May 31 - Big Ben Rings For The First Time

This Day in History: 31 May 2020

 

31 May 1859

 

161 years ago, today, the Big Ben clocktower, located at the top of Elizabeth Tower, rung out for the first time, over the Houses of Parliament. In 1834, after a fire destroyed the majority of the Palace of Westminster, a predominant feature of the new design was a large clock atop a tower. This was to have twice-a-day checks with the Royal Greenwich Observatory, in order to maintain pinpoint accuracy. Many clocktowers dismissed this goal, but the royal astronomer, Sir George Airy, commissioned the help of Edmund Beckett Denison for his expertise in horology.

 

There are two main stories about the origin of the nickname 'Big Ben'. Many claim that it was named after the London commissioner of works at the time, Sir Benjamin Hill. Others argue it was named after the popular heavyweight boxer, Benjamin Caunt, as it was the largest of its kind. Even after a World War Two bomb destroyed the chamber of the House of Commons, the tower and the Big Ben survived. In the war, the tower also played a role in not illuminating at night, as London was kept dark in an attempt to make German bombing raids more difficult. Although famous for its accurate timekeeping, in 1997, the clock stopped ticking for 54 minutes, and its bells were also delayed in 1962 due to snow build-up.

 

Want to find out more about the history of the Big Ben? Click here for more information, or here for a video instead with more details.

 

May 30 - Execution of Joan of Arc

This Day in History: 30 May 2020

 

30 May 1431

 

589 years ago, today, Joan of Arc, a peasant girl from medieval France, was executed. She believed that God had chosen her to lead France to victory in the Hundred Years' War against England. Despite her lack of military training, she was able to convince Prince Charles of Valois to allow her to lead a French army to Orléans, a besieged city, ultimately achieving momentous victory. She would become to be known as the Maid of Orléans, and is considered today as one of history's greatest saints, and serves as an everlasting symbol of French nationalism and unity.

 

After Joan witnessed the coronation of King Charles VII, she was captured by Anglo-Burgundian forces, and tried for witchcraft, heresy, and violating divine law for cross-dressing. A series of missteps had followed her victories against the English, including her failure to liberate Paris. She received a death sentence, but this was reduced to life in prison after she promised that she would dress like a woman. However, she contradicted this and continued to dress in men's clothing. Subsequently, she was tied to a pillar and burned, at the age of 19. Nevertheless, her fame only increased after her death, as her name was cleared by Charles II, 20 years later. She was then canonised by Pope Benedict XV in 1920, attaining mystic stature and becoming the patron saint of France.

 

Want to find out more about the life and death of Joan of Arc? Click here for more information, or click here for a documentary about her life.

 

May 29 - The English Restoration Begins

This Day in History: 29 May 2020

 

29 May 1660

 

360 years ago, today, Charles II, the exiled king of England, arrived in London on his 30^th birthday, to take the throne and end the nation's military rule. When the English Civil War broke out, Charles fled to France after his father, Charles I, and his Royalists were defeated by Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarians in 1646. The king was executed by Cromwell three years later. Charles was proclaimed the king of England by the Scots and travelled there to raise an army but was subsequently defeated by Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester. He again escaped to France, and later lived in exile in Germany and the Spanish Netherlands.

 

After Cromwell's eventual death in 1658, the Puritan rule was faltering. Cromwell's son, Richard, proved to be ineffective, causing the public to resent the strict regime of the English military rule. General George Monck met with Charles in 1660 and arranged to restore him to the English throne, in exchange for a promise of amnesty and religious tolerance for his former enemies. Charles later entered London in triumph, with the city rejoicing at his arrival, sparking the English Restoration. In the era's first year, Oliver Cromwell was posthumously convicted of treason. His body was taken from its tomb in Westminster Abbey and was hanged from the gallows at Tyburn.

 

Want to find out more about Charles II? Click here for more information on his life, or here for a video with more on the English Restoration.

 

May 28 - The Palestine Liberation Organisation is Established

This Day in History: 28 May 2020

 

28 May 1964

 

56 years ago, today, the Palestine Liberation Organisation was founded during a summit in Cairo, Egypt. This was a broad national front that comprised of organisations of the Palestine resistance movement, political parties, and independent personalities. Since their legitimacy was recognised, the PLO has represented Palestine at the United Nations, and many other conferences. The organisation has also dealt with many other tasks striving to aid the Palestinians, through the establishment of institutions of health, education and social services. Ultimately, the PLO's main goal was to achieve the national goals of all Palestinians, including the independence of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

In February 1969, Yasir Arafat was elected as the PLO's leader. Before addressing the UN, he had already made significant advances for the organisation's reputation. However, gaining this legitimacy depended on easing terrorism, which Arafat found increasingly difficult, due to the moderate and extremist groups of Palestinian politics. In 1974, the Arab Summit and the United Nations officially recognised the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinians. Despite this, they were viewed by the United States and Israel to be a terrorist organisation until the Madrid Conference in 1991. The Israeli-Palestinian peace process was furthered in 1993, when the PLO recognised Israel's right to exist in peace, and Israel subsequently recognised them back as the representative of the Palestinians. Nevertheless, in 2018, the Palestinian Central Council suspended this recognition of Israel, and halted security and economic aid.

 

Want to find out more about the history of the PLO? Click here for more information, or here for more on why the PLO suspended their recognition of Israel.

