Tag Archives: London

February 2, 1349

On February 2, 1349, London, England was burying at least 200 people a day as a result of the Bubonic Plague. This disease had a mortality rate of over 80% if contracted. In 2020, many people in America were going, “This Corona Virus isn’t a real… Continue reading

Posted in 14th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

August 8, 1969

On August 8, 1969, at a zebra crossing in London, England, photographer Iain Macmillan was able to capture with a photo the most famous image of four Beatles crossing a road in history. No actual zebras or beetles were harmed in… Continue reading

Posted in 20th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

July 1, 1858

On July 1, 1858, a joint reading of Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace’s papers on evolution was given to the Linnean Society in London, England. They all agreed that the papers and research were well thought out and… Continue reading

Posted in 19th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

June 19, 240 BCE

On June 19, 240 BCE, Greek philosopher and scientist, Eratosthenes, estimated the circumference of the Earth using two sticks and got pretty darned close to its actual value. Today in the world, there are actually people who… Continue reading

Posted in BCE, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

January 11, 1770

On January 11, 1770, the first shipment of rhubarb was sent to the United States from London, England. The English had obviously decided that the Americans weren’t suffering enough being a colony and needed to be forced to eat a plant that couldn’t even be made into a tasty pie. It does not taste like … Continue reading

Posted in 18th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

October 17, 1814

On October 17, 1814, the unthinkable happened in the London parish of St. Giles. A brewery tank ruptured and flooded the parish with 140,000 gallons of beer. Hundreds were injured and nine people drowned. The drowned included three Irishmen and five Americans. Authorities believed the Irishmen and Americans might have survived if they hadn’t kept … Continue reading

Posted in 19th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

September 5, 2003

On September 5, 2003, “magician” David Blaine had himself encased in a clear plastic box. This box was then suspended by a crane over the banks of the River Thames. He remained there until October 19 while he went without food. He only allowed himself to have water to drink. The Londoners were unimpressed. As … Continue reading

Posted in 21st Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

August 31, 1888

On August 31, 1888, the police of London, England found the body of Mary Ann Nichols, the first confirmed kill of Jack the Ripper. The world’s current fascination with serial killers was born this day.

Posted in 19th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

July 13, 1871

On July 13, 1871, Harrison Weir organized the first championship cat show, also known as a Cat Fancy. The show was held at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, London, England. The cats were judged on several criteria, including overall catness and catness as exhibited by Breed. Some of the athletic events included speed of climbing to … Continue reading

Posted in 19th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

February 24, 1807

On February 24, 1807, in London, England, approximately 40 thousand people gathered at Newgate Prison to watch the hanging of John Holloway, Owen Heggerty and Elizabeth Godfrey. Holloway and Heggerty had been convicted for the murder of lavender-water shop owner John Cole Steele and were scheduled to hang, even though they were protesting their innocence … Continue reading

Posted in 19th Century, Historical Facts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment