Articles on Events in History (Oct - Dec)
Ford Puts Millions in the Driving Seat
Henry Ford's Model T rolled off the assembly line on this day in automotive history, bringing affordable motoring to millions.
October 1, 1908
The Tragic and Fatal Secret of Rock Hudson
He was seen as the ultimate ladies' man, but Hollywood actor Rock Hudson, who died on this day, was secretly gay and became the first major star to die of AIDS.
October 2, 1985
Elvis Comes Fifth in Talent Show
Elvis Presley made his first public appearance as a singer on this day. It did not go well: he came fifth in a local talent show. But he was only ten years old.
October 3, 1945
Barking Mad! Puppies Slain to Cure Leg Injury
Charles Darwin shocked the world in 1859 with his evolution theory. Today, it's his writings about practices in the 19th Century that will shock many modern readers.
October 3, 1833
Gregory Conquers Julius Caesar
The calendar invented by Julius Caesar was to endure for 1,600 years, but it was finally discarded when Pope Gregory XIII came up with a more accurate version.
October 4, 1582
Wedding Day for 'Diamond Eye' Cats
Two ‘lucky’ cats were treated to a $28,000 ‘wedding’ by their grateful owner on this day, with 500 human guests who brought gifts worth an incredible $60,000.
October 5, 1996
Jazz Singer Sounds Death Knell for Silent Movies
The Jazz Singer was premiered on this day and audiences were thrilled to hear Al Jolson talking. The pioneer film spelled the end for the silent-movie industry.
October 6, 1927
Lepanto – The Battle That Saved Europe
The Christian West was saved from defeat by the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Lepanto on this day, the most important naval engagement in human history.
October 7, 1571
The Great Stand on the Ugra River
On one side of the Ugra River stood the Mongol Golden Horde, on the other, Ivan III, Grand Prince of the rising Muscovy Principality. At stake, everything.
October 8, 1480
Lutine – The Ship That Refuses To Give Up Her Treasure
The British Navy ship HMS Lutine was carrying a fortune in silver and gold bullion when it foundered in a storm on this day. The treasure was lost forever.
October 9, 1799
Writer Becomes a Prisoner of Love
In his youth novelist George Gissing sparkled with literary and academic promise. But his choice of female partners led to anguish, poverty and even prison.
October 10, 1894
Defender of the Faith Henry Rejects Rome
A Pope awarded the title Defender of the Faith to King Henry VIII on this day for staunchly defending the Pontiff’s values. But there was to be an ironic twist.
October 11, 1521
Edith Cavell – England’s Heroine Nurse
Without fear or favour nurse Edith Cavell tended the wounded in war-torn Europe. She also helped soldiers escape and sadly paid the ultimate price on this day.
October 12, 1915
Question that Wrecked Sir Henry Irving’s Marriage
Sir Henry Irving, considered the greatest actor of his time, died on this day. His unexpected death shocked and saddened England and fans around the world.
October 13, 1905
Grim History of London's Speakers' Corner
Nowhere in England is the principal of free speech embodied more than at Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park. But this right was won through death and protest.
October 14, 1855
Hurricane on the Way? Don't Worry
A cosy assurance from a BBC weather forecaster for viewers not to worry about an impending storm has gone down as the most spectacular mis-forecast in history.
October 15, 1987
Lenient Lion Remembered for 375 Years
A lion spared a businessman who prayed on his knees on this day and the event is still being celebrated in an ancient London church three centuries later.
October 16, 1643
Chopin: The Day the Music Died
The brief life of Chopin, one of music’s earliest superstars, ended on this day when the sickly composer fell victim to tuberculosis. He was just 39.
October 17, 1849
Women And Politics: The Passions of Palmerston
Queen Victoria had an intense dislike for her Prime Minister Lord Palmerston. But other women took a quite different view of the man dubbed ‘Lord Cupid’.
October 18, 1865
Sculptor’s Brainwave Produces Amazing Memorial
How do you commemorate Thomas Browne, one of the great thinkers of the 17th Century who was born on this day? Well, why not a giant sculpture of his brain?
October 19, 1605
Prince of Wales Gallops Out of Horseracing After Scandal
Once regarded as the ‘first gentleman of Europe’, the lifestyle of a former Prince of Wales caused revulsion, starting with a horseracing scandal on this day.
October 20, 1791
The Tragedy of Aberfan
One hundred and sixteen young children died on this day when an avalanche of coal tip waste and debris thundered down a hillside and engulfed their school.
October 21, 1966
Jumping Jacques Makes First Parachute Descent
Daredevil André-Jacques Garnerin took to the sky in a hydrogen balloon on this day and after cutting himself adrift performed the first ‘parachute’ descent.
October 22, 1797
Test of Time for the Date of Creation
The assertion by a 17th Century bishop that the universe was created on this day in the year 4004 BC was put to the test in a famous trial in the United States.
October 23, 4004 BC
The 17 Year-Old Witness to the Eruption of Vesuvius
17 year-old Pliny the Younger's account of the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii made the event famous long after Pompeii was buried and forgotten.
October 24, 79 AD
Another Panic, Another Market Crash
Wall Street was gripped by panic on this day. It was not the first time nor the last. Anything from railways to a pandemic can cause a crash, it seems.
October 24, 1929
The Charge of the Light Brigade, a Brave and Foolish Tale
The Charge of the Light Brigade is infamous as an act of bravery in the face all insurmountable odds. An event immortalized in poetry by Alfred Tennyson.
October 25, 1854
The Gunfight at OK Corral
Said to have lasted just 30 seconds, the gunfight at OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, is remembered as one of the great shootouts in the annals of the Wild West
October 26, 1881
The Man Who Saved The World
Many people think John F. Kennedy saved the world with his handling of the Cuban missile crisis. But an unknown Russian sailor also played a dramatic role.
October 27, 1962
Faraday, the Blacksmith's Boy Who Changed the World
On this day, Michael Faraday, known to science as the Father of Electricity, demonstrated his dynamo invention. It was to have huge, far-reaching consequences.
October 28, 1831
'Splendid Achievement' becomes the 'Road To Hell'
London's orbital road, the M25 was hailed as a splendid achievement by PM Margaret Thatcher when she opened it on this day. But it soon developed another nickname...
October 29, 1986
Panic Over War of the Worlds
When Orson Welles decided to present the War of the Worlds story in a radio newscast format, his broadcast on this day apparently caused panic across the US.
October 30, 1938
A Salute to the Military Genius, Napoleon Bonaparte
A 15-year-old boy entered a soldiers’ training school in Paris on this day. He was to become the military genius and great commander known as Napoléon Bonaparte.
October 30, 1784
Martin Luther Challenges the Money-Making Pope
Defiant monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to a church door on this day, defying the Pope and changing the course of religious and cultural history.
October 31, 1517
Windmill Girls Get Dressed And Leave Town
Undressed but unmoving, the Windmill Girls were a big hit at a London theatre that used the slogan, ‘We never closed.’ But on this day it did.
October 31, 1964
WHSmith: a Retail Giant Born From a Widow's Might
Nobody wanted to buy the little shop owned by 18th Century widow Anna Smith. So she kept it, and built a business that was to become famous in global retailing.
November 1, 1848
Theatre Madness, But There’s Method In It
Methodist church founder John Wesley wrote in his journal on this day of an astonishing night at the theatre when events almost literally brought the house down.
November 2, 1743
Space Dog Laika Launched to her Death
Laika, a stray dog picked up on the streets of Moscow, was launched into space on this day – and to her death. Furious worldwide protests ensued, bewildering some.
November 3, 1957
Strange Meeting for War Poet Owen's Brother
Soldier-poet Wilfred Owen was killed on this day in history – a death that his brother would sense in an extraordinary and inexplicable experience.
November 4, 1918
400 Years of Celebration After Plotters Fail to Kill a King
Seething after years of persecution over their religion, a group of 13 English Catholics decided on this day in history to take action. Extreme action.
November 5, 1605
Catherine the Great Builds a New Russia
Catherine the Great, who died on this day, dragged Russia into the modern era while leading a life filled with political drama, sexual intrigue – and murder.
November 6, 1796
The Great Lord Lucan Mystery
Lord Lucan vanished on this day after his wife was attacked and their nanny murdered. But where did he go?
November 7, 1974
Talking Revolution that Silenced Hollywood Stars
The musical Oh, Kay! began its Broadway run at New York's Imperial Theatre on this day, introducing pop music standards "Someone To Watch Over Me" and "Do-Do-Do".
November 8, 1926
Wayward Prince Blamed for Royal Death
Prince Edward, born on this day, came to prefer pleasure to duty, causing tension, Queen Victoria believed, that would have fatal consequences.
November 9, 1841
How Britain Fell in Love with Lady Chatterley
After a sensational trial, the courts cleared the way for the controversial novel Lady Chatterley's Lover to go on sale in Britain, causing a stampede.
November 10, 1960
The War's Over, But Don't Get Too Excited
It was 'the war to end all wars' that came to a weary climax on this day. But this was no time to lose your inhibitions, at least not for one famous Englishman.
November 11, 1918
Ben-Hur Turns Author Into a Soldier of Fortune
Lew Wallace always wanted to be a great soldier. He achieved that, but is best remembered as a great writer – the author of Ben-Hur, published on this day.
November 12, 1880
Bulls Finally Spared 700 Years of Cruelty
The dangerous and despicably cruel “sport” of bull-running came to an end on this day in an English market town. It had been going on for 700 years.
November 13, 1839
Nell Gwyn, the Temptress Who Enchanted a King
Nell Gwyn, who was brought up in a bawdy-house in London, caught the eye of King Charles II and became one of England’s most famous royal mistresses.
November 14, 1687
The 1918 Flu Pandemic
A village in Alaska was almost wiped out on this day as the 1918 flu pandemic took its toll. Are there lessons for the world combatting the Coronavirus in 2020?
November 15, 1918
All Eyes on Birthplace of British Rock 'n' Roll
Tommy Steele, Britain's first rock 'n' roll star, was discovered on this day at a coffee bar in central London, appearing live on the BBC's first pop music show.
November 16, 1957
Bloody Mary, England’s Most Hated Queen
Queen Mary I, the first woman to rule England in her own right, lost respect and was called Bloody Mary by burning hundreds of religious opponents at the stake.
November 17, 1558
Issigonis, The Mini Mastermind
Sir Alec Issigonis, the man who revolutionised the car industry and created a Swinging Sixties icon by designing the groundbreaking Mini, was born on this day
November 18, 1906
Words That Echoed Down The Decades
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered on this day, was as short and simple as it was immensely powerful and memorable.
November 19, 1863
Nuremberg War Trials Bring Nazis to Justice
The Trial of Major War Criminals began on this day, the first of a five-year series of hearings at Nuremberg where WW2 Nazis were held to account.
November 20, 1945
Bare Bones of the Great Ape-Man Hoax
On this day the Piltdown Man skull, which had been hailed as the missing link proving an evolutionary relationship between man and apes, was revealed as a hoax.
November 21, 1953
The Assassination of President Kennedy
The shocking public killing of President Kennedy in 1963 was a momentous event in world history, giving birth to dozens of conspiracy theories.
November 22, 1963
Killing Rampage of Billy The Kid
Billy the Kid, believed to have been born on this day, claimed to have shot dead 21 men. But that didn’t stop Hollywood turning the killer into a folk hero.
November 23, 1859
Grace Darling, the Lighthouse Heroine
Raging seas were no deterrent when lighthouse-keeper’s daughter Grace Darling determinedly set out in a rowing boat to rescue survivors of a shipwreck.
