Today in History

[Gemini]

1926

The first directional road markings were introduced onto British roads (Hyde Park Corner, London). They caused confusion and led to seven accidents on the first day.

[Gemini]

1989

For the first time, both the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race crews entered the event with women coxes. The race was won by Oxford.

[Gemini]

2014

Same sex weddings in England and Wales became legal, several months earlier than had been planned.

[Gemini]

2002

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, (born August 4th 1900), died peacefully in her sleep, aged 101.

[Gemini]

2000

The Enigma machine, used by the Germans to encrypt messages in the Second World War, was stolen from Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire and a ransom was demanded for its return. The ransom was not paid, but in October 2000 the machine was sent, anonymously and with three of its rotors missing, to BBC journalist Jeremy Paxman.

[Daisy]

Gem, I had completely forgotten about this.

[Gemini]

1043

Edward the Confessor was crowned King of England in Winchester Cathedral.
He was regarded as one of the national saints of England until King Edward III adopted Saint George as patron saint in about 1350.

[Gemini]

1993

Following public disquiet, Queen Elizabeth II began paying income tax.

[Gemini]

1997

The results of the first ultrasonic scan of the front of the Titanic revealed a series of six short slits as the principal damage to the ship after it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic in 1912. There is a memorial in Southampton to the 35 engineer officers who battled to keep Titanic afloat during her fated maiden voyage

[Gemini]

1483

The young Edward V acceded to the throne on the death of Edward IV. The boy was murdered in the Tower 75 days later, on 25th June.

[Gemini]

1633

Bananas went on display in Thomas Johnson's shop window in London. This was the first time the fruit had been seen in Britain.

[Plantaholic]

Really was it that long ago.

[Daisy]

1997

The results of the first ultrasonic scan of the front of the Titanic revealed a series of six short slits as the principal damage to the ship after it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic in 1912. There is a memorial in Southampton to the 35 engineer officers who battled to keep Titanic afloat during her fated maiden voyage

Gem, I've seen that memorial. There are separate memorials all over Southampton water front for different trades that worked on that ill-fated voyage - chefs and kitchen staff, engine room staff, laundry/housekeeping workers, and lots more. It's very interesting, but incredibly sad.

[Gemini]

1912

The formation of the Royal Flying Corps (later incorporated into the RAF).

[Gemini]

1989

Police in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, revealed that violent prisoners were being put into a bright pink cell which seemed to have a calming effect. The colour was named Baker-Miller Pink after the police chief and psychologist who thought up the idea.