Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough John chose Sarah over Catherine Sedley, but both John's and Sarah's families disapproved of the match, therefore they married secretly in the winter of 1677–78. John and Sarah were both Protestants in a predominantly Catholic court, a circumstance that would influence their political allegiances. Although no date was recorded, the marriage was announced only to the Duchess of York, and a small circle of friends, so that Sarah could keep her court position as Maid of Honour. When Sarah became pregnant, her marriage was announced publicly (on 1 October 1678), and she retired from the court to give birth to
Cathy Ferguson set a world record over 200m the previous month, she thus became the record holder at both backstroke distances. She also set two world records in the medley relay the second of these coming at the Tokyo Olympics where she was a member of the winning U.S. team. Ferguson was a student at Burbank High School in Burbank, California, when she became an Olympic champion. Ferguson was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1978. Cathy Ferguson Cathy Jane Ferguson (born July 22, 1948) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and former