November 24, 1815
Theatregoers Still Caught in The Mousetrap
It began in 1952 with a fresh-faced young actor called Richard Attenborough in the lead role. Since then, The Mousetrap has smashed all theatrical records.
November 25, 1952
Artist's 'Rocket' Shot Down in Flames
Artist James Whistler sought £1,000 libel damages from an art critic but was told by a jury on this day that he could whistle for it!
November 26, 1878
Money From The Sky – a Nazi War Weapon
Adolf Hitler would have given almost anything to defeat Great Britain – and that is possibly why he sanctioned one of the most bizarre plots to harm his enemy.
November 26, 1904
Horatio Nelson: From Frail Boy to National Hero
A 12-year-old boy stepped into a world where many men feared to tread on this day: the harsh and brutal British Navy. He was legend-to-be Horatio Nelson.
November 27, 1770
Lomu – The Unstoppable Gentle Giant
Jonah Lomu was a phenomenon in Rugby Union – a man-mountain who inspired fear and respect in equal measure among his opponents.
November 28, 2015
Wrong Address for Shakespeare Tourist Attraction
Millions of tourists around the world still have souvenirs of the house where William Shakespeare’s mother was born and grew up. Sadly, it’s the wrong house.
November 29, 2000
Humble Beginnings of Churchill, the Political Giant
Winston Churchill, Britain’s legendary wartime Prime Minister was born on this day. Surprisingly the great statesman arrived in this world in a very unusual way.
November 30, 1874
How the First Sherlock Holmes Story was Sold for a Song
How did an English publisher most famous for giving the world Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management come to publish the first Sherlock Holmes story?
December 1, 1887
Fish Dish Finishes Off a King
Doctors warned King Henry I against eating lampreys. But he enjoyed the slippery fish and happily devoured a plateful of them leading to his death on this day.
December 1, 1135
Goodbye Scratchy 78s, Hello Vinyl
Peter Goldmark will most be remembered for creating the long-playing vinyl record. But his many inventions earned him America’s National Medal of Science.
December 2, 1906
Flannelfoot, The False Teeth Filcher
Flannelfoot, a burglar who operated in London but gained international notoriety, would steal almost anything that came to hand – even a set of false teeth!
December 3, 1937
The Beheading of Saint Barbara
From artillerymen to architects and from bricklayers to butchers, Barbara is the patron saint. If legend is to be believed her sad life had a brutal ending.
December 4, 306 AD
Mozart, the Incomparable Musical Genius
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a musical genius who composed over 600 works in his short lifetime, died mysteriously on this day and was buried unceremoniously.
December 5, 1791
St Nicholas – The Man Behind Santa Claus
Saint Nicholas died on this day but happily the tradition associated with him of giving gifts to others, especially children, has survived the centuries.
December 6, 343 AD
'Infamy' as Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor
Japan launched its shock attack against the American Navy base at Pearl Harbor on this day – a date to “live in infamy,” according to the US President.
December 7, 1941
Real-life Tragedy for Theatrical Family
On this day a tragedy engulfed one of Britain’s noted theatrical families of the early 20th century.
December 8, 1926
Coronation Street, King of the Soaps
Thought to have no great future when launched on this day, Coronation Street still reigns supreme
December 9, 1960
King Abdicates for Love of Wallis Simpson
On this day King Edward VIII gave up his throne so that he could marry the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson. It was the first time a British king had abdicated.
December 10, 1936
Explosive Background to the Nobel Prize
Albert Nobel died on this day. His unique Nobel Prize legacy rewarded pioneers in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economics.
December 10, 1896
Marconi's Dream: Telegraphy Without Wires
Italian radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi's career received a big boost on this day with backing from the British Post Office.
December 11, 1896
A King Salutes Remarkable Woman Soldier
Whether she went to war out of love or duty, Phoebe Hessel, who died on this day, led a remarkable life on and off the battlefield.
December 12, 1821
Great Balls of Fire! The 'Bride' is 13
Jerry Lee Lewis leapt to fame declaring there was ‘A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On’. His fans were certainly shaken when told of his 13-year-old ‘bride’.
