The Way back.....
Prepare to immerse yourself in an intriguing realm of historical knowledge, designed just for you to discover fascinating monthly historical facts. Don't miss out—take a look at this months history!
July
On July 5, 1687, Sir Isaac Newton shook up the science scene with his mind-blowing "Principia," spilling the beans on his epic laws of motion and gravity.
Fast forward to July 2, 1644, when the Battle of Marston Moor kicked off, giving the English Parliamentarians a high-five in the Civil War.
Then boom! July 4, 1776, the United States ditched British rule with Thomas Jefferson's mic-drop Declaration of Independence, sparking the epic party we now call Independence Day.
Turning the clock to July 1, 1916, the Battle of the Somme went down as a dark chapter in World War I, with the British Army facing a gut-wrenching loss of 20,000 heroes in one brutal showdown.
August
Back in 1945, the U.S. dropped a mind-blowing atomic bomb on Hiroshima during the chaos of World War II. The colossal blast tragically snatched away about 80,000 lives in an instant. Just three days later, boom! Another bomb hit Nagasaki, nudging Japan to throw in the towel.
India throws the ultimate bash on August 15th each year. Back in 1947, after nearly a century of British rule, they finally broke free! The Indian Independence Act of July 18, 1947, set the stage for a brand new Indian nation, and the rest is history. It's a day filled with pride, honoring the epic journey of the Indian Independence Movement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan pops the confetti as it marks the birth of its own sovereign nation, cutting ties with the United Kingdom. Thanks to the Indian Independence Act of 1947, Pakistan was born, with West Pakistan (hello, present-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in tow. The Pakistan Movement, led by the legendary Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the All-India Muslim League, were the true heroes of this historic tale.
Tragically in 1944, the Nazis discovered the hiding place of 15-year-old Jewish diarist Anne Frank and her family and were sent to concentration camps. The only surviving family member as Ann's father Otto Frank.
September
On September 2, 1666, the Great Fire of London erupted in a bakery on Pudding Lane near London Bridge. Fueled by winds, it turned into an uncontrollable blaze, rampaging through the city.
On September 1, 1939, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany invaded neighboring Poland, triggering World War II.
World War II finally concluded on September 2 in 1945, with Japan’s surrender.
Black September refers to two historical events:
Jordanian Civil War (1970):
This conflict was also known as Black September, occurred between Jordan, led by King Hussein, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), led by Yasser Arafat. The fighting took place in September when Jordanian military fought against Palestine guerrillas, which saw thousands of people killed and the expulsion of the PLO from Jordan.
Black September Organization (BSO):
Black September was named after the Jordanian Civil War, this militant faction of the Palestinian organisation Fatah was formed in 1971, the organisation is know for the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre.
October
King Henry III was born on October 1, 1207, at Winchester Castle. He ascended the throne at the tender age of nine after the death of his father, King John, in 1216. Henry's reign was marked by a long period of rebuilding and consolidation following the tumultuous years of his father's rule. He was known for his deep religious faith, which influenced many of his decisions throughout his reign.
The birth of the escalator opens in Earl Court London in 1911. It was an engineering marvel of its time, sparking both curiosity and excitement among the public. The moving staircase, a novel concept, promised to revolutionize the way people navigated large buildings, offering a glimpse into the future of urban transit.
In 1922, Benito Mussolini assumed the role of prime minister of Italy, marking him as the first of Europe’s fascist dictators in the 20th century.
In 1925, the first television transmission of a moving image is made by the Scottish inventor John Logie Baird.
Harry Houdini, who died in 1926 from a stomach injury, remains a celebrated figure in magic and entertainment. Renowned for his escape acts, such as freeing himself from underwater shackles and sealed coffins, he captivated audiences and cemented his status as the ultimate escape artist.
November
On November 2, 1936, the British Broadcasting Corporation kicked off the world’s very first regular TV service, and guess what? A whopping 100 curious TV owners tuned in for the big show!
On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth—who would wear the crown as Queen Elizabeth II—tied the knot with her cousin, Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten (the Duke of Edinburgh), in a royal bash at Westminster Abbey! Talk about a family reunion with a crown jewel twist!
On November 22, 1963, the world grieves the shocking announcement of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas, Texas.
On November 25, 1984, a fabulous flock of rock stars, dubbed Band Aid, gathered at Sarm Studios in London to belt out "Do They Know It's Christmas." Their mission? To sprinkle some holiday magic by directing all proceeds to help tackle the Ethiopian famine! Talk about a star-studded charity jam!
January
On January 1, 1660 Samuel Pepys started his renowned diary, documenting life in London, including events like the Great Plague of 1664-65 and the Great Fire of 1666.
On January 1st 1877, Queen Victoria was declared Empress of India.
On January 1st 1959, Fidel Castro took control in Cuba following a revolution that ousted Dictator Fulgencio Batista, subsequently establishing a Communist regime.
On January 1st 1999, Eleven European countries commenced using the Euro as their new single currency for electronic financial and business transactions. These countries included Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
On January 19th 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected as the prime minister of India, succeeding Lal Shastri. She held office until 1975 and returned to power from 1980 until her assassination in 1984 by her own bodyguards. Following her death, her only surviving son, Rajiv, took on the role of prime minister.
On January 30th, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg. Hitler went on to become the leader of Nazi Germany. He then waged a war in Europe, seeing the deaths of an estimated 50 million persons through military conflict and through the Holocaust.
December
On the 24th December 1508, London houses receive piped water again for the first time in over a thousand years, since the departure of the Romans.
On the 20th December 1803, The United States doubles in size when it acquired 88831,321 square miles of land from France for $15 million, this is known as The Louisiana Purchase.
On the 10th December 1901, The first Nobel Peace Prizes were awarded worth $30,000 each. Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, had died five years earlier leaving the fortune he had amassed from his invention of dynamite, to the awarding foundation.
On the 23rd December, 1922 the world’s first regular entertainment radio broadcasts are transmitted by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
On the 11th December 1936, Britain’s King Edward VIII renounces the throne in a radio broadcast to the nation. After the broadcast he boarded a ship to set off into the sunset with the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson in France.
February
On February 1st, 1901, the royal yacht Alberta carried the body of Queen Victoria into Portsmouth Harbour. The Queen, who passed away at the age of 82 on January 22 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, was being transported for her funeral in London the following day.
On February 8th, 1587, Mary Queen of Scots, was executed on the orders of her cousin, England’s Queen Elizabeth I.
On February 11th, 1975, Margaret Thatcher, famously nicknamed "The Iron Lady," became the first female leader of the British Conservative Party.
On February 16th, 1659, Britain saw the first recorded use of a cheque when Mr. Nicholas Vanacker used it to settle a debt.
On February 21st, 1804, British engineer Richard Trevithick showcased the first steam engine designed to run on rails, marking a groundbreaking moment in railway history.
On February 26th, 1797, the Bank of England issued its very first one-pound note. This was partly prompted by the panic in London caused by the French invasion of Fishguard.
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