Emily Bronte

 Emily Bronte was born on 30 July 1818. She is famous for her book Wuthering Heights. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-emily-bronte/

The Black Dahlia

 Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia was born on 29 July 1924. She was the victim of an unsolved murder in Los Angeles in 1947.

Milk Chocolate

 28 July is National Milk Chocolate Day. Let's hear it for a Swiss gentleman named Daniel Peter who invented milk chocolate in 1875. I hate dark chocolate. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-chocolate/

Henry VIII marries (again)

 On 28 July 1540 married Catherine Howard (poor old Catherine!). https://localhistories.org/a-short-biography-of-henry-viii/ 

Ancient Myths

 This is my latest video - Myths about the Ancient World

Life in Rome

 In Ancient Rome women could not vote or hold public office. However, women were allowed to own and inherit property and some ran businesses. (In the Bible there is a woman named Lydia who sold purple cloth). In certain trades, some women helped their husbands, especially in silver working and perfumery. Furthermore, some women were priestesses or worked as midwives or hairdressers. Some women were gladiators. 

Stevenage

 Stevenage began as a Saxon village in 7th Century Hertfordshire. It was called Stith ac, which means strong oak. In those days trees were used as meeting places and perhaps one large oak used in that way gave Stevenage its name. At any rate by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 Stevenage was a little village. To us, it would seem tiny but settlements were very small in those days. At the time of the Domesday Book Stevenage belonged to the Abbey of Westminster. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-stevenage/

Rosalind Franklin

 The scientist Rosalind Franklin was born on 25 July 1920. She may not be very famous today but she played a crucial role in understanding the structure of DNA. In reality, there have been women scientists all the way through history. https://localhistories.org/a-timeline-of-women-scientists/

Rowlands Castle

 Seven years ago I made this little video about the village of Rowlands Castle in Hampshire https://youtu.be/x15dp3tl6_M

English Place Names

 Seven years ago I made this video about the origin of English place names. I am hoping to make a name for myself. #names https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98x_xMBk7zI

18th century women

 In the 1700s girls from well-off families went to boarding schools. Poor girls sometimes went to dame schools where they were taught to read and write. Also, in some towns, there were charity schools called blue coat schools because of the color of uniforms. In Britain, women were not allowed to attend university and the professions were closed to them. localhistories.org/women-in-the-18th-century

New Amsterdam

 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. localhistories.org/17th-century-new-york

The Moon

 On 21 July 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon. Well done Neil. #moon https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-the-moon/

Isambard Kingdom Brunel

 Two ships designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel were launched on 19 July. The Great Western in 1837 and The Great Britain in 1843. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-isambard-kingdom-brunel/

Old Sayings

 Seven years ago I made this video about the origin of old sayings. https://youtu.be/LDUkTwoI7cQ

Bathing

It's a silly myth that during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries people thought bathing was bad for you. It is complete twaddle. In reality, doctors emphasised that keeping clean was necessary for health. Being clean was also seen as good or virtuous. In the 18th century, John Wesley said ‘cleanliness is next to godliness. Being dirty was a sign of a bad soul. Wearing dirty clothes was also frowned upon. localhistories.org/a-history-of-baths-and-showers

Anne Askew

 On 16 July 1546, a Protestant woman named Anne Askew was burned to death for heresy. She was the only woman ever to be tortured in the Tower of London. She was tortured on the rack but she refused to change her beliefs. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-anne-askew/

Petersfield History

 Petersfield is a charming market town in Hampshire. It's one of my favourite places for going for walks. Seven years ago I made this video about the history of Petersfield. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14SFKUbo-NE

Seat belt

 On 10 July 1962 a Swedish man, Bils Bohlin patented a 3 point seatbelt. Well done Bils. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-transport/

Tape Measure

 Today is National Tape Measure Day. On 14 July 1868 Alvin J Fellows patented the spring click tape measure. It was a simple tool but it made life easier for craftsmen. Well done Alvin. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-measurement/ 

Ruth Ellis

 Ruth Ellis was hanged on 13 July 1955. She was the last woman to be hanged in Britain. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-capital-punishment/

Football World Cup

 Today is a great anniversary in the history of football. On 13 July 1930, the first Football (Soccer) World Cup began in Montevideo, Uruguay. And Uruguay won the cup. Well done Uruguay.

Hayling Island

 Seven years ago I made this video about the history of Hayling Island https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-hayling-island/ #haylingisland #funfair #beaches

Catherine Parr

 On 12 July 1543, Henry VIII married his last wife, Catherine Parr. I feel sorry for her, imagine having to marry the middle-aged, obese Henry. #HenryVIII https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-catherine-parr/

Football

 Hands up who likes football? Hands up who doesn’t? I’m talking about soccer, football as we know it here in the UK. It is a game played across the globe as proved by David Beckham when he played a game on every continent back in 2015, making history! In Europe football fans have been cheering their national teams in the Euro2020’s, taking place in 2021 (for the obvious reason and something that will matter in pub quizzes and history in years to come no doubt). Why has such a game endured for so long in so many places? I can’t resist a bit of research and it’s fascinating, the full article is here https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-sport/. Enjoy the football, or enjoy whatever you do to avoid it, it’s history in the making whatever happens.

Holidays

 It's flaming June! Once again it's the holiday season. It's time to get out your bucket and spade and your bikini. Well, actually in Britain it's another cold and wet day but let's not be downhearted. Here is a history of holidays I wrote. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-holidays/

Historical Myths

 There are loads of myths about history. Most of us have grown up with them. Here are some of them: https://localhistories.org/myths-about-history/

World Chocolate Day

 7 July is World Chocolate Day Hooray! https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-chocolate/

Thomas More

 Thomas More was executed for treason on 6 July 1535. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-thomas-more/

Colonial New England

 The first houses in New England were simple wooden huts. They had timber frames covered in clapboard with thatched roofs. Rather than glass windows had sheets of paper soaked in oil. The first chimneys were of logs covered in plaster – an obvious fire hazard! The earliest houses were crowded, dark, and drafty. localhistories.org/daily-life-in-colonial-new-england

Declaration of Independence

 On 7 June 1776 Richard Henry Lee of the Virginia Assembly presented Congress with resolutions declaring the independence of the colonies, calling for a confederation, and expressed the need to find foreign allies for a war against Britain. On 11 June Congress appointed a committee to write a declaration of independence. It was signed on 4 July 1776. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-colonial-america/

Singapore

 According to legend, Singapore was founded centuries ago when a prince from Sumatra landed on the island and saw a lion. He took it as a good omen and founded a city called Singapura, which means lion city. The legend may or may not be true. In fact, the name Singapura was not recorded until the 16th century and Singapore was really only a trading post with a small population, not a city. 

Hampton

 In the Anglo-Saxon language the word Hamm meant water meadow. Hamm tun meant hamlet by the water meadow. Southampton was Hamm tun then Hamtun. It gave its name to Hampshire, which was originally Hamtun shire. Littlehampton was probably given its name to differentiate it from Southampton, which in turn was given its name to differentiate it from Northampton. 

19th Century toilets

 In the 19th-century toilet, pans were made of porcelain. They were usually decorated, embossed, or painted with attractive colors. Seats were of wood and cisterns were often emptied by pulling a chain. At first toilet bowls were boxed in but the first pedestal toilet bowl was made in 1884. Meanwhile, the vacant/engaged bolt for public toilets was patented in 1883 by Mr. Ashwell. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-toilets/