December 13, 1957
Heartbreak and Tragedy for Captain Scott
Beaten to the South Pole by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen on this day, only despair and death awaited British explorer Captain Robert Scott.
December 14, 1911
The Tower that Twice Defied Hitler
The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of France and twice managed to upstage Adolf Hitler. The man who built it, Gustave Eiffel was born on this day.
December 15, 1832
Melodrama at Theatre Leaves Actor Dead
One of England’s most popular actors arrived at the stage door on this day to prepare for another performance. He would never make it to the stage.
December 16, 1897
Bowled Over by William and Harry
The royal princes are the latest celebrities to favor headgear that was introduced on this day, the Bowler top hat.
December 17, 1849
The Face that Launched a Thousand Quips...
The greatest and most famous clown of them all, and by whose name, Joey, all circus clowns became known, was born on this day, December 18, 1778.
December 18, 1778
Wuthering Heights Author Dies at 30
Emily Brontë, author of the classic novel Wuthering Heights, died on this day. Like her sisters Anne and Charlotte, she passed away at a tragically young age.
December 19, 1848
Slavery Divide Triggers America’s Civil War
South Carolina voted to secede from the United States on this day. The move was quickly followed by other Southern states and led to the American Civil War.
December 20, 1860
'Good Sport' in The Trenches
Prime Minister's son, Raymond Asquith tells his wife of life and death on the battlefront in World War I on this day in 1915.
December 21, 1915
The Rise and Fall of Mrs Mapp, the Bone-Setter
Born in poverty and obscurity, she died on this day in the same state, but along the way Sarah Wallin became the much sought-after Mrs Mapp, the Epsom Bone-Setter
December 22, 1737
Business a Rocky Road for Hansom Cab Pioneer
Architect and inventor Joseph Hansom was a man of vision who somehow found it impossible to turn his great ideas into money-making ventures.
December 23, 1834
Enter King John – England's Worst-Ever Monarch
Most historians have difficulty finding a good word to say about King John who was born on this day and by general agreement ranks as England’s worst monarch.
December 24, 1167
The Day They Banned Christmas
Gearing up for a day of Christmas festivities, would-be US revellers in Boston faced bad news on this day. All such celebrations had been declared illegal.
December 24, 1659
The Day Murdoch Spoilt the Queen's Christmas
Queen Elizabeth II made the first live Christmas Day broadcast of her reign on December 25, 1952. Forty years later a pre-recorded message would be leaked.
December 25, 1952
Will There Be a Yacht In Boxing Day Sale?
Black Friday triggers a global online hunt for bargains. But nothing, it seems, compares with the excitement of joining the crush at a physical Boxing Day sale.
December 26, 1836
Darwin Discovers The Secrets of Life
Charles Darwin set out on a voyage of discovery on this day. What he discovered was later to stun the scientific world – and outrage the Church.
December 27, 1831
Oh Tragedy! What Could Be Worse? – McGonagall’s Verse!
Suffering a tragedy such as happened on this day was bad enough: what made it worse was having self-declared poet William McGonagall compose a rhyme about it.
December 28, 1879
Benjamin Franklin’s Words of Wisdom
He is best known as a Founding Father of America but Benjamin Franklin’s first major enterprise was Poor Richard’s Almanack, first published on this day in history.
December 28, 1732
'Hitler Will Have to Break Us or Lose the War'
The German Luftwaffe were hammering the British RAF until a furious and frustrated Hitler changed the plan and possibly the outcome of the war.
December 29, 1940
The Taming of Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill made an emotional speech to the Canadian Parliament on this day, December 30, 1941. His photograph from that day is just as memorable.
December 30, 1941
Collector Samuel Pepys Sets a Shining Example
Fire, warfare and discontent meant 1666 was not a good year, his collection of silver plate seemingly providing the only bright spot for diarist Samuel Pepys.
December 31, 1666