the Twilight Zone Movie, and inspired the Cocoon films.

Our Prime Minister was Harold MacMillan. The US president was of course John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The Pope was called ‘Blessed John 23’.February 9th is the feast day of St. Apollonia, a Catholic Martyr of the year 249. 

In Chinese Horoscopes I am a Tiger. In Western astrology I am an Aquarian.

Undoubtedly, there have been more exciting dates on which I could have entered into the World, but overall, I am happy to be of my current time and place.

Look up your own date of birth. Just put the date, month and year in Google and see what pages it takes you to.

Arthur Chappell