Edward Gibbon’s ‘Decline and Fall’ is relevant today
On this day in 1737 historian, Edward Gibbon was born. He is chiefly remembered for his amazing ‘History of the Decline and Fall of the... Read More
Walter de la Mare was a St Paul’s choirboy
On this day in 1873 English poet and writer Walter de la Mare was born. Jack (he did not like the name Walter) was the... Read More
Miguel de Cervantes was captured by pirates
On this day in 1616 Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes died aged 69. Cervantes had been a soldier and sailor in his youth and had... Read More
Albert Einstein wanted to die elegantly
On this day in 1955 Swiss physicist Albert Einstein died of an aneurism aged 76. He could have had surgery but refused, saying: “I want... Read More
Chaucer the Canterbury pilgrim, was he murdered?
On this day in 1397 Geoffrey Chaucer recounted the Canterbury Tales at the court of King Richard II of England. The Canterbury Tales put him... Read More
The Titanic – sinking of the unsinkable
On this day in 1912 the transatlantic steamship Titanic hit an iceberg and sank. One of the greatest peacetime maritime disasters, around 1500 people perished.... Read More
Yuri Gagarin fell to earth
On this day in 1961 Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space when he orbited the earth. Gagarin’s small size of 5ft... Read More