Ottawa

On 31 December 1857, Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as the capital of Canada 

Kepler

 The great astronomer Johannes Kepler was born on 27 December 1571. 

Queen Zenobia

 Queen Zenobia was born on 23 December 245. Zenobia was the queen of Palmyra in what is now Syria from about 268 AD to 272 AD. She fought the Romans and conquered Egypt. However, Zenobia was eventually defeated and captured. www.localhistories.org/womenrulers.html

Radium

 On 21 December 1898 Pierre Curie and his wife Marie discovered radium. Well done Pierre and Marie. www.localhistories.org/pierre.html

Australia

 I wrote a brief history of Australia www.localhistories.org/australia.html

Joseph Stalin

 The tyrant Joseph Stalin was born on 18 December 1878

Catherine of Aragon

 Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII was born on 16 December 1485 

Tycho Brahe

 The great Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe was born on 14 December 1546. Sadly he died shortly before the telescope was invented. It's a pity because he would have loved to look through one.

Suffrage Timeline

 I wrote a timeline of the right to vote www.localhistories.org/votetime.html

Myths about Christmas

I decided to write debunking some Christmas myths www.localhistories.org/xmasmyths.html

Wendy's Tudor Christmas

 This is Wendy's history of Tudor Christmas www.localhistories.org/tudorxmas.html

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our readers. The phrase Merry Christmas was first recorded in 1534 when Bishop John Fisher wrote a letter to Henry VIII's chancellor Thomas Cromwell.

Winston Churchill

 Winston Churchill was born on 30 November 1874 https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-winston-churchill/

Darwin

 On 24 November 1859, Charles Darwin's book On The Origin of Species was published 

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was a sad woman who heard 'voices'. She was eventually burned to death. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/neurologists-speculate-joan-arc-heard-voices-because-she-suffered-epilepsy-020929?fbclid=IwAR1ydZybgb8zFutBJFT_5GLVh50PydS74lxa-4VcVr8Dd121sjetowWj9nE

Victorian ladies

 I am sure we have all wondered how did women in the 19th century go to the toilet (use the bathroom) with all those layers of clothing. This excellent video discreetly explains it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUHeSTDv_24

An article about bullying

Reverend WendyMay Jacobs writes about bullying  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/thinking-anew-god-is-always-on-the-side-of-those-being-bullied-1.4414559?fbclid=IwAR05Yuh1Ps0lgqGC05eTlSSLtcHaZW-yM7xtjG8L7EBzFW5TgfuMBGd0GGE#.X7j7x7BasE4.facebook

World Toilet Day

 19 November is World Toilet Day. So let's hear it for the men who invented the modern toilet. In 1596 Sir John Harrington invented a flushing lavatory with a cistern. However, the idea failed to catch on. However, in 1775 Alexander Cumming was granted a patent for a flushing lavatory. Joseph Bramah made a better design in 1778. In 1883 a Mr. Ashwell invented the vacant/engaged bolt for public toilets.

William Herschel

 William Herschel the great astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus was born on 15 November 1738. He also discovered infrared light. www.localhistories.org/herschel.html

Angolan Independence Day

 Angola became independent on 11 November 1975. Happy Angolan Independence Day. 

Louisiana

 9 November is National Louisiana Day. I haven't written specifically about Louisiana but I did write about New Orleans.

Edmund Halley

 The great astronomer Edmund Halley was born on 8 November 1656. He has a comet named after him. www.localhistories.org/halley.html

Marie Curie

 Famous Polish scientist Marie Curie was born on 7 November 1867 (She was born Marya Sklodowska in Warsaw, Poland)

Gunpowder plot

 On 5 November 1605 a Catholic plot to blow up the king and parliament was foiled. www.localhistories.org/gun.html

Bra patented

Mary Phelps Jacob patented the modern bra on 3 November 1914. She invented the idea in 1913 when she sewed together some handkerchiefs and ribbons

Housework

 3 November is National Housewife's Day. I wrote a history of housework. 

Chocolate Day

 28 October is National Chocolate Day www.localhistories.org/chocolate.html

Captain Cook

 Famous explorer Captain James Cook was born on 27 October 1728 www.localhistories.org/cook.html 

Norway

 Happy birthday Norway. It formally separated from Sweden and became an independent country on 26 October 1905. 

