Europe
On this day: First Person to Swim the English Channel
On August 25, 1875, Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel, from Dover to Calais. His second attempt at the feat took him close to 22 hours, and while a straight-line swim would have…
On this day: Loch Ness Monster Legend Began
The legend of the Loch Ness Monster began on this day 1450 years ago, when Irish monk Columba banished a 'water beast' to the depths after it killed a man who had been swimming in the River Ness. (Although the…
On this day: The Mona Lisa Was Stolen
Call Inspector Clouseau! On August 21, 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre. The case was a mystery for two years until the thief (a museum employee who believed the painting belonged in Italy) was discovered when attempting…
On this day: St Isaac’s Cathedral Was Inaugurated
On August 19, 1768, St Isaac's Cathedral in St Petersburg was inaugurated. An estimated ten thousand tree trunks were embedded in the swampy ground to provide a stable base for the immense structure. Unfortunately the primitive spray-painting method used to…
The New Seven(ish) Wonders of the World
At the turn of the millennium, an effort was launched by a Swiss foundation to identify the 'New 7 Wonders of the World', through a "decidedly unscientific" polling method allowing the public to vote - online or by phone -…
On this day: Tivoli Gardens Opened
On August 15, 1843, Tivoli Gardens opened in Copenhagen. One of the oldest surviving theme parks in the world, this lovely enclave from a bustling city has something for everyone - rollercoasters and fairground attractions, gardens and restaurants, theatres and…
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