 

May 27 - The Battle of Tsushima

This Day in History: 27 May 2020

 

27 May 1905

 

115 years ago, today, the Battle of Tsushima began, which was part of the Russo-Japanese War and was the only decisive clash between modern steel battleships in history. The year before, the Russians had rejected a Japanese plan to divide Manchuria and Korea into spheres of influence, causing Japan to launch a surprise naval attack on a Russian naval base in China, the Port Arthur. This was the first major battle of the 20^th century and saw the near decimation of the Russian fleet. The Tsushima confrontation was also the last time a defeated nation's ships surrendered on the seas and was the first time where wireless telegraphy played a significant role.

 

In the battle, Russia faced almost 4,400 deaths, and 6,000 were captured. 21 ships were sunk, 7 were captured and 6 disarmed. In comparison, Japan suffered a loss of only 117 lives and 3 sunk torpedo boats. For Russia, the aftermath of the battle was also severely negative, and ended up contributing to the 1905 Russian Revolution. The Romanov monarchy was weakened and had its prestige damaged, which was not helped by the ignorance of Tsar Nicholas II. Supposedly, when he was told about the loss during a tennis match, he continued playing. A few months later, the Russo-Japanese War ended with no further confrontations.

 

Want to find out more about the Russo-Japanese War and the Battle of Tsushima? Click here for more on the war, or here for more on Tsushima. Click here for a video that outlines the events of Tsushima.

 

May 26 - Tsar Nicholas II is Crowned

This Day in History: 26 May 2020

 

26 May 1896

 

124 years ago, today, Tsar Nicholas II was crowned as the ruler of Russia in the old Ouspensky Cathedral in Moscow. He was neither trained, nor inclined to rule, hindering his autocracy, which was worsened by the country's desperation for change. After his father, Alexander III, died in November 1894, he married a German princess, Alexandra, who came to have great influence over Nicholas. Despite this, she was hated by the Russian public due to her cold and shy nature, and her German origins did not help her during World War One. After a period of mourning for his late father, the couple were crowned as Tsar and Tsarina.

 

As the ruler of Russia, Nicholas resisted calls for reform and maintained absolutism, leading to the outbreak of the Russian Revolution in 1905. This was only diffused after Nicholas approved the use of the Duma and promised constitutional reforms. This was however retracted, contributing to the growing Bolshevik popularity. In World War One, Nicholas proved again to be incompetent in leading his country. In 1917, Nicholas was called to abdicate by his army and striking workers. He gave in on March 15, but subsequently brought an end to the Tsarist autocracy, allowing the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, to take power in November. However, during the Russian Civil War in 1918, Nicholas and his family were killed by a dozen armed men, and their remains were found in a forest near Yekaterinburg in 1991.

 

Want to find out more about Tsar Nicholas II? Click here for more information, or here for a video with more on his coronation.

 

May 25 - Oscar Wilde is Imprisoned for Sodomy

This Day in History: 25 May 2020

 

25 May 1895

 

125 years ago, today, Oscar Wilde was sent to prison after being convicted of sodomy. Known for writing 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest', he brought attention to his private life in a feud with Sir John Sholto Douglas, whose son was romantically involved with Wilde. At the time, homosexuality was a criminal offense in Britain, but this did not stop Wilde's attempt to gain some measure of public acceptance, but at the same time still trying to hide his sexuality. Douglas, a furious homophobe, began to object against Wilde's behaviour, causing Wilde to sue him for libel. Instead, Wilde was given an arrest warrant for indecency charges after Douglas argued that Wilde had drove 12 boys to commit sodomy.

 

Resisting the temptation to flee to France, Wilde decided to stand trial. Initially, he was accused of having young men in his bed and faecal stains on his hotel bed sheets and was denied bail. At his first trial, he managed to secure a mistrial when a juror refused to vote to convict, and at his second trial, many refused to betray Wilde by testifying, but he was still convicted. The judge remarked that he would "pass the severest sentence that the law allows. In my judgement it is totally inadequate for such a case as this". He received a sentence of imprisonment and hard labour for two years, which he served. Afterwards, he spent his remaining three years in exile, and died at the age of 45. His body was buried in Paris.

 

Want to find out more about the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde and his life? Click here for more information about his crimes of sodomy, or here for more on his life. Click here instead for a video outlining his 'wild' life.

 

May 24 - Lambert Simnel is Crowned in Ireland

This Day in History: 24 May 2020

 

24 May 1487

 

533 years ago, today, Lambert Simnel, a pretender to the throne of England, was crowned at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. He claimed to be the Edward IV, as he bared a striking resemblance to the prince, whose fate was unknown. Many had theorised, however, that he had died at the hands of Richard III. Richard Symonds, a priest who decided to be kingmaker, spread the rumour that Edward had escaped from the Tower, gaining Yorkist and Irish support. Simnel was presented to the head of the Irish government, the Earl of Kildare, who was willing to support the pretender and overthrow King Henry VII. He crowed Simnel as King Edward VI and collected an army of Irish soldiers.

 

King Henry feared Simnel as it could potentially jeopardise the King's newly established reign and dynasty. On June 5, Simnel's army, mainly consisting of Flemish and Irish troops, landed in Lancashire, gaining some English supporters, but most local nobles resisted joining. Almost two weeks later, on June 16, they met with the King's army at the Battle of Stoke, but were defeated, resulting in the deaths of the Earl of Lincoln, and the pardoning of the Earl of Kildare, who had remained in Ireland. Simnel was also pardoned by the king, most likely as he recognised how he had been merely a puppet in the hands of adults. When he was older, Simnel became a falconer, but almost no information about his later life is known. Most presumably, he died between 1525 and 1535.

