The Second Severn Crossing was opened this day 1996, by Prince Charles

In July 1986, the Sec­re­taries of State for Trans­port and for Wales agreed to build a bridge across the Sev­ern Estu­ary to con­nect to the M4 on both banks, as well as to the M5 near Avonmouth.  It took 4 years to build at a cost of £330 mil­lion and is approx­i­mately 3.2 miles, car­rying three lanes of traf­fic in each direc­tion. 

As much of the estuary is mudflats at low tide, but at high tide can be covered by up to 14 metres of water, the engineers were presented with a unique set of problems and had to complete the work at times allowed by the tides.

Was Robin Hood a Welshman? 

Stephen Lawhead's book, "Hood" published this day 2006, claims that he was.

In his book, Lawhead tells of a wronged nobleman turned heroic outlaw and names him not as Robin of Sherwood, but Bran ap Brychan, who becomes the rightful heir to the kingdom of Elfael after his father is killed by the Normans, but he quickly becomes a marked man and makes his escape.  Lawhead suggests that Nottingham would have been too far and Sherwood Forest too small and well chartered, for him to hide, but he would have been able to remain undetected in the vast and then unknown forests of the Welsh March, where he meets the beautiful maiden Angharad, a wine-loving priest, a mysterious healer and a singing storyteller.  He steals from the rich in order to raise the money needed to buy back his kingdom and free his people, forced into slavery by their new ruler, Count Falkes de Braose.

Born this day 1941 in Newport

Stuart Watkins , Wales and Lions rugby international, best remembered for a match winning, 75-yard intercept try against France in 1966 and for being a member of the victorious Newport team against the All Blacks in 1963.

Born this day 1964 in Cwmafon, Neath

Lyn Jones , former wales rugby international, later head coach for the Ospreys, London Welsh and Director of Rugby for Newport Gwent Dragons.