Today in History

[Gemini]

1844

The first UK press telegram was sent, to The Times, announcing the birth of Prince Alfred to Queen Victoria.

[Oma]

We have come a long way with communications since them days 😁

[Daisy]

Oma, we certainly have.

I can just about remember the telegraph boys on their bikes delivering messages. Sadly it was often bad news for the recipient.

[Gemini]

1949

Big Ben ran at its slowest for 90 years as flocks of starlings took roost on the minute hands, slowing it by four and a half minutes.

[Gemini]

1979

The Fastnet Yacht Race was struck by tragedy when Force 10 gales and mountainous seas claimed the lives of 15 sailors and 3 rescuers. It was the worst disaster in the history of ocean yacht racing and the biggest rescue operation launched by UK authorities since the Second World War . 75 boats capsized, 5 sank and 24 crews abandoned ship. Only 85 yachts out of the 303 entries reached the finish line.

How very sad

[Daisy]

Gem, I met one of the people who was involved with the enquiry following this tragedy, and it was his opinion that all but one of the unfortunate victims could have been saved if they had all stayed with their yachts rather than abandoning them. It was such a catastrophe and the memories of it have stayed with the sailing community around here.

[Gemini]

2004

Flash floods devastated the north Cornwall coastal village of Boscastle after the area's average August rainfall fell in just two hours.

[Daisy]

I didn't realise that was 20 years ago - I remember seeing the tv picutres of the raging torrent of water sweeping everything in its path.

[Plantaholic]

We visited when it had been almost back to normal.

[Oma]

Didn’t think it was 20 years , seems not so long ago doesnt it . How time flys

[Gemini]

1783

A huge fireball meteor was seen across Britain. Analysis of observations indicated that the meteor entered the Earth's atmosphere over the North Sea, before passing over the east coast of Scotland and England and the English Channel. It finally broke up, after a passage within the atmosphere of around a thousand miles over south-western France or northern Italy.

[Gemini]

1788

The British settlement in Sierra Leone was founded, the purpose of which was to secure a home in Africa for freed slaves.

[Gemini]

2005

Hilary Lister, from Kent, became the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the English Channel. She achieved this by using controls powered by her breath to navigate her boat and made the crossing in six hours thirteen minutes.

[Oma]

Such an inspirational woman.

[Gemini]

1936

Over 7,000 people queued to see the first high definition television pictures on sets at the Olympia Radio Show, west London. The pictures were transmitted by the BBC from Alexandra Palace, introduced by Leslie Mitchell, their first announcer.