 

Want to find out more about Lambert Simnel? Click here for more information, or click here to instead watch a video outlining his life.

 

May 23 - West Germany is Established

This Day in History: 23 May 2020

 

23 May 1949

 

71 years ago, today, the Federal Republic of Germany, also known as West Germany, was formally established as an independent and separate nation. After World War Two, Germany was divided into four occupation zones, with each zone controlled by Britain, France, the United States and the Soviet Union. Berlin was also divided in the same way. This division was supposed to be temporary, but due to the emergence of the Cold War, it became clear that Germany would instead be split into communist and non-communist sections. In December 1946, the United States and Britain combined their zones into Bizonia, with France later joining theirs in May 1949, creating Trizonia and isolating the Soviet Union.

 

On this day, the West German Parliamentary Council met and formally announced the establishment of West Germany, with Konrad Adenauer, the president of the council, declaring that "today a new Germany arises". This occasion, however, was not a festive one, as many of the German representatives at the meeting were subdued, as they previously held hope that Germany would be reunified. The Soviets quickly reacted to this, as in October 1949, the German Democratic Republic, also known as East Germany, was announced, marking the end of any talk of a reunified Germany. The two states acted as symbols of the ongoing Cold War for the next 41 years. In 1990, East and West Germany were finally reunited as the declining Soviet strength saw an end to the Cold War.

 

Want to find out more about East and West Germany during the Cold War? Click here for more information.

 

May 22 - The Wars of the Roses Begin

This Day in History: 22 May 2020

 

22 May 1455

 

565 years ago, today, the Wars of the Roses began, marked by the defeat of King Henry VI's forces at the Battle of St. Albans. This war encompassed the dynastic struggles between the House of York and the House of Lancaster, which stretched on for 30 years. The first Lancastrian king was Henry IV, whose reign saw widespread rebellion and lawlessness. His son, Henry V, was more successful abroad, gaining many French lands. However, these were lost by the next king, Henry VI, who had few kingly qualities and lost the lands acquired in France. He later lapsed into insanity, causing Parliament to appoint Richard, Duke of York, as the realm's protector. Henry later dismissed York once he had recovered, but York retaliated with an army marching to London, engaging in battle against Henry at St. Albans.

 

This battle lasted less than an hour, resulting in Yorkist victory, and Henry was captured by the Yorkists. The Wars of the Roses also oversaw the bloodiest war on English soil, the Battle of Towton, resulting in Lancastrian victory in March 1461. The series of battles was not over until Lancastrian Henry Tudor defeated Yorkist Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, establishing the Tudor dynasty and preventing further disruption and discontent in the realm. Through Henry's marriage to Edward IV's daughter, Elizabeth of York, the two houses of York and Lancaster were finally united. However, some historians view the unsuccessful rebellion against Henry, led by pretender Lambert Simnel, in 1487 as the final battle in the Wars of the Roses. The years of violence and unrest left little mark on the English common people but severely thinned the ranks of the nobility.

 

Want to find out more about the Wars of the Roses? Click here for more information, or here for an informative video explaining and outlining the events.

 

May 21 - The Treaty of Troyes

This Day in History: 21 May 2020

 

21 May 1420

 

600 years ago, today, the Treaty of Troyes was signed, after King Henry V's successful military campaign in France. This agreement declared that Henry and his heirs would inherit the French crown upon King Charles VI death. It was also a key event in the latter phase of the Hundred Years' War, that was finally won by the French in 1453, at the Battle of Castillon. The treaty arranged for the marriage of Charles' daughter, Catherine of Valois, and Henry V, who was made regent of France. This acknowledged his succession and disinherited the Dauphin Charles VII of France. Later that year, the treaty was ratified by the Estates-General of France, after Henry V entered Paris.

 

However, the agreement was undermined by the deaths of both monarchs within two months of each other in 1422. Henry VI, who was an infant at the time, became King of both countries, but Charles VI also claimed the throne, although he only ruled a region of France. The terms were later confirmed in the Treaty of Amiens in 1423, when Burgundy and Britany confirmed the recognition of Henry as the King of France. They subsequently agreed to form a triple-defensive alliance against Charles. However, in 1429, after the appearance of Joan of Arc, commanding the Valois forces, the course of the war shifted dramatically, allowing Charles to be crowned as the King of France. His claim to the throne was recognised by the Burgundians in 1435, and Charles' military victory over Henry caused uncertainty over the treaty . English kings continued to pursue their French claim until 1801, and their last territory in France, being Calais, was lost in 1558.

 

Want to find out more about the Treaty of Troyes and the Hundred Years' War? Click here for more information on the treaty, and here for more on the Hundred Years' War. Want to hear this information instead? Click here for a 10-minute video explaining the Hundred Years' War.

 

May 20 - Battle of Hamburger Hill Ends

This Day in History: 20 May 2020

 

20 May 1969

 

51 years ago, today, the battle for Hill 937 in South Vietnam ended after it was captured by the Americans and the South Vietnamese. This hill was dubbed by the Americans as 'Hamburger Hill', as the battle and its high casualty rate reminded them of a meat grinder. The mission was part of Operation Apache Snow, intended to limit the enemy infiltration from Laos that endangered Hue and Danang. On May 10, American forces launched its first assault on the North Vietnamese stronghold, following a series of air and artillery strikes. However, they suffered high causalities and were made to fall back. More assaults were launched but the North Vietnamese defenders did not give up their position until ten days later.