Sam Houston

 On 22 October 1836 Sam Houston was sworn in as the first elected president of the Republic of Texas localhistories.org/a-history-of-texas

Alaska Day

 On 18 October 1867 Alaska passed from Russia to the USA. Happy Alaska Day. Happy Alaska Day. localhistories.org/a-history-of-alaska

Marie Antoinette

On 16 October 1793, Marie Antoinette was guillotined. She almost certainly never said 'let them eat cake'.

Mary Rose

On 11 October 1982 Henry VIII's warship The Mary Rose was raised from the sea bed. (It sank in 1545). I remember hearing all about it and even reading about it in a local newspaper but I cannot remember seeing it being raised on TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XhbXKE6aTc

Uganda

 Uganda became independent on 9 October 1962. Happy Ugandan Independence Day. 

Edgar Allan Poe

Sadly, Edgar Allan Poe died on 7 October 1849. I love his short story, The Masque of the Red Death.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKPlapqoRwk&fbclid=IwAR3AhsN7JY11pL7LFmss0AMlFFuqlHJV6M7s82ypLyBi0Dugv5VphGiBtNE

Lepanto

 On 7 October 1571, a Christian fleet totally defeated the Turkish fleet at the naval battle of Lepanto in the eastern Mediterranean. After the battle 12,000 Christian galley slaves were set free.

Pierre Curie

I wrote a brief bio of Pierre Curie. He was one of the great scientists of the late 19th century www.localhistories.org/pierre.html

The origins of surnames

 Six years ago I made a video about the origins of English surnames https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3eLf6rXKLw&fbclid=IwAR3rTBUs9XoysvHv0BNueyEE9QNcqPEO10Up6WFD_rdsUKsFs1oYuFpiwOM

Belize

 Belize became independent on 21 September 1981

Chile

 18 September is Chilean Independence Day. Happy Independence Day Chile. 

History of Women's Sports

 I wrote a brief history of women's sports www.localhistories.org/womensports.html 

Shackleton

 I wrote a short biography of Ernest Shackleton  www.localhistories.org/shackleton.html

Tanks

 Happy birthday, tanks. The first one was built on 6 September 1915. Read more in my history of weapons. 

Arsenic

 In the 19th century, it was common to adulterate foodstuffs by adding cheap substances. Calcium sulphate was added to peppermints. In 1858 a sweet maker in Bradford, England sent somebody to obtain some from a druggist. However, by mistake, the druggist's assistant picked up some arsenic thinking it was calcium sulphate. The arsenic was added to the sweets. As a result, 200 people became seriously ill and 20 died.

Fire of London

The Fire of London began on 2 September 1666 in a baker's house. It devastated the city. www.localhistories.org/fire.html

Mary Shelley

The great writer Mary Shelley was born on 30 August 1797. She is famous for her novel Frankenstein. 200 years after it was written her book is still famous. www.localhistories.org/shelley.html

Ivan the Terrible

Tsar Ivan the Terrible was born on 25 August 1530 www.localhistories.org/ivan.html

Tudor Spooks

An article about Tudor ghosts https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/historic-hauntings-at-hampton-court-palace/#gs.e6lt87

Battle of Bosworth

On 22 August 1485, a decisive battle in English history was fought at Bosworth. Richard III was killed, Henry Tudor won and subsequently, he became King Henry VII, the first of the Tudor dynasty.

