Today in History

[Daisy]

I vaguely remember it - mainly because a friend's son had spent two years with the British Antarctic Survey and she had described how vast and uncharted a lot of the area is.

[Gemini]

1606

English entrepreneurs set sail in the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery to establish a colony at Jamestown, Virginia, the first of the thirteen colonies that became the United States.

[Daisy]

They must have been very brave - it was such a huge step into the unknown.

[Gemini]

1928

Harry Ramsden started his fish and chip restaurant in a hut at White Cross - Guiseley, near Bradford in West Yorkshire. It soon became the most famous fish and chip restaurant in the world. In 2012 the restaurant was acquired by the fish and chip chain 'Wetherby Whaler' and they gave this name to the new restaurant.

[Daisy]

The iconic fish and chip supper! You still can't beat it.

[Gemini]

1965

The government introduced an 'experimental' speed limit of 70mph on motorways in England. The limit is still in force.

[Gemini]

2013

Grandfather John McCafferty (71) entered the record books as the world's longest-surviving heart transplant patient at 30 years, 11 months and 11 days. At the time of his heart transplant in 1982 he was told that he might expect to live for another five years if the procedure was a success.

[Gemini]

1922


The BBC broadcast 'The Truth About Father Christmas' by Phillis M Twigg, the first play written for radio in Britain.

[Gemini]

1934

The first Test Match for women’s cricket was between Australia and England and was held at Brisbane. England beat Australia 2–0 in a three-Test series, with the final match drawn.

[Gemini]

1923

The chimes of Big Ben were broadcast on radio for the first time by the BBC.

[Oma]

You don't think of them never being heard by the nation before then do you ,

[Daisy]

Oma, you're right. We just take them for granted. Although a lot of people probably had chiming clocks with Westminster chimes.

[Gemini]

1961

The production of the millionth Morris Minor, designed by the Greek born Sir Alec Issigonis. He considered the Morris Minor to be a vehicle that combined many of the luxuries and conveniences of a good motor car, but at a price suitable for the working classes.

[Daisy]

My FIL had a Morris Minor - they were so well built, and very economical, although I think we'd think they were like tanks these days!

[Gemini]

1972

Rose Heilbron became Britain’s first woman judge at the Old Bailey.
Her career included many 'firsts' for a woman - she was the first woman to win a scholarship to Gray's Inn, the first woman to be appointed King's Counsel in England, the first to lead in a murder case, the first woman Recorder, the first woman judge to sit at the Old Bailey and the first woman Treasurer of Gray's Inn.