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Sir Noël Coward

© Armstrong Jones

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Sir Noël Coward

by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 21 September 1964
8 1/4 in. x 8 in. (208 mm x 204 mm) image size
Given by Antony Charles Robert Armstrong Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, 2013
Primary Collection
NPG P1864

Sitterback to top

  • Sir Noël Coward (1899-1973), Actor, playwright and composer. Sitter associated with 117 portraits.

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Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1964back to top

Current affairs

Harold Wilson narrowly wins the general election for the Labour Party, the first of his four election victories.
Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans become the last people to be executed in the United Kingdom before capital punishment was abolished in 1965.
The Sun newspaper replaces the Daily Herald.

Art and science

Top of the Pops begins its rein as the longest running television music show. The first broadcast was presented by Jimmy Savile and included the Rolling Stones, Dusty Springfield, The Hollies and The Beatles, who were the show's first number 1 with I Want to Hold Your Hand.

International

The Civil Rights Act is passed in the USA, outlawing discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex or national origin. The Act abolished the 'Jim Crow Laws' in the Southern States, making forced segregation illegal.
After spending two years in prison Nelson Mandela is sentenced to Life in Prison for the crimes of sabotage and crimes equivalent to treason against the Republic of South Africa.

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