Virginia Dare

On 18 August 1587 Virginia Dare became the first child born in North America of English parents

Josef Jakobs

On 15 August 1941, a German spy named Josef Jakobs became the last person to be executed at the Tower of London. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ0bpI8WDSk&fbclid=IwAR0oshgDnVNzHh53lxm_l99RYNPgWicwu26SmwZBfc4fCG2qBiS-UrBWS7o

The Vasa

On 10 August 1628, the Swedish ship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUT_qfjIoR8 

Wearing a crinoline

Have you ever wondered how 19th century women moved about while wearing a crinoline? This woman has made an interesting video about it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRZr4UiqH3M

Women in the Early Church

 Women in the Early Church https://www.ancient.eu/article/1409/ten-should-be-famous-women-of-early-christianity/?utm_source=medievalists.net&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange_module&utm_term=pubexchange_module-ancient_history-medievalists

Emily Bronte

Emily Bronte was born on 30 July 1818. She is famous for her book Wuthering Heights. www.localhistories.org/emily.html

Elizabeth Short

Elizabeth Short was born on 29 July 1924. In 1947 she became the victim of an unsolved murder in Los Angeles. She is sometimes called The Black Dahlia 

Alexander McKee

Alexander McKee was born on 25 July 1918. He led the search for the wreck of Henry VIII's warship Mary Rose, which lay under the sea bed for more than 400 years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75NgPGFifFQ

Detroit

Happy birthday Detroit. Antoine de Cadillac selected a site for a fort on 24 July 1701. Later it became a city. Later they named a car after him.

National Moon Day

20 July is National Moon Day https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-the-moon/

Ghana

I wrote a little history of Ghana www.localhistories.org/ghana.html

Tall Tales

For all lovers of tall tales: Henry VIII was 6 feet 2 inches. England’s tallest king was Edward IV who was 6 feet 4 inches tall. By all accounts, William Wallace was also very tall. It's believed he was well over 6 feet tall. Beating them all was Tsar Peter the Great at 6 feet 8 inches tall. Among women, Mary Queen of Scots was almost 6 feet tall (very tall for a woman in the 16th century)

Chocolate

7 July is World Chocolate Day www.localhistories.org/chocolate.html 

Thomas More

Thomas More was executed for treason on 6 July 1535 www.localhistories.org/more.html 

Neanderthals

The Neanderthals were more advanced than we often believe https://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins-science/top-ten-myths-about-neanderthals-001551

Czech Heroine

On 28 June 1950 Milada Horáková, a heroine of the Czech resistance during World War II was executed by the Communists on trumped-up charges. https://www.private-prague-guide.com/article/milada-horakova/

Lizzie Borden

On 20 June 1893, Lizzie Borden was acquitted of the murders of her father and stepmother although she was almost certainly guilty. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-19th-century-axe-murderer-lizzie-borden-was-found-not-guilty-180972707/

Sugar rationing

Sugar rationing in the USA ended on 11 June 1947 (5 years after it started). I don't think I would have survived sugar rationing. (In Britain sugar rationing began in January 1940. It lasted until 1953).

Joan of Arc

On 30 May 1431 that unfortunate woman Joan of Arc was burned to death. http://www.localhistories.org/joan.html

First World War Myths

I grew up with myths about the First World War, especially the idea that British soldiers were lions led by donkeys. This BBC article debunks the myths: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25776836

Florence Nightingale

The famous nurse Florence Nightingale was born on 12 May 1820 http://www.localhistories.org/nightingale.html

Olympe de Gouges

Woman writer Olympe de Gouges was born on 7 May 1748. She was executed during the French Revolution for her radical views. https://www.olympedegouges.eu/

History of Portsmouth Video

My video about the history of Portsmouth has reached 15,000 views https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si42h8wKIUE

Eyam and the Plague

Most people in England have heard of the village of Eyam in Derbyshire. According to legend when plague struck the village the people heroically quarantined themselves to stop it spreading and most of them died. It's probably a myth. The village WAS quarantined but the evidence suggests the authorities imposed the quarantine. It also seems the wealthy villagers fled before the quarantine was imposed, leaving the poor to their fate

