Today in History

[Gemini]

1998

There was chaos in Staffordshire, when animal rights activists release around 6,000 animals from a mink farm. Mink are now devastating British wildlife, so it was not a particularly wise or humanitarian move!

[Gemini]

2014

The world famous golf club, the Royal & Ancient at St. Andrews, voted overwhelmingly to end its 260-year ban on female members, with immediate effect.

2014!!!

[Daisy]

Shocking - in this day and age!

[Gemini]

1970

The first Glastonbury Festival was held at Michael Eavis's farm in Glastonbury, starring T. Rex. The first festivals in the 1970s were influenced by hippie ethics and the free festival movement.
Glastonbury Tor is at the focal point of the many mysteries that have surrounded the area for millennia.

[Daisy]

Gem - I would have loved to have been there. I would also have loved to have been able to spend time in San Fransisco enjoying flower power and the summer of love (although since I got married in the summer of love I think I was on the right wave length!).

[Gemini]

1997

Elton John started a six week run at No.1 in the UK singles chart with "Candle in the Wind '97'' as a tribute to Princess Diana. It became the best-selling single of all time.

[Gemini]

1955

Independent Television (ITV) began operating. Only six minutes of advertisements were allowed each hour and there was no Sunday morning TV permitted. The first advertisement screened was for Gibbs SR toothpaste.

[Daisy]

I don't think there was any day-time tv in those days. I think BBC Children's hour in the afternoon was the first programme of the day. Or were there daytime programmes on commercial tv - we couldn't get it for ages.

[Gemini]

1974

The world's first Ceefax teletext service was begun by the BBC.

I remember my dad seemed keen on Ceefax.

[Daisy]

Gem - I've got a friend who used it to the very end when BBC stopped offering it about 9 or 10 years ago!

[Gemini]

1975

The world's highest mountain, Mount Everest, was successfully scaled for the first time via its southwest face by British climbers Dougal Haston and Doug Scott.

[Gemini]

1885

It snowed in London - the earliest recorded winter fall despite reports that on 12th June 1791 snow was sighted over the capital.

[Gemini]

1955

Frozen Birdseye fish fingers first went on sale in Britain.

[Daisy]

I used to be so thankful for Bird's Eye Fish Fingers - my very picky DS1 loved them. He'd even eat them for breakfast.

[Gemini]

1968

The musical Hair, (which took advantage of the end of British stage censorship by including a scene cast in the nude), had its first London performance. It played 1,998 performances until its closure was forced by the roof collapsing in July 1973.