Today in History

[Gemini]

1969

The first episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus aired on BBC. In all, 45 episodes were created over four series, from 1969 to 1974, plus two episodes for German TV. The series' theme song was the first segment of John Philip Sousa's The Liberty Bell, chosen because it was in the public domain and was free to use without charge.

[Plantaholic]

I can hear the song in my head Oma

[Daisy]

Here it is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov1kjVvYpWk

[WeeGranny]

Thank you ladies! I'll be marching along for the rest of the day now!!!!

[Gemini]

1769

English explorer Captain James Cook, aboard the Endeavour, discovered New Zealand.

[Daisy]

That was such an amazing journey all those years ago.

[Gemini]

1977

Ninety sets of Swedish identical twins travelled to Felixstowe for a brief shopping trip!

[Gemini]

1999

A survey for the UK's National Farmer's Union discovered that pop music increased egg production in chickens!

[Daisy]

Gem - it's all that wiggling about to The Chicken Song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt81gzIAt18

[Gemini]

1976

The listing of the art-deco Midland Hotel in Morecambe, Lancashire. The hotel was built in 1933, by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). In its heyday it was 'the place' to stay and quickly attracted the wealthy middle classes. From 1988 the hotel stood derelict, but after major refurbishment the Midland re-opened its doors to the public in the summer of 2008.

[Daisy]

It was considered very posh!

[Gemini]

1940

Princess Elizabeth, aged 14, (now Queen Elizabeth II), made her first radio broadcast to child evacuees.

[Daisy]

She was expected to grow up very quickly, wasn't she.

[Gemini]

1666

Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary that Charles II had started wearing the first known waistcoat. The King was so overweight that he left the bottom button undone, a fashion custom followed to this day.


I remember my mum telling me abut this (Charles 2, not Samuel Pepys) when I was child.

[Gemini]

1987

Southern Britain began a massive clear-up operation after the worst night of storms in living memory. BBC Weatherman Michael Fish faced criticism, as he had reassured viewers that the worst of the stormy weather would be across Spain and France.