This article examines the evidence: https://www.1843magazine.com/features/rewind/eyam-revisited-lessons-from-a-plague-village?fbclid=IwAR0xj_79-BMwsD4wFChc--zN6cWJ-UxECQ9lWBlU_mctd020vcTFSOSv3O8

Mayday

Welcome to May. It's probably named after Maia the Roman goddess who caused plants to grow. This is my history of Mayday: http://www.localhistories.org/mayday.html

Teddy Bear Museum

A charming museum https://www.teddybearmuseum.co.uk/

A History of Life Expectancy

My history of life expectancy in England 

Nichola de la Haye

In 1216 King John of England made a woman named Nichola (Nicola) de la Haye sheriff of Lincolnshire. Nicola was a female landowner. For more than 40 years she was also constable (person in charge of) Lincoln Cathedral. She defended the castle against a siege in 1191. She sounds like a formidable woman.

Mary Wollstonecraft

Famous writer Mary Wollstonecraft was born on 27 April 1759. She is known for her book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) http://www.localhistories.org/wollstonecraft.html

Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was baptised on 26 April 1564. His actual date of birth is not certain but it was probably 23 April. (In those days the date of a child's baptism was recorded not the day of his birth). http://www.localhistories.org/shakespeare.html

The Guillotine

On 25 April 1792 Nicolas Jacques Pelletier became the first person in France to be guillotined. But beheading devices were used in other parts of Europe much earlier. A beheading device was recorded in Dublin in 1307. Read more in my history of punishments.

St George's Day

Happy St George's Day http://www.localhistories.org/stgeorge.html

Charlotte Bronte

The great writer Charlotte Bronte was born on 21 April 1816 http://www.localhistories.org/bronte.html

Laundromat

The first laundromat opened in Fort Worth, Texas on 18 April 1934 localhistories.org/a-history-of-baths-and-showers

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was shot on 14 April 1865 

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was born on 13 April 1743 http://www.localhistories.org/jefferson.html

Easter

My history of Easter http://www.localhistories.org/easter.html

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

Isambard Kingdom Brunel was born in Portsmouth on 9 April 1806. He was one of the greatest engineers of the 19th century. http://www.localhistories.org/brunel.html

Winchester Cathedral

Happy birthday Winchester Cathedral. It was dedicated on 8 April 1093. http://www.localhistories.org/winchester.html

Dick Turpin

Infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was hanged on 7 April 1770. Despite his image Turpin was a brutal thug. Read more in my history of highwaymen. 

Casino history

A history of online casinos www.localhistories.org/casinohistory1.html

Zip fastener

On 20 March 1913 Gideon Sundback patented the zip fastener. Well done Gideon. localhistories.org/a-history-of-clothes

Tunisia

Tunisia became independent from France on 20 March 1956 

Chocolate History

My history of chocolate http:www.localhistories.org/chocolate.html

Las Vegas

Las Vegas was incorporated on 16 March 1911 

Caroline Herschel

Astronomer Caroline Herschel was born on 16 March 1750. She is sometimes overshadowed by her brother William Herschel but in her own day, she was just as famous. http://www.localhistories.org/caroline.html

Pandemics

This is my history of pandemics http://www.localhistories.org/plague.html

Uranus

On 13 March 1781 the great astronomer William Herschel discovered a new planet, the first to be discovered since Ancient Times. The planet was eventually named Uranus. 

Canberra

Happy birthday Canberra. The foundation stone of the Australian capital was laid on 12 March 1913. http://www.localhistories.org/canberra.html

Ancient Toilets

In the ancient world, people were capable of designing quite sophisticated toilets. Stone age farmers lived in a village at Skara Brae in the Orkney Islands (Scotland). Some of their stone huts had drains built under them and some houses had cubicles over the drains. They may have been inside toilets. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-toilets/

Self Raising Flour

Henry Jones patented self-raising flour on 11 March 1845. It wasn't a very big invention but it made cooking easier so well done Henry. 

