United Kingdom
On this day: The First Boat Race
On June 10, 1829, the first Boat Race took place at Henley-on-Thames, when Cambridge confidently challenged Oxford to a race, only to be soundly beaten. It took a number of years for the race became a permanent fixture on the…
On this day: The Vauxhall Bridge Opened
On May 26, 1906, the new Vauxhall Bridge across the Thames in London opened. This was five years later than planned, as the process had to be delayed after somebody came to the (kind-of-important) realisation that the river bed couldn't…
On this day: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was Born
On May 22, 1859, the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh. 221B Baker Street is, of course, the residence of his most famous character Sherlock Homes. The address didn't actually exist until the street was extended in…
On this day: York Minster was Damaged by Fire
On May 20, 1840, an accidental fire damaged a large part of York Minster. Just one of a number of fires which have blighted the building over the centuries, this one in particular led the Church into serious debt and…
On this day: Talyllyn Railway
On May 14, 1951, the Talyllyn Railway became the first line in the world to be preserved as a heritage railway by volunteers. Trains doubtless run closer to schedule than any other railway in the UK.
On this day: Florence Nightingale was Born
On May 12, 1820, Florence Nightingale was born in the Italian city which she was named after. Known as 'the lady with the lamp' for her night-time nursing rounds during the Crimean War, there are several statues in her honour,…
Sharing statistics
Share this site