Daily Chat 16/07/09

This date in 622 marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. In 1661, Stockholms Banco issued the first banknotes in Europe. The District of Columbia was established as the capital of the United States in 1790 and the Mont Blanc tunnel, joining Italy and France, was opened in 1965. Celebrating birthdays today: Anita Brookner, Corin Redgrave, Margaret Court, Ruben Blades, Pinchas Zukerman, Stewart Copeland, Tony Kushner, Michael Flatley, Miguel Indurain and Will Farrell. It is the feast day of St. Helier.