Langston Hughes champions racial equality
On this day in 1903 the American poet Langston Hughes was born. Hughes was of mixed race and was highly influential in the Harlem Renaissance.... Read More
Norman Mailer, author and impaler
On this day in 1923 the American author Norman Mailer was born. Mailer was one of a group of writers that included Hunter S. Thompson,... Read More
King Charles I loses his head
On this day in 1649 King Charles I of England was beheaded at Whitehall Palace. It was a cold day and Charles wore two shirts... Read More
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has more than one theme
On this day in 1595 the first performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet took place. This tale of teenage love, violence and death is the... Read More
Jane Austen writes a novel
On this day in 1813 Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice was published. Like all her work, it was read aloud to her family most... Read More
Mozart meets Marie Antoinette
On this day in 1756 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg. His loving father quickly realised that Wolfgang and his sister were exceptionally talented... Read More
Thomas Lovell Beddoes’ obsession with death
On this day in 1849 the English poet Thomas Lovell Beddoes poisoned himself in Basel, Switzerland, aged 45. Beddoes grew up in Bristol and was... Read More