Archaeologists from the University of Leicester have discovered the first evidence for Julius Caesar’s invasion of Britain in 54BC. Continue reading “First Evidence for Caesar’s Invasion of Britain Discovered”
On This Day – 23 November 1644
Areopagitica; A speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, to the Parlament of England is a 1644 prose polemical* tract by the English poet, scholar, and polemical author John Milton opposing licensing and censorship. Continue reading “1644 – John Milton publishes Areopagitica, a pamphlet decrying censorship”
On This Day – 14 November 1941
The HMS Ark Royal was sunk
Commissioned in November 1938, the HMS Ark Royal was sunk less than three years later on 14 November 1941 by the German U-81. The HMS Ark Royal was an innovative Royal Navy aircraft carrier serving during WWII, the first on which the flight deck and hangers were an integral part of the hull.
12 December
The Batang Kali massacre was the killing of 24 unarmed villagers by British troops on this day in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency. The incident occurred during counter-insurgency operations against Malay and Chinese communists in Malaya – then a colony of the British Crown. It was described as “Britain’s My Lai” in Christopher Hale’s Massacre in Malaya: exposing Britain’s My Lai. Despite several investigations by the British government since the 1950s, and a re-examination of the evidence by the Royal Malaysia Police between 1993 and 1997, no charges were brought against any of the alleged perpetrators.
9 December
Coronation Street is a British soap opera created by Granada Television and shown on ITV since 1960. The programme centres on Coronation Street in Weatherfield, a fictional town based on Salford, its terraced houses, café, corner shop, newsagents, textile factory and The Rovers Return pub. The fictional street was built in the early 1900s and named in honour of the coronation of King Edward VII. Continue reading “1960 – The first episode of Coronation Street is broadcast in the United Kingdom”
5 December
The Great Smog of ’52 was a severe air-pollution event that affected London during December 1952. A period of cold weather, combined with an anticyclone and windless conditions, collected airborne pollutants mostly from the use of coal to form a thick layer of smog over the city. It lasted from Friday 5 December to Tuesday 9 December 1952, and then dispersed quickly after a change of weather. Continue reading “1952 – The Great Smog of ’52”
28 November
Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess Astor, (19 May 1879 – 2 May 1964) was the first female Member of Parliament to take her seat. Continue reading “1919 – Lady Astor is elected as a Member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom”
Archaeologists at the University of Sheffield working with colleagues from the University of Manchester and University College London have discovered that some ancient Briton burials are consistent with a prehistoric mummy from northern Yemen. Continue reading “Mummification more common and widespread than previously believed.”
2 September – Shifting US Policy
Following the agreement made in July and later detailed negotiations, a deal is now ratified between Britain and the USA. Continue reading “WWII The 75th Anniversary”
September 1940 – Battle of the Atlantic
British problems in coastal waters increase when German E-Boats (see below) now begin major operations off the east coast of the British Isles. Continue reading “WWII The 75th Anniversary”
31 August – The Battle of Britain
This is the RAF’s most difficult period of the battle. The Luftwaffe were now in measurable distance of achieving their objective of air superiority over south-east England. Continue reading “WWII The 75th Anniversary”
30 August – The Battle of Britain
German attacks intensify, many airfields are hit … Continue reading “WWII The 75th Anniversary”
29 August – Battle of Britain
Luftwaffe attacks continue today … Continue reading “WWII The 75th Anniversary”
Did you know?
Modern depictions of Catherine of Aragon seem obsessed with one aspect of her … she was ‘Spanish’. This means that she must have looked stereotypically ‘Spanish’, dark hair and eyes and olive complexion. It could not be further from the truth …. Continue reading “Catherine of Aragon”
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