Plague

On 9 March 1562 Naples banned people from kissing in public to help stop the spread of the plague (they thought that was one way the plague spread). www.localhistories.org/plague.html 

Barbie

Barbie debuted at the American Toy Fair in New York on 9 March 1959. Read more in my history of toys. 

History of Gambling

A history of gambling in the UK www.localhistories.org/gambling.html 

Yuri Gagarin

Happy birthday you share it with Yuri Gagarin the first man in space. You also share it with Amerigo Vespucci the great explorer who sailed along the coast of South America. www.localhistories.org/space.html

Toronto

Toronto was incorporated on 6 March 1834. Happy Toronto Day. 

St Piran's Day

Happy St Piran's Day all people of Cornish origin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GMa-jjuDdI&fbclid=IwAR2kMiqabGnsnKOINmxzjiOBvblpUmO0rE7XDxpTUDGWwrW_Awx25Pc_m7c

Chicago

Happy birthday Chicago. (it was incorporated as a city on 4 March 1837). 

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone was born on 3 March 1847. 

Philadelphia

In 1681 King Charles II granted a large amount of land in North America to a Quaker named William Penn. He established the colony of Pennsylvania. Penn sailed to North America in 1682. When he arrived he founded the city of Philadelphia. 

Voting in Egypt

All men in Egypt were given the right to vote in 1923. Women in Egypt were allowed to vote in 1956. 

19th Century Food

My video about food in the 19th century is 3 years old https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q97BiiNzwNU 

Christopher Marlowe

The great Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe was baptised on 26 February 1564. We don't know the exact date of his birth because in those days they recorded the date of rhe baptism not the birth. www.localhistories.org/marlowe.html 

Pancake Day

Pancake Day was first recorded in 1439. People were supposed to fast certain foods during Lent. They made pancakes to use up eggs and butter before Lent. Pancake Day is also called Shrove Tuesday. To shrive meant to confess your sins. So people 'shrove' their sins before Lent. The word Lent was an old English word meaning lengthen because the days are getting longer. Find out more in my history of cakes.

Salem Witch Trials

In 1702 the General Court (legislature) of Massachusetts overturned the convictions for witchcraft in Salem and in 1711 they granted compensation to the relatives of the victims bringing the whole sorry episode to an end. In the early 18th century belief in witches died out. Finally, in 1992 a memorial was erected to those who were wrongly executed at Salem. 

Nancy Astor

On 24 February Nancy Astor the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons made her first speech. www.localhistories.org/vote.html 

Estonia

24 February is Estonian Independence Day www.localhistories.org/estonia.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_nR5Mahp8A 

The slave trade

The first country to abolish the slave trade was Denmark in 1792 (although the ban did not take effect until 1803). Britain followed in 1807. The USA abolished the slave trade in 1808. Other European countries followed. Sweden abolished the slave trade in 1813, The Netherlands in 1814, France in 1815, and Spain in 1820. Brazil ended the slave trade in 1851. localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-slavery

George Washington

George Washington was born on 22 February 1732 www.localhistories.org/washingtonpres.html

John Glenn

On 20 February 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth  

Darwin, Australia

On 19 February 1942 the Japanese bombed Darwin Australia www.localhistories.org/darwinaus.html 

Copernicus

The great astronomer Nicklaus Copernicus was born on 19 February 1473 www.localhistories.org/copernicus.html 

Mary Tudor

Queen Mary Tudor was born on 18 February 1516. www.localhistories.org/mary.html 

Pluto

On 18 February 1930, Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto. 

