The Barbary Slave Trade

 I found this interesting video about the Barbary Slave Trade

Vibrators History

 This article debunks the myth that vibrators were used in the 19th century to treat hysteria in women

Nostradamus

 The notorious charlatan Nostradamus was born on 14 December 1503. His 'predictions' are deliberately obscure, with a bit of imagination you can always find some event in history in the last 500 years, somewhere that sounds like it might be a fulfillment of one of his predictions.

I first heard of Nostradamus in the 1970s. Since then every few years a new book about his 'predictions' is published. And every few years the interpretations of his 'predictions' change to try and make them fit actual events in the modern world. British prime minister Horace Walpole said 'the wisest prophets make sure of the event first'. That’s one way to do it Mr. Walpole or you could just make a prediction so vague or so obscure that something a bit like it is bound to happen sometime.

John Milton

 The great writer John Milton was born on 9 December 1608. He was also a strong defender of freedom of speech. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-john-milton/ 

Suffragettes and Fascism

 Some suffragettes joined the British Fascist Movement 

Myths About Women's History

 Six years ago I made this video about myths about the history of women 

Women astray in the Middle Ages

 This is an interesting article about women who went astray in the Middle Ages 

Merry Christmas

 A Merry Christmas to all our readers https://localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-christmas/ 

The Boy in the Box

 This is good news. Since 1957 a murdered child known as 'the boy in the box' has finally been identified. 

The Wall

 Pink Floyd's album The Wall was released on 30 November 1979 Hey teacher leave them kids alone!

The Right to Vote

 I found this interesting article about the history of suffrage https://www.sociostudies.org/almanac/articles/global_struggle/#_ftn1

William Blake

 The great poet and artist William Blake was born on 28 November 1757. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-william-blake/

Raining Cats and Dogs

I came across the claim that the phrase 'raining cats and dogs' comes because when it rained hard cats and dogs fell off the roof. Complete twaddle, of course. (Dogs live on the roof?). A phrase like it was used in 1653. Someone wrote 'it shall rain dogs and polecats'. The modern phrase was first used in 1738 when Jonathan Swift wrote: 'he was sure it would rain cats and dogs'. The truth is nobody knows why this odd phrase began. Maybe it was just a joke.

Charles Darwin

On 24 November 1859, Charles Darwin published his famous book, On The Origin of Species https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-charles-darwin/ 

Women in Nabatea

The Nabatean Kingdom existed in what is now Jordan and northwest Saudi Arabia in the period 168 BC-106 AD. In Nabatea women were equal to men. They could inherit and sell their property and bring lawsuits. Some Nabatean queens ruled jointly with their husbands and appeared on coins. One famous Nabatean queen was Chuldu. She ruled jointly with her husband in the years 9 AD-16 AD.

International Men's Day

19 November is International Men's Day. Happy International Men's Day! 

The Suffragettes

 I found this interesting article about the suffragettes in Britain 

Lise Meitner

 The great Austrian-Swedish physicist Lise Meitner was born on 7 November 1878. We don't hear much about her but she made many important contributions to science. She even has an element, meitnerium named after her.

Sherborne

 I wrote a history of the small but charming town of Sherborne 

The Tomb of Tutankhamun

 On 4 November 1922 archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. When you read about Tutankhamun you inevitably hear mumbo jumbo about curses. In fact, most of those involved in excavating the tomb lived for a long time afterward and died in old age. Indeed their average age at death was slightly longer than the average lifespan for the time. It seems that Ancient Egyptian curses are good for your health. 

20th century women

 Six years ago I made this video about women in the 20th century https://youtu.be/MlnOZNhGQ7A

Happy Halloween

 This is my history of Halloween Happy Halloween

Jonas Salk

 Jonas Salk the man who invented a polio vaccine was born on 28 October 1914. His invention saved many people from a terrible disease.

Isaac Singer

 Isaac Singer was born on 27 October 1811. He didn't actually invent the sewing machine but he made the first practical version. It was a huge success. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-clothes/

Dr Guillotin

 When I was a boy my dad told me that Dr Guillotin invented the guillotine and he was the first person executed by it. He was executed for inventing such an inhumane machine. I thought that was really funny, but of course, it isn’t true. Mechanical beheading devices were used long before the French Revolution. (One was recorded in Dublin in 1307). But in 1790 Joseph-Ignace Guillotin argued that such a device should be used as a humane method of executing people. (And it was humane compared to most methods!) His idea was adopted and the device was named after him. Dr Guillotin died of natural causes in 1838.

