Today in History

[Gemini]

1939

In anticipation of German bombing, the great evacuation of children from British cities began, four days before the outbreak of World War II.

[Gemini]

1997

Diana, Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed, and their driver were killed in a car crash in the Place de l'Alma underpass in Paris, France. Tests conducted by French police indicated that the driver was intoxicated, may have been travelling at over 100 mph and likely caused the accident while trying to escape the paparazzi photographers

[Clover]

Seems like yesterday!

[Daisy]

I think it's one of those events we will always remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard about it.

[Gemini]

1878

Over 640 died when the crowded paddle steamer Princess Alice collided with the Bywell Castle in the River Thames. It was the greatest loss of life in any Thames shipping disaster

[Clover]

It always surprises me that vessels can collide on rivers. I would have thought that visibility would be good, even in the dark as conditions aren't likely to be rough. I suppose though in fog or without reliable look-outs anything is possible.

[Daisy]

1997

Princess Diana's funeral. Over 2.5 billion people world-wide watched it on television. Were you one of them?

[Clover]

Yes I was. The way all the flowers were thrown at the hearse was incredible. The driver must have had a hard time seeing through them all. My heart went out to William and Harry who had to be so composed in public.

[Daisy]

Clover - I thought William and Harry were incredible too. It did cross my mind that might have been given tranquillisers or something to help them cope with such an awful day. I can remember the scene where the hearse eventually stopped and the flowers were removed from the bonnet.

[Gemini]

I did watch it. Upstairs on my bed, and sobbed all the way through it. One of my cats (no longer with us) absorbed a lot of my tears . I thought Wiliam and Harrys bravery was amazing.

[Daisy]

Gem - I was sad but ok watching it until in the service they sang the hymn 'Make me a channel of your Peace' which was my mum's favourite hymn and we had had that at her funeral.

[Nanto2girls]

15th Anniversary of 9/11

I can remember that day as if it was yesterday. I know where I was and what I was doing.

[Gemini]

1989

Britain's biggest ever banking computer error gave customers an extra £2 billion in a period of 30 minutes; 99.3 per cent of the money was reportedly returned.

[Daisy]

Gem - I'd forgotten about that incident. OH was working for a bank at the time and as you can imagine it was a hot topic of conversation!

[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.