On This Day – New Albion, a Bomb, and a Mac

Cornish Rebellion – Update

1497 The Battle of Deptford Bridge (also known as the Battle of Blackheath) took place on this day. Forces under King Henry VII were victorious in what was the culminating event of the Cornish Rebellion. After carefully spreading rumours that he would attack on the following Monday, Henry moved against the Cornish at dawn on his ‘lucky day’ which was Saturday (17 June). By 2pm, Henry had returned to the City in triumph, knighting deserving parties on the way, and accepted the acclamation of the Mayor followed by a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s.

New Albion

1579 Francis Drake anchored the Golden Hind just north of what would one day be San Francisco Bay, California and proclaimed England’s sovereignty over an area he named New Albion.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Wesley

1703 The birth of John Wesley, English evangelist who initiated the Methodist societies and brought about an evangelical revival, not only in England, but also in North America.

The Victory at Bunker Hill

1775 In the War of American Independence, British troops won a victory at Bunker Hill north of Boston, Massachusetts.

Where Would We Be Without It?

1823 Charles Macintosh patented the waterproof cloth he used to make raincoats, after experimenting with waste rubber products from Glasgow’s new gas works.

Antiseptics

1867 Pioneer doctor Joseph Lister amputated a cancerous breast from his sister Isabella using carbolic acid as an antiseptic. The operation in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary was the first under antiseptic conditions.

The Finest Hour

1940 World War II: In a radio broadcast, Winston Churchill urged Britain to conduct herself so that this would be remembered as her finest hour.

The Tragedy of Lancastria

1940 World War II: The RMS Lancastria was sunk by the Luftwaffe near Saint-Nazaire, France. Over 4,000 lives were lost making it the worst ever loss of life in the sinking of a single British ship, and the bloodiest single engagement for UK forces (in terms of lives lost) in the whole of World War II. The sinking claimed more lives than the combined losses of the Titanic and Lusitania.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Livingstone

1945 The birth of Ken Livingstone, former Labour politician and the first Mayor of London.

(Personally, I thought Dick Whittington was the first, but apparently that’s a different post. The first Mayor of the City of London was Henry Fitz-Ailwin de Londonestone )

What A Sight That Must Have Been

1964 The first purpose-built floating trade fair docked at Tilbury in London with 22,000 samples of Japanese goods on board.

The Abomination Of An IRA Bomb…

1974 An IRA bomb exploded at the Houses of Parliament, causing extensive damage and injuring 11 people.

… And an US Nuclear Missile

1980 The locations for the first US nuclear missiles to be stored on British soil (at Greenham Common and Molesworth military bases) were revealed by the government.

Start Them Young

1982 Manchester United footballer Norman Whiteside became the youngest player to appear in the World Cup finals – playing for Northern Ireland against Yugoslavia in Spain. He was aged 17 years and 41 days.

Farewell Cardinal Hume

1999 The death of Cardinal Basil Hume, Roman Catholic Cardinal and Archbishop of Westminster.

 

On This Day – Farewell to Arts and Worzel Gummidge

Not Quite a Package Holiday

1191 English King Richard I ‘the Lion Heart’ conquered Cyprus on his way to join the Crusaders in north west Israel.

Gone West

1497 The Italian explorer John Cabot, commissioned by England, set sail from Bristol in his ship Matthew looking for a route to the west. At the time, Bristol was the only English city to have had a prior history of undertaking exploration expeditions out into the Atlantic.

York Minster on Fire

1840 York Minster was badly damaged by fire.

The Royal Albert Hall

1867 Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone for the Royal Albert Hall.

Chelsea Flower Show

1913 The first Chelsea Flower Show was held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, attracting around 200,000 visitors. The show started in 1827, moving to larger venues until it settled in Chelsea.

Not a Bad Idea

1958 The mayor and corporation of High Wycombe were weighed in, in full view of the public to see whether or not they had been getting fat at the taxpayers’ expense!

Armed Police

1965 The Chief Inspector of Constabularies announced that Britain’s police would be armed with tear gas guns and grenades for use against dangerous criminals, but that it would not be used for crowd control.

Farewell to Arts

1975 The death of Dame Barbara Hepworth, English sculptor. Her work exemplifies Modernism and, along with Henry Moore and others, she helped to develop modern art, sculpture in particular, in Britain.

Never on a Sunday

1985 The House of Commons agreed to consider Sunday Trading proposals.

The Maastricht Treaty

1993 Britain finally ratified the Maastricht Treaty which allowed greater co-operation between members of the European Union.

Good Bye Worzel Gummidge

1996 The death of actor John Pertwee, known for his role in the TV series Doctor Who and as the title character in the series Worzel Gummidge. He is also well known for his 18-year stint on BBC Radio as Chief Petty Officer Pertwee in The Navy Lark.