St Olga of Kyiv

Olga of Kyiv was a formidable woman in the early Middle Ages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc25HATMSjI

Jigsaw Puzzles

John Spilsbury made the first jigsaw puzzle in 1767. He intended to teach geography by cutting maps into pieces but soon people began making jigsaws for entertainment. localhistories.org/a-history-of-toys

The Assyrians

The Assyrians were a warlike people from the north of what is now Iraq. From about 880 BC to 612 BC they ruled a great empire in the Middle East. www.localhistories.org/assyrians.html

Galileo

The great scientist Galileo was born on 15 February 1564 www.localhistories.org/galileo.html 

Arizona

On 14 February 1912, Arizona was admitted to the union as the 48th state 

Great Ormond Street Hospital

Happy birthday Great Ormond Hospital. It opened in London on 14 February 1852. 

St Valentine

Happy St Valentines Day www.localhistories.org/stvalentine.html 

Chile

On 12 February 1818, Chile declared its independence from Spain 

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born on 12 February 1809 www.localhistories.org/lincolnpres.html

Charles Darwin

The great scientist Charles Darwin was born on 12 February 1809 www.localhistories.org/darwin.html

Queen Victoria

On 10 February 1838 Queen Victoria married her cousin Albert I wrote a history of marriage. 

St Valentine's Day

My video about the history of St Valentine's Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj4xmvX3zAU&t=16s

History of Women's Boxing

This is an interesting article about the history of women's boxing https://allthatsinteresting.com/womens-boxing-history?fbclid=IwAR2tb4cn5l6fthTtsvw38VuK0I1VhA89P61Kpv8FPTgtnVv24YbFNhIAhHY

Medieval Myths

Some common Medieval myths https://www.medievalists.net/2014/06/15-myths-middle-ages/?fbclid=IwAR3iPIh1sIIqqUqm7TgXfmKFMgv5MqeKGF8dR4PY21eV6jXFh08sjUD4irg

Soap

On 9 February 1942 soap became rationed in Britain. It was rationed until 1950. www.localhistories.org/washing.html

Gas Chamber

On 8 February 1924, Gee Jon became the first person to be executed in the gas chamber 

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on 7 February 1812 www.localhistories.org/dickens.html 

Thomas More

Thomas More was born on 7 February 1478 www.localhistories.org/more.html

Voting in Britain 1918

On 6 February 1918, a new law giving all men in Britain the vote received royal assent. (Until then about 40% of men in Britain could not vote). The new law also gave the vote to women over 30. localhistories.org/a-history-of-suffrage

Fleas

People used to believe that fleas appeared on 1 March. They used to keep their windows closed on that day to stop the fleas coming in their houses. There was a saying 'The Devil shakes a bag of fleas at every house on 1 March'.

Robert Peel

Robert Peel was born on 5 February 1788. He formed the first modern police force in Britain, in 1829. They were called bobbies or peelers after him.  

Toronto

In 1793 the first governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe founded a new town. He called the new town York in honor of the Duke of York and he made it the capital of Upper Canada. Its name was later changed to Toronto. 

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka became independent on 4 February 1948  

Public lavatories

There were public lavatories in London in the Middle Ages but the first modern public lavatory in the city opened on 2 February 1852. It was for men. One for women opened on 11 February. localhistories.org/a-history-of-toilets

Herbs

Bay leaves are native to the Mediterranean area. Bay was well known to the Greeks and the Romans, who held it in high regard. Bay was also a popular herb in the Middle Ages and for centuries bay was medicine as well as food. Find out more in my history of herbs 

Medieval Towns

The thing that would strike us most about medieval towns would be their small size. By the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 London probably had a population of about 18,000. Winchester, the capital of England, probably had about 8,000 people. At that time a 'large' town, like Lincoln or Dublin had about 4,000 or 5,000 inhabitants and a 'medium sized' town, like Colchester had about 2,500 people. Many towns were much smaller. www.localhistories.org/towns.html