The Hungarian Revolution

 The Hungarian Revolution began with a demonstration in Budapest on 23 October 1956. The people rebelled against Communism. However, the Russians eventually crushed the revolt. Hungary had to wait more than 30 years for its freedom. 

The mythical 'curse of Tutankhamun'

 One silly and persistent myth is that there was a curse on Tutankhamun's tomb and after it was opened in 1922 there was a series of mysterious deaths. In fact, most of the people involved lived for a long time afterward and were quite old when they died (bearing in mind that life expectancy in the early 20th century was considerably shorter than it is today!). In many cases, they lived longer than would be expected at that time.

Touch screens

 This is an interesting article about the invention of touch screens 

Beer Flood

 On 17 October 1814 a giant wooden vat of beer in a London brewery burst. The rush of liquid caused other vats to burst in a domino effect. An estimated 135,000 gallons of beer escaped. The sheer weight of beer gushing along the street caused severe damage to several houses. One unfortunate woman was washing pots at a public water pump by a brick wall. The rush of liquid caused the wall to collapse on her. Altogether the flood of beer killed 8 people.

Buriton

 7 years ago I made this video about the charming village of Buriton, near Petersfield in Hampshire 

Verdi

 The great composer Giuseppe Verdi was born on 10 October 1813 This is my favourite music by him - the anvil chorus  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEMMVHAINFM

Corporal punishment in Ireland

 I found this interesting video about corporal punishment in Ireland in the 1950s

Vodka

 4 October is World Vodka Day. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-drinks/

Ethiopia

 On 3 October 1935 the Italians invaded Ethiopia 

Botswana

 Botswana became independent on 30 September 1966. Happy Independence Day!

Corporal Punishment in the 1960s

 Corporal punishment in the 1960s 

Planet Neptune

 On 23 September 1846 Johann Galle became the first man to observe the planet Neptune 

Food and Drink in the 16th Century

 Six years ago I made this video about food and drink in the 16th century https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plmqvPcLabc 

The Barbary Slave Trade

 This is a very interesting video about the Barbary (North African) slave trade. (They captured Europeans and sold them). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mrG9UUKgtI&list=WL&index=2&t=600s 

Songhai Empire

 I found this interesting little article about the Empire of Songhai in Western Africa https://www.ducksters.com/history/africa/songhai_empire.php 

Spanking Harms

 A Washington Post article about how spanking harms

Shot for Desertion

 On 8 September 1914 Private Thomas Highgate aged 19 became the first British soldier to be shot for desertion during the First World War

Battle of Orsha

 On 8 September 1514, The Poles and Lithuanians defeated the Russians at the Battle of Orsha https://localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-lithuania/

Elizabeth I

 Queen Elizabeth I was born on 7 September 1533 

Kettering

 Kettering began as an Anglo-Saxon village. Its name was Ketter ingas, which means the people of Ketter. Kettering was first mentioned in history in the year 956. Then in 972, the manor of Kettering was granted to the abbey at Peterborough.

Italy

 The first civilization in Italy was the Etruscan, which arose about 800 BC in central Italy. The Etruscans built cities on a grid pattern. Some of these cities still exist (including Arezzo, Chiusi, Cortona, Perugia, and Cerveteri). The Etruscans were also engineers who drained marshes and built roads. They were also skilled artists. The Etruscans made terracotta sculptures and worked in bronze. Their craftsmen also made jewelry of gold and silver.

Malta

 On 4 September 1800 the French in Valetta (the capital of Malta) surrendered to the British. Malta then became a British colony.

Hornchurch

 Hornchurch began as a small village in Essex. It was not mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 but there might have been a tiny hamlet at Hornchurch at that time. Certainly, a village grew up at Hornchurch by the middle of the 12th century. By about 1163 a church had been built at Hornchurch on the site of the present St Andrew’s Church.

In the early 13th century it was called the Horned Church. We do not know why it was called the Horn Church. Perhaps the church building had metal gutters that reminded people of horns. At any rate, the church gave the village of Hornchurch its name.