 

In this mission, almost 100 Americans were killed, and more than 400 were wounded, resulting in a 70% casualty rate. Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts called the operation "senseless and irresponsible", proceeding to criticise the military tactics of President Richard Nixon. This speech to the Senate was seen as part of the growing public outcry over US involvement in Vietnam. 8 days later after Hill 937 was captured, it was abandoned, sparking further outrage from the public over what seemed like a futile loss of American lives. This abandonment was decided as the operation was initially a diversionary tactic. North Vietnamese forces later returned and regained their position.

 

Want to find out more about the controversies surrounding the battle for Hamburger Hill? Click here for more information, or watch the 1987 war drama film 'Hamburger Hill', highlighting the racial hostilities between the soldiers and the effect that the anti-war movement back home had. However, it has an age rating of 18, so do not watch if you are underaged.

 

May 19 - Execution of Anne Boleyn

This Day in History: 19 May 2020

 

19 May 1536

 

484 years ago, today, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, was executed on charges that included adultery, incest and treason. She had caught the King's eye in the mid-1520s during Henry's previous marriage with Catherine of Aragon. Even though Anne was not said to be a great beauty, she clearly captivated the King. In addition, Catherine had failed to produce a male heir, so Henry transferred his hopes for the birth of a boy onto Anne, setting about attempting to annul his marriage. While his advisers worked on the 'Great Matter', Henry and Anne began to flirt discreetly, then openly, which angered Catherine and her supporters.

 

At Anne's coronation in June 1533, she was nearly six months pregnant, but gave birth to a girl, Elizabeth, rather than the desired male heir. Matters were made worse for Anne when she suffered a miscarriage in January 1536, that appeared to have been male. After this, rumours sparked of Henry's new desire to marry Jane Seymour. Anne's many enemies recognised her weak position and jumped at the chance to bring about her downfall. An investigation was launched that compiled evidence against her, including an accusation of adultery with Mark Smeaton, a court musician. Most historians agree that Anne was innocent of the charges against her, as the evidence was weak, and she would have endangered her position by adultery. She was still found guilty, and on this day, the executioner's sword killed Anne at the Tower of London. Henry was married to Jane Seymour some ten days later, eventually leading to the birth of the long-awaited male heir, Edward. However, it would be Anne's daughter, Elizabeth, who would go onto rule England for more than 40 years as the most celebrated Tudor monarch.

 

Want to find out more about the life of Anne Boleyn and her death? Click here for more information about her life, and here for more on her execution and last days.

 

May 18 - India Becomes the World's Sixth Nuclear Power

This Day in History: 18 May 2020

 

18 May 1974

 

46 years ago, today, India joined the nuclear club as it successfully detonated its first nuclear weapon in the Rajasthan Desert. This fission bomb was similar in explosive power to the historic US atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in World War Two. India's nuclear test fell on the traditional anniversary of the Buddha's enlightenment, so when the bomb was detonated, the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, received the message "Buddha has smiled". This test also made India the world's sixth nuclear power, breaking the nuclear monopoly of the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain, France and China, who also made up the U.N. Security Council.

 

In 1968, India had refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as they continually suffered border disputes with China. They feared a second war with China would occur, or even a fourth war with Pakistan, so began to develop a nuclear deterrent in the early 1970s. The successful first nuclear test on this day sparked an expanded arms race with Pakistan. This did not involve further nuclear tests but did see the development of deadly intermediate and long-range ballistic missiles by both India and Pakistan. 20 years after the first detonation, India continued to test nuclear weapons, leading to worldwide outrage and Pakistan's first nuclear bomb.

 

Want to find out more about the history of India and nuclear weapons? Click here for more details, or here for a video detailing the event.

 

May 17 - Court Concludes Brown v. Board of Education Case

This Day in History: 17 May 2020

 

17 May 1954

 

66 years ago, today, the US Supreme Court came to a unanimous decision in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case. They ruled that segregation in public education was unconstitutional, bringing an end to the tolerance of racial segregation. This case specifically dealt with a young, African American girl named Linda Brown, who had been denied admission to her local school in Topeka, Kansas, due to the colour of her skin. This white school was far superior to her black alternative, and a lot closer to home. The NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, took up Linda's case, bringing it to the Supreme Court in 1954. Thurgood Marshall, an African American lawyer, led Brown's legal team, and would later become a Supreme Court justice.

 

Chief Justice Earl Warren gave his opinion that not only was the 14^th Amendment's guarantee of 'separate but equal' protection unconstitutional for Linda, but it was also deemed unconstitutional in all cases. This was concluded as educational segregation meant that a label of inferiority was placed on African American students. After hearing arguments on the implementation of the ruling, the Supreme Court published new guidelines that required public schools to integrate quickly. The case of Brown v. Board of Education greatly motivated the civil rights movement that occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. It also significantly led to the abolishment of racial segregation in the American public.

 

Want to find out more about the Brown v. Board of Education court case and history? Click here for more information, or here for a timeline on the civil rights movement.

