On this day in 1966, a few months prior to the World Cup in England, the Jules Rimet trophy was stolen from Westminster Central Hall in London.
The Football Association had received the trophy in January of 1966 ahead of the World Cup in July. The trophy was mostly kept at the FA’s headquarters in Lancaster Gate except for a couple of publicity events. In February, the Stanley Gibbons stamp company were granted permission to showcase the trophy at their exhibition held in Westminster Central Hall. The company assured that the trophy would be kept under guard 24/7.