Today in History

[Daisy]

I bet whoever invented those first traffic lights had no idea what an essential pain in the neck they'd become!

[Gemini]

1936

After ruling for less than one year, Edward VIII becomes the first English monarch to voluntarily abdicate the throne. Edward planned to marry divorcee Mrs. Wallis Simpson and, before he left for France, he made a final radio broadcast to the nation. He was succeeded by his brother, George, who became George VI.

[Daisy]

It's hard now for us to understand what a major shock to the nation Edward VIII's abdication was. How times have changed, mostly for the better, I think.

[Gemini]

1843

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, was published.

[Gemini]

1982

Erica Rowe became the first sports 'streaker' when she ran across the Twickenham ground at the England v Australia rugby match waving her bra in the air. She was arrested, with policemen covering her 40" breasts with their woefully undersized helmets.

[Daisy]

She gained immortality in one daring act!!!

[Gemini]

1928

Four people were drowned, and many paintings in the basement of the Tate Gallery were severely damaged, when the Thames flooded. The water was deep enough to fill the moat of the Tower of London.

[Daisy]

We think it's been wet lately - but not that bad, hopefully! Perhaps we just have been flood defences these days.

[Daisy]

18th January 1215

King John signed the Magna Carta at Runnymede, near Windsor

[Gemini]

1799

Edward Jenner's smallpox vaccination was introduced. His work on vaccination prevented him from continuing with his ordinary medical practice. Supported by his colleagues and the King he petitioned Parliament and was granted £10,000 for his work on vaccination. In 1806 he was granted another £20,000 for his ongoing work in microbiology.

[Daisy]

And he did all that without the benefit of electron microscopes and all the other high-tech research devices that are available now.

[Gemini]

1955

Fourteen people died and dozens were injured when an express train travelling from York to Bristol derailed at Sutton Coldfield station

(I didn't know about this - but I was only 7 months old!)

[Gemini]

1983

It became compulsory in Britain to wear car seat belts.

[Daisy]

We take it so much for granted now to 'belt up'.

[Gemini]

1984

British ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the ice dance gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, gaining maximum points for artistic expression.