Today in History-June 16
Andrew Morton claims reliable sources1992: Controversial Diana book published
England have
A controversial new book about the Princess of Wales claims she attempted
suicide on several occasions over the last decade, and portrays her as a deeply
depressed and unstable character.
Author Andrew Morton insists he has reliable sources for the allegations,
which appear in Diana: Her True Story.
Buckingham Palace would not comment on any specific claims, and said
Princess Diana did not co-operate with the biography in any way whatsoever.
The Princess has begun another full week of engagements, attending the
annual Order of the Garter service with other members of the royal family at
Windsor on the eve of the book's publication.
Although she appeared composed at this event, she was seen breaking down in
tears at another public engagement in Liverpool last week.
Speaking for the first time since details of the book became known, Mr
Morton said: "The tears that she has shed in public in Liverpool are nothing
compared to the tears she has shed over the last year.
"I can't emphasise strongly enough the volatility of the situation inside
Kensington Palace".
The book alleges that Princess Diana tried to kill herself on as many as
five occasions during the 1980s.
"It is what the Princess of Wales has told her friends." Andrew Morton
said.
Mr Morton rejected suggestions that the revelations were based on rumour
and gossip, and said he had interviewed a number of sources close to the
princess who had insisted on anonymity.
"It is nothearsay. It is what the Princess of Wales has told her friends
about what happened to her in 1982, in the early 80s, and the last suicide
attempt I think was in 1986."
The author also denied he had any ulterior motivation in making the
disclosures.
He said: "My job is as a biographer, not as someone who is organising or
orchestrating the future of the royal family".
Valentina from the Soviet Union has become the first woman in space
1963: Soviets launch first woman into space
Artificially 1969:
A A former textile worker from the Soviet Union has become the first woman
in space.
Lieutenant Valentina Tereshkova, 26, was the fifth Russian cosmonaut to go
into the Earth's orbit when her spaceship Vostok VI was launched at 1230 Moscow
time.
Moscow Television broadcast the first pictures of the elated blonde -
code-named Seagull - ninety minutes later.
One of the main purposes of her mission is to attempt the first docking
manoeuvre with another spaceship.
Colonel Valery Bykovsky was completing his 32nd orbit in the Vostok V -
launched two days ago - when Lt Tereshkova hurtled into space from the secret
Russian launch pad in Baikonur, central Asia.
At one time the two spacecrafts - which were in radio contact with each
other as well as the ground - were only three miles apart, but they are reported
to be drifting further apart.
Khrushchev's acclaim
Russian Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev had a radio conversation with the
female cosmonaut.
He congratulated her on her achievement and spoke of his "fatherly pride"
for her.
By 2000 BST Ms Tereshkova had completed 23 circuits of the globe - one more
than the longest-flying US spaceman, Gordon Cooper - at a distance of between
114 miles (183km) and 145 miles (232km) with an average 88.3 minutes for each
orbit.
Thousands of jubilant women gathered in Red Square, Moscow, to celebrate
the occasion.
A special issue of Soviet newspaper Pravda said Ms Tereshkova had dreamed
of going into space as soon as she heard about the first man in space, Colonel
Yuri Gagarin, in April 1961.
Ms Tereshkova - an amateur parachutist - joined the space programme last
March.
Col Gagarin said she was popular with the other cosmonauts and their wives
and described her "kind eyes and good-natured smile".
Russian scientists also hope to analyse the comparative effects of space
travel on a man and a woman.
Vocabulary:
hearsay: information heard from others (谣言;传闻)
elated:exultantly proud and (兴高采烈的;得意洋洋的)
docking:(astronautics) the coming together and joining of two space
vehicles(对接)
页:
[1]