History of Firefighting

In the mid 17th century the only tools for fighting fire were buckets, hooks and handheld pumps. (Gunpowder could be used to blow up buildings and create fire breaks). However, in 1672 Jan Van der Heiden invented a flexible leather hose with brass fittings. Van der Heiden also pioneered hand-pumped fire engines to use with the hose. localhistories.org/a-history-of-firefighting

Calgary

I wrote a history of Calgary in Canada

Emsworth

This is my video about Emsworth in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHIoE0EIpQ0

Caroline Herschel

Caroline Herschel was a famous astronomer. In 1846 she was given the Prussian Gold Medal for science. She was then 96. Caroline lived from 1750 to January 1848. She died at the age of 97. So even in those days, some people did live to extreme old age. 

Horndean, Hampshire

This is my Youtube video about the history of the charming village of Horndean in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1-vfsWJHqk

Winnipeg

Winnipeg stands at the confluence of two rivers. Its name comes from native words meaning murky waters. The French built a fur trading post on the site in 1738 called Fort Rouge. However, the fort was later abandoned. Then in 1810, the North West Company built a new fort called Fort Gibraltar. Slowly the settlement grew and in 1873 Winnipeg was incorporated as a city. 

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was published on 28 January 1813 www.localhistories.org/austen.html 

Lego

Happy birthday lego, patented 28 January 1958 localhistories.org/a-history-of-toys  

History of Poverty

I made a video about the history of poverty. It's a grim subject but I found it interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quNVFsfMrGI 

The City of Regina

The city of Regina was once a place called Pile O'Bones because of the bones left there by hunters. Then in 1882, the first settlers arrived at the site. The new settlement grew rapidly and it was renamed Regina (Latin for queen) for Queen Victoria. 

Blendworth, Hampshire

Egyptian Surgery

In Ancient Egypt surgeons treated wounds and broken bones and dealt with boils and abscesses. Egyptian surgeons used clamps, sutures, and cauterization. They had surgical instruments like probes, saws, forceps, scalpels, and scissors.

They also knew that honey helped to prevent wounds from becoming infected. (It is a natural antiseptic). They also dressed wounds with willow bark, which has the same effect. Read more in my history of surgery. 

Southampton City

My video about the history of Southampton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UgUROF6GFY 

Edmonton

I wrote a history of the Canadian city of Edmonton. It began as a trading post called Fort Edmonton, built in 1795. It was named after Edmonton in England, which was then a town north of London. 

Famous Women in History

My video about famous women in history (born before the 19th century) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grmTVzb5PCc

Winchester

This is my history of Winchester. It was once the capital of England. www.localhistories.org/winchester.html 

Portsea, Portsmouth

My video of Portsea in Portsmouth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9HgwOwC0xE

Yorkshire Pudding

A Yorkshire pudding was originally called a dripping pudding. In 1747 a woman named Hannah Glasse, who was famous for her books on cookery, called it a Yorkshire pudding. She was the first recorded person to call it that. It sounds much nicer than 'dripping pudding' so thank you, Hannah. Read more in my history of food. 

History of Brazil

The Portuguese discovered Brazil by accident. Pedro Alvares Cabral landed on 23 April 1500. Then, in 1501 Amerigo Vespucci led another expedition to the new land. However, at first, the Portuguese showed little interest in Brazil although merchants set up coastal trading stations and they exported Brazil wood. 

The Guillotine

On 21 January 1790 in France Dr Joseph Guillotin proposed a new humane device for executing people by slicing their head off. However the idea was not new, a mechanical device for beheading people was recorded in Dublin in 1307. 