 

May 16 - Announcement of the Ozone Hole Discovery

This Day in History: 16 May 2020

 

16 May 1985

 

35 years ago, today, three scientists from the British Antarctic Survey announced abnormally low levels of ozone over the South Pole, which became later commonly known as the Ozone Hole. This discovery became a prime example of mankind's ability to damage the Earth's atmosphere and environment. The ozone layer is a region in the Earth's stratosphere that contains high levels of trioxygen, blocking the sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Since the 1970s, scientists had been pushing to regulate chlorofluorocarbons, which are chemicals found in everyday items, such as aerosol sprays, as they have an adverse effect on the layer. CFCs were later banned in 1978, but the paper written by Joseph Farman, Brian Gardiner, and Jonathan Shanklin, published in the scientific journal 'Nature' revealed the annual depletion of the ozone.

 

This discovery sparked a quick reaction in the international community, as they believed the story to be compelling and easily understandable. Within two years, 46 nations signed the Montreal Protocol, promising to phase out substances known to cause the ozone depletion. Eventually, all 197 members of the United Nations would ratify the treaty. Scientists now predict that the ozone layer will return to its pre-1980 levels before the end of the 21^st century. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called the Montreal Protocol "perhaps the single most successful international agreement to date", because of the unanimous adoption of the treaty, and the speed that it was enforced.

 

Want to find out more about the ozone layer's depletion? Click here for more information, or here for a 2019 update on the Ozone Hole.

 

15 May - Austrian State Treaty

This Day in History: 15 May 2020

 

15 May 1955

 

65 years ago, today, the Austrian State Treaty was signed between the Allies and the Austrian government, re-establishing Austria as a free, sovereign state. Initial attempts to create a treaty were made by the post-war government, however this failed as the Allies wanted a peace treaty with Germany first. The creation of a treaty was made more unlikely with the development of the Cold War. Despite this, the nation still held onto its part of Carinthia against Yugoslavia's demands. In 1953, Joseph Stalin's death helped to improve the climate for negotiations to continue, as conversations began with the Soviet foreign minister, Molotov, securing a breakthrough.

 

As well as the recognition of an Austrian state, the treaty also included minority rights of the Slovene and Croat minorities. Anschluss, Austria's political union with Germany, was also forbidden, and Nazi organisations were prohibited. The Allies left Austrian territory as a result of the treaty on October 25, and the next day, October 26, would be later celebrated as a national holiday. Even though it is thought to commemorate the withdrawal of Allied troops, it actually celebrates Austria's Declaration of Neutrality that was passed on October 26. This neutrality was not in the original text of the treaty but was declared by parliament after the Allied troops left.

 

Want to find out more about the Austrian State Treaty? Click here for more information.

 

May 14 - Creation of the State of Israel

This Day in History: 14 May 2020

 

14 May 1948

 

72 years ago, today, the State of Israel was proclaimed by David Ben-Gurion, the Jewish Agency Chairman, establishing the first Jewish state in 2,000 years. Prior to this, the British had assumed control of Palestine following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War One. In November 1917, the British government issued the Balfour Declaration, announcing their intention to establish a national home for the Jewish people, thus facilitating Jewish immigration and encouraging Jewish settlement in Palestine. However, the Arabs were opposed to this, and increased their attacks against the Jews.

 

After World War Two, the British concluded that they could no longer manage Palestine. Immigration restrictions against the Jews had continued, causing Jewish survivors of the Holocaust to be turned away. Jews were still smuggled into Palestine with the help of the Jewish Agency and the Haganah, and underground groups of Jews began to engage in open warfare against the British. Palestine was handed over to the United Nations, who devised a partition plan for Palestine, having one Jewish and one Arab state, but this was rejected by the Arabs. British mandate over Palestine officially ended at midnight on this day, and at 4:00pm, the creation of the State of Israel was proclaimed, recognised by the United States and the Soviet Union shortly afterwards. However, the new state faced many challenges, such as war against Arab states and a mass immigration problem. Today, conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians continue in Israel and the occupied territories.

 

Want to find out more about the history of the State of Israel and the conflict between Israel and Palestine? Click here for more information on Israel's history, or here for a Crash Course video on the conflict.

 

May 13 - The Battle of Langside

This Day in History: 13 May 2020

 

13 May 1568

 

452 years ago, today, the Battle of Langside took place, resulting in the defeat of Mary Queen of Scots and her forces. The victor of the battle was a confederacy of Scottish Protestants, led by James Stewart, the regent of King James VI, Mary's son. A cavalry charge had routed her 6,000 Catholic troops, causing them to flee, and three days later, Mary escaped to Cumberland, England, seeking the protection of Queen Elizabeth I. This battle came after Mary escaped captivity and was determined to restore her rights as queen. It is also regarded as the start of the Marian Civil War.

 

Mary had ascended to the throne over 20 years prior, upon the death of her father, King James V. She was the great-niece of Henry VIII, and her claim to the English throne was reinforced with the marriage to her English cousin, Lord Darnley, another Tudor. This angered Queen Elizabeth; however, Mary was still welcomed into England after her defeat. Despite this, she was soon put under house arrest after becoming the focus of many English Catholic and Spanish plots to overthrow Queen Elizabeth. This was again the case in 1586, as a major Catholic plot was uncovered, and Mary was subsequently brought to trial and sentenced to death for complicity. She was beheaded for treason on February 8, 1587, which her son calmly accepted.

 

Want to find out more about the Battle of Langside and Mary Queen of Scots? Click here for more information on the battle, and here for more on the life of Mary.

