In Britain and around the world, but centered at his home town of Stratford-on-Avon, the three hundredth anniversary of the birth of Shakespeare was celebrated enthusiastically. A massive 700 person banquet was held in the town, which was thronged with visitors, decorated with streamers, and filled with band music. Other events were held in London and other cities but for political reasons were forbidden in Paris due to the current agitation over Victor Hugo.  (By John Osborne)

Guiseppe Garibaldi arrived in England at Southampton for what was to become a twenty-five day stay in the country.  He was feted with huge crowds and entertained by aristocracy and dignitaries, as well as delegations of working men, wherever he went.  He spend two weeks in London, and on his last night there had a long private conversation with the Prince of Wales.  He left by yacht for Italy on April 28, 1864 after a remarkable visit.  (By John Osborne) 

Along the traditional course from Putney to Mortlake on the River Thames in west London, the crew from Oxford beat the Cambridge Eight in the twenty-first Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. With a winning margin of twenty-three seconds, and with royalty in attendance for the first time at the contest in the person of the Price of Wales, Oxford took the lead in the series, eleven races to ten.  (By John Osborne)