New York

The Dutch built a little town on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. It was called New Amsterdam and it flourished by selling skins. The settlers sold otter, beaver, mink and seal skins. However, New Amsterdam was a tiny town with only about 1,500 inhabitants in the mid-17th century. However, some farmers cultivated the land in Manhattan and in Brooklyn. (The Bowery takes its name from Bouwerie the Dutch word for farm). www.localhistories.org/newyork.html

Rasputin

According to some sources, Rasputin was born on 21 January 1869 

Buzz Aldrin

Happy birthday famous astronaut Buzz Aldrin www.localhistories.org/moon.html

Southsea, England

This is my video about Southsea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyEQh2_6HvM

Hawaii

On 18 January 1778 Captain Cook became the first European to discover Hawaii. www.localhistories.org/hawai.html 

Cricket

Cricket was first mentioned, in a court case, on 17 January 1598 www.localhistories.org/pastimes.html

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was born on 17 January 1706 

Ivan the Terrible

Ivan the Terrible was crowned Tsar of Russia on 16 January 1547 www.localhistories.org/russia.html

Charleston SC

I wrote a history of Charleston, South Carolina 

The Black Dahlia

On 15 January 1947 the body of Elizabeth Short AKA the Black Dahlia was found in Los Angeles www.localhistories.org/black.html

Egyptian cosmetics

The Egyptians are known for their cleanliness (they bathed frequently) and they used many cosmetics. They used black eyeliner and green pigment for their eyelids. They also used rouge for their cheeks. The Egyptians also used perfume. localhistories.org/a-history-of-cosmetics

Wickham, Hampshire

My video about Wickham in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LugkbClUDyI

History of England

A brief history of England http://www.localhistories.org/england.html

Women's Boxing

Women's boxing has a long history. It was popular in England in the 18th century. https://allthatsinteresting.com/womens-boxing-history

Women's Education

I wrote a history of women's education. There have always been some educated women. In the past, generally, upper-class women were well-educated. Middle-class women often had some education.  

Women's Underwear

Ancient Greek women wore a form of bra called an apodesme. Both Roman men and women wore a loincloth or shorts called subligaculum. Women also wore a band of cloth or leather around their chest called a strophium or mamilare. localhistories.org/a-history-of-women's-underwear

Cardiff

I wrote a history of the capital of Wales, Cardiff 

Female Gladiators

Female gladiators https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIirHm9eN6U

Shoes

In the Middle Ages shoe makers were called cordwainers. The word is derived from cordovan the name for leather from Cordova in Spain. Learn more in my history of shoes. 

Women Doctors

I wrote a little history of women doctors www.localhistories.org/womendocs.html

Sheffield

Sheffield takes its name from the River Sheaf. It was once called the Sceaf, which means border so it was the border river. Sheffield was founded in the early 12th century by the Lord of the Manor, William de Lovetot. He built a castle on the site of Castle Market. A little town grew up between the castle and the church. 

Edinburgh

Edinburgh began as a fort. Castle Rock is an easily defended position so from the earliest times it was the site of a fort. In the 7th century, the English captured this part of Scotland and they called this place Eiden's burgh (burgh is an old word for fort). 

Bellona

The Romans had a god of war called Mars, but they also had a goddess of war called Bellona. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8nBdh4Ahu0

Lindisfarne

On 8 January 793 the Vikings attacked the monastery at Lindisfarne in Northeast England. It was the beginning of 200 years of Viking raids. www.localhistories.org/vikings.html  

History of Gardening

In the hot and arid climate of ancient Egypt rich people liked to rest in the shade of trees. They created gardens enclosed by walls with trees planted with trees in rows. Sometimes the Egyptians planted alternating species. They grew trees like sycamores, date palms, fig trees, nut trees, and pomegranate trees. They also grew willows. Read more in my history of gardening. 

Medieval towns

It's a myth that in the Middle Ages the streets of towns were very dirty. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnnHXtbct1E 

Galileo

On 7 January 1610 Galileo announced his discovery of four moons orbiting Jupiter www.localhistories.org/galileo.html

Joan of Arc

According to tradition Joan of Arc was born on 6 January 1412 www.localhistories.org/joan.html 

East Meon

This is my video about the history of East Meon in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_3dUoojCmU