 

May 12 - Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth

This Day in History: 12 May 2020

 

12 May 1937

 

83 years ago, today, the coronation of George VI and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, took place. This was one of the biggest events of the early television service and the first outside broadcast, using a mobile control van. The date had originally been chosen for Edward VIII before his abdication in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. Staff working at the coronation started preparations at 4:00am, as guests began arriving two hours later. Eyewitnesses recalled that inside Westminster Abbey, colours were everywhere, with blue and gold hangings, as well as carpets and crimson robes. However, mishaps did occur, such as a bishop stepping on the King's train and another putting his thumb over the words of oath the King was about to read.

 

George became a very popular king throughout the British Empire, most notably winning the heart of the public during World War Two. He stayed at Buckingham Palace during the most intense months of the Blitz, where the palace was bombed more than twice. However, he still remained, and became a symbol of resistance and fighting spirit. He worked together with the wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, to help defeat the Nazis. George also had a stutter, which made it very difficult for him to carry out the traditional public duties of a King, such as the requirement to make speeches. To overcome this, he sought the help of an Australian speech and language therapist, Lionel Logue. In 1952, George sadly died of lung cancer after being a heavy smoker throughout his life and was subsequently given a state funeral.

 

Want to find out more about the life and coronation of King George VI? Click here to find out more, or here for a video of the coronation. To find out more about the King's struggle with his speech difficulty, watch the 2010 historical drama 'The King's Speech', starring Colin Firth, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role.

 

May 11 - FDA Approves the Contraceptive Pill

This Day in History: 11 May 2020

 

11 May 1960

 

60 years ago, today, the Food and Drug Administration, also known as the FDA, approved of the world's first commercially produced birth-control. This was made by the G.D. Searle Company of Chicago, Illinois. Development of the pill was first commissioned by Margaret Sanger, a birth-control pioneer, and funded by heiress Katherine McCormick. In 1916, Sanger had opened the first birth-control clinic in the United States. With the pill, she hoped to encourage the development of a more practical and effective alternative to contraceptives that were available at the time.

 

Previously, in the early 1950s, a biochemist named Gregory Pincus, working at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology, and John Rock, a gynaecologist at Harvard Medical School, had begun to work on the development of a birth-control pill. Using synthetic progesterone and oestrogen in order to repress ovulation in women, clinical tests of the new pill started in 1954. Afterwards, the FDA approved the usage of the pill, thus granting greater reproductive freedom to the women of America. As well as this, the pill had a dramatic impact on other aspects of social life, such as women's fertility trends, religion, family roles, careers, and premarital sexual practises.

 

Want to find out more about the approval and effect of the birth-control pill? Click here for more information on the FDA approval, or here for more on its impact.

 

May 10 - Winston Churchill Becomes Prime Minister

This Day in History: 10 May 2020

 

10 May 1940

 

80 years ago, today, Winston Churchill became Britain's Prime Minister, replacing Neville Chamberlain, after he resigned due to losing a confidence vote in the House of Commons. Two years prior, the Munich Agreement was signed by Chamberlain with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, handing over the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia over to German conquest. Despite this, Chamberlain promised this would bring "peace in our time". By the next year, this peace was obliterated by Hitler's invasion of Poland, causing Chamberlain to declare war against Germany. However, during the next 8 months, he showed himself to be ill-equipped for the task of saving Europe from the Nazis.

 

After the British failed to prevent the German occupation of Norway, Chamberlain lost the support of many members from his Conservative Party. On this day, Hitler invaded the Low Countries and France, while Chamberlain formally lost the confidence of the House of Commons. Churchill was appointed in his place, as he was known for his military leadership ability. He formed an all-party coalition, thus quickly winning the British people's support. Three days later, he gave his first speech to the House of Commons, stating that "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat". He then outlined his bold plans for the British forces, but in his first year, Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. Despite this, Churchill promised that Britain would "never surrender", which they never did.

 

Want to find out more about Winston Churchill's time as Prime Minister in the Second World War? Click here for more information, or watch the 2017 war drama film 'Darkest Hour', which depicts Churchill's early days as Prime Minister during the war.

 

May 9 - Thomas Blood Attempts to Steal the Crown Jewels

This Day in History: 9 May 2020

 

9 May 1671

 

349 years ago, today, Thomas Blood, better known as 'Captain Blood', an Irish adventurer, was captured after attempting to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. He had been a Parliamentarian during the English Civil War but had been deprived of his Irish estate due to the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660. Three years later, he began to lead a plot to seize Dublin Castle from King Charles II's supporters. However, this plan was discovered, and his accomplices were executed, as he escaped capture. In 1671, he again initiated a bizarre plot to steal the new Crown Jewels that had been refashioned by the King, as most of the original jewels had been melted down after Charles I's execution.

 

First, Blood disguised himself as a priest, and was able to convince the Jewel Housekeeper to hand over his pistols, as Blood's accomplices emerged. Together, they forced their way into the Jewel House, but were caught in the act. An alarm went out, and one man shoved the Royal Orb down his trousers while Blood flattened the Crown and tried to run off. Despite their efforts, all four were arrested, and Blood was brought before the King. Charles was so impressed that he restored his estates in Ireland and made him a member of his court, with an included annual pension. Captain Blood thus became a popular celebrity across the realm. When he died in 1680, his body had to be dug out to persuade the public of his death.

 

Want to find out more about Colonel Thomas Blood and his attempt to steal the crown jewels? Click here for more information, or here for a 'Horrible Histories' clip re-enacting the meeting between the King and Blood.

 

May 8 - VE Day

This Day in History: 8 May 2020

 

8 May 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Great Britain and the United States celebrated Victory in Europe Day. Cities from both nations hanged flags and banners, as they rejoiced over the defeat of the Nazis during World War Two. German troops throughout Europe had finally laid down arms, like in Prague, where the Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists. This came after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, but the Germans lost considerably more. In Copenhagen, Oslo, Karlshorst, and northern Latvia, the German surrender was signified with a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed and finalised in Berlin and in eastern Germany.

 

The main German concern was to avoid the grasp of Soviet forces, as they feared they would be taken prisoner. Around 1 million Germans attempted a mass exodus to the West when they ceased fighting in Czechoslovakia but were stopped by the Soviets and were taken captive. Approximately 2 million were taken as prisoners in the period just before and after the German surrender. At the same time, more than 13,000 British prisoners of war were released and sent back to Great Britain. However, confrontations between the Germans and Soviets still continued into the next day, when 600 Soviet soldiers were lost before the Germans finally surrendered. As a result, VE Day in Moscow was not celebrated until the 9th, when even Stalin himself celebrated the victory with a radio broadcast salute.

 

Want to find out more about VE Day? Click here for more information,  or click here for more details on the 75^th anniversary.

May 7 - Death of H. H. Holmes

This Day in History: 7 May 2020

 

7 May 1896

 

124 years ago, today, Dr H. H. Holmes, one of the most well-known serial killers, was hanged to death in Pennsylvania. From a young age, Holmes began torturing animals, even though he would still later on graduate with a medical degree. Morbidly, his education was funded with insurance scams, as he requested the coverage for non-existent people, and presented corpses as the insured. Holmes moved to Chicago in 1886 to work at a pharmacy, which he purchased later on from a widow, who mysteriously disappeared. Using a new series of cons, he raised enough money to build an elaborate home across from his shop.

 

Holmes named this home 'The Castle', and it had secret passageways, fake walls, and even trapdoors. Some of the rooms were built to be soundproof and were connected by pipes to a gas tank in the basement. His own bedroom in the house had controls that were able to fill these rooms with the gas. Young women in the area, including tourists who wanted to see the 1893 World Fair, had rented out rooms in the house, but they suddenly began to disappear. Holmes was finally caught during an insurance scam, causing him to confess, saying "I was born with the devil in me". He reasoned for his murders stating that "I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than a poet can help the inspiration to sing". It is suspected that Holmes' number of victims exceeds 200, and a book about the serial killer was published in 2003, entitled 'Devil in the White City', by Erik Larson.

 

Want to find out more about H. H. Holmes and his murder spree? Click here for more information, or here for more on his murder castle.

 

May 6 - The English Channel Tunnel Opens

This Day in History: 6 May 2020

 

6 May 1994

 

26 years ago, today, the English Channel tunnel opened, connecting Folkstone with Coquelles, cutting travel time between France and England to 35 minutes, and eventually between London and Paris to 2 and a half hours. This connection made between Britain and mainland Europe was the first since the Ice Age. The opening ceremony was presided over by Queen Elizabeth II, and French President Francois Mitterrand. In 1803, the first tunnel under the Channel was planned by Napoleon's engineer, Albert Mathieu, and the first real attempt was made by Colonel Beaumont in 1880.

 

The tunnel is the world's longest undersea tunnel, running underwater for 23 miles, averaging at a depth of 150 feet below the seabed. Every day, about 30,000 people journey through the tunnel on passenger, shuttle and freight trains. During construction, millions of tons of earth were moved, encompassing the work of 15,000 people. Sadly, ten of these people were killed during the creation. It cost around $16 billion, which was roughly twice its original estimate, and its completion was a year behind schedule. In 1996, the American Society of Civil Engineers labelled the tunnel as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

 

Want to find out more about the history of the English Channel tunnel? Click here for more information, or here for a documentary on the tunnel.

 

May 5 - Death of Napoleon Bonaparte

This Day in History: 5 May 2020

 

5 May 1821

 

199 years ago, today, Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile, as a British prisoner, on the remote island of Saint Helena in the southern Atlantic Ocean. He was one of the greatest military strategists in history, who rapidly rose in the French Revolutionary Army's ranks during the late 1790s. By 1799, France encountered war with most of Europe, and Napoleon returned home from his campaign in Egypt to take control of the French government, saving his nation from collapsing. He began to reorganise armies, and defeated Austria, before establishing the Napoleonic Code in 1802, which was a new system of French law. 2 years later, he was crowned emperor of France in Notre Dame cathedral, and soon after, he controlled an empire stretching from the River Elbe to Italy.

 

However, Napoleon started to face significant defeats after 1812. He suffered through a disastrous invasion of Russia, lost Spain to the Duke of Wellington, and endured total defeat against an allied force. In early 1815, he was exiled to the island of Elba, but managed to escape to France, where he raised a new Grand Army, that saw temporary success before its breaking defeat at Waterloo against Wellington's forces. As a result, Napoleon was exiled to Saint Helena, where he died 6 years later. His death was most likely a result of stomach cancer, and in 1840, his body was given to Paris.

 

Want to find out more about the life and death of Napoleon Bonaparte? Click here for more information on his death, and here for more details about his life.

 

May 4 - Jesse Tafero's Faulty Execution

This Day in History: 4 May 2020

 

4 May 1990

 

30 years ago, today, Jesse Tafero was executed in Florida, but his electric chair malfunctioned three times, causing flames to leap from his head. This incident sparked a new debate on the humane methods of execution, resulting in many states ceasing the use of the electric chair, and instead using the lethal injection. Tafero was wrongly convicted for the murders of Highway Patrol officers Phillip Black and his friend, Donald Irwin. These officers were killed during a traffic stop where Tafero, his wife, Sunny Jacobs, and their children were passengers. The driver, Walter Rhodes, confessed to the shooting after Tafero's execution.

 

The electrocution machine, nicknamed 'Old Sparky', malfunctioned. A member of the execution team had used a synthetic sponge rather than a sea sponge, which is needed to provide a quick death and greater conductivity. The process took seven minutes, and inmates later claimed that Old Sparky was tampered with to make the execution more like torture. This case became a widespread controversy among death penalty opponents. They said that the brutal circumstances of the execution gave reasons as to why it should be abolished. It has been rumoured that Tafero's execution served as inspiration for Stephen King's novel 'The Green Mile'.

 

Want to find out more about the execution of Jesse Tafero? Click here for more information.

 

May 3 - Japan's Post-War Constitution Comes Into Effect

This Day in History: 3 May 2020

 

3 May 1947

 

73 years ago, today, Japan's post-war constitution went into effect, granting universal suffrage, and stripping Emperor Hirohito of all but symbolic power. A bill of rights was also stipulated, peerage was abolished and Japan's ability to make war was outlawed. This document was largely comprised by Supreme Allied commander Douglas MacArthur, and his occupation staff. They had prepared the draft in February 1946, after a Japanese attempt was deemed unacceptable. MacArthur was the most acclaimed American general in the war effort against Japan, as he presided over the official surrender of Japan. For the next five and a half years, he supervised the reconstruction of Japan from the American embassy in Tokyo.

 

The most important post-war reform seemed to be the establishment of a new constitution. Japan's government's draft was rejected for being too conservative, so MacArthur ordered his staff to draft a new version in one week. The new document protected the country's new civil liberties, preserved the emperor, and forbade the Japanese to ever wage war again. Before the war, Emperor Hirohito was regarded as a quasi-divine figure and an absolute ruler, however his authority was limited in practise. He was worried that he would be accused of being a war criminal, and the Japanese imperial house would be abolished, but MacArthur prevented this. The new constitution was endorsed in elections that allowed Japanese women to vote for the first time, and on this day, it came into force. Afterwards, Japan saw political stability and rapid economic growth. The Allied occupation came to an end in 1952, as Japan once again assumed full sovereignty.

 

Want to find out more about the post-war constitution of Japan? Click here for more information.

 

May 2 - First Modern Sighting of the Loch Ness Monster

This Day in History: 2 May 2020

 

2 May 1933

 

87 years ago, today, the modern legend of the Loch Ness Monster was sparked when a sighting was published in a local newspaper, Inverness Courier. This publication entailed of an account from April, when a local couple claimed to have seen an "enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface". The story became a media phenomenon, as London newspapers even sent correspondents to Scotland, and a circus offered a 20,000-sterling reward for the capture of the beast. After this sighting, interest in the legend gradually increased, especially after another couple claimed to have seen the animal on land.

 

For decades, amateur investigators kept a close eye on the Loch Ness, and in the 1960s, many British universities launched sonar expeditions to the lake. Nothing was conclusively found, but in each expedition, the sonar operators did detect some type of large, moving underwater object. In 1975, another sonar expedition was carried out, using underwater photography as well, which resulted in a photo with a vague appearance of a giant flipper. Even further sonar expeditions were initiated in the 1980s and 1990s, with more inconclusive readings. Since most agree that the famous 1934 image of the monster was a hoax, tourist enthusiasm for discovering Nessie has been dampened.

 

Want to find out more about the history of the legend of the Loch Ness Monster? Click here for more information, or here for a recent news report.

 

May 1 - Soviet Union Shoots Down U-2 Spy Plane

This Day in History: 1 May 2020

 

1 May 1960

 

60 years ago, today, an American U-2 spy plane was shot down while conducting espionage over the Soviet Union. The incident caused tension at an important summit meeting between President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, scheduled later in the month. The U-2 spy plane was a sophisticated technological marvel, as it could travel at altitudes of up to 70,000 feet, with state-of-the-art photography. Flights over the Soviet Union began in mid-1956, as the CIA assured Eisenhower that the Soviets could not shoot down the high-altitude planes, as they lacked weapons adequate enough.

 

While on a flight over the Soviet Union, on this day, the plane disappeared, piloted by Francis Gary Powers. The CIA reassured the president that the plane was equipped with self-destruct mechanisms, that would render the wreckage unrecognisable, and the pilot was instructed to kill himself in such a situation. However, Khrushchev was able to produce the wreckage of the plane, and the alive pilot. On May 16, a major summit in Paris commenced between the United States, the Soviet Union, Great Britain and France, planning to discuss Berlin and nuclear arms control. But, as the meeting opened, Khrushchev began to lecture the United States, causing Eisenhower to storm out of the summit. The meeting collapsed, and the summit was called off. Francis Gary Powers was released 2 years later, in exchange for a captured Soviet spy.

 

Want to find out more about the U-2 spy plane incident? Click here for more information, or here for a video.