Newcastle Under Lyme

 This  is my history of Newcastle Under Lyme 

Zambia pledges to end the death penalty

 Zambia has now pledged to abolish the death penalty in the country 

Ned Kelly

 This is my article about the famous bushranger Ned Kelly 

Windsor History

This is my history of the charming town of Windsor 

Chocolate Chip Biscuits

 4 August is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-biscuits/ 

Thomas Hardy

 I wrote a brief biography of the famous writer Thomas Hardy 

The Conversation

 Smacking a child is harmful - The Conversation

National Love is Kind Day

 27 July is National Love is Kind Day to celebrate all those who have escaped from domestic violence. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-domestic-violence/

Alexander McKee

 Alexander McKee the man who discovered the Mary Rose was born on 25 July 1918. Well done Alexander. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75NgPGFifFQ

Corporal Punishment

 On 22 July 1986, the British parliament voted to end corporal punishment in state schools. The new law received royal assent on 7 November 1986. Corporal punishment became illegal in state schools on 15 August 1987.

Neil Armstrong

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

The Mary Rose Sinks

Henry VIII's warship Mary Rose sank on 19 July 1545, near Portsmouth https://localhistories.org/the-mary-rose/

Women in the 16th Century

 This is my video about women in the 16th century 

Ruth Ellis

On 13 July 1955 Ruth Ellis became the last woman in Britain to be hanged. (She shot her former lover David Blakely). Her execution was controversial and added to the debate about the death penalty. In 2003 her relative appealed. But the Court of Appeal judges said there were no grounds for an appeal. She was properly convicted of murder according to the law at that time. And like it or not, hanging was the legal penalty for murder in 1955. My history of capital punishment

World Chocolate Day

 7 July is World Chocolate Day

Halifax, Nova Scotia

 Happy Birthday Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was founded on 21 June 1749. 

Image by Wayne Linton from Pixabay 

Father's Day

 Happy Father's Day. Here is an interesting history of Father's Day: https://lnkd.in/eCUU4JYy

Image by Pexels from Pixabay 

Women in car races

 Since the beginning of the 20th century women drivers have participated in car races. Here are some famous women drivers.

Joan of Arc

 Joan of Arc was burned to death on 30 May 1431. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-joan-of-arc/

The Flowerpots, Cheriton

I went to a pub called The Flowerpots in Cheriton, Hampshire. It was very nice. I recommend it to everyone. 😊

Corporal Punishment Cameroon

 

Cameroon Campaigners Commemorate the 2022 International Day To End Corporal Punishment  

Mexico declares war

 On 22 May 1942, Mexico declared war on Germany and Japan. Well done Mexico. 

International Boys Day.

 16 May is International Boys Day. Happy International Boy's Day. 

Pierre Curie

 Pierre Curie was born on 15 May 1859. He was one of the greatest scientists of the late 19th century. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-pierre-curie/

Mayday

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

Boiling

In England a law of 1531 allowed poisoners to be boiled alive. In 1532 a cook called Richard Roose was boiled alive and in 1542 a woman called Margaret Davy was boiled alive. However, the law was repealed in 1547.

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). https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-mary-wollstonecraft/

Women in the 19th century

 Six years ago I made this video about women in the 19th century https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVshvWQAxKo

Women in the Ancient World

 Five years ago I made this video about women in the Ancient World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzEKaRrxduI

St Georges Day

 23 April is St George's Day. Cry God for Harry, England, and St George! https://localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-st-georges-day/

Happy Easter

 Happy Easter everybody! https://localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-easter/ 😊

The Katyn Massacre

 On 13 April 1943, the Germans announced that they had found the bodies of more than 4,000 Polish officers murdered by the Russians in 1940. The Russians invaded Poland from the east in 1939 after the Germans invaded from the west.). The Russians continued to deny the massacre at Katyn until 1990. https://localhistories.org/the-katyn-massacre/

Universal Manhood Suffrage

 I found an interesting article about universal suffrage https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/universal-manhood-suffrage/

Blendworth

 I wrote a history of the tiny village of Blendworth in Hampshire https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-blendworth 

Joseph Lister

 Joseph Lister the man who invented antiseptic surgery was born on 5 April 1827 https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-joseph-lister/

Kendal

 I wrote a history of the town of Kendal in Cumbria localhistories.org/a-history-of-kendal 

Chippenham

 I wrote a history of the town of Chippenham in Wiltshire localhistories.org/a-history-of-chippenham 

Mothers Day

 Happy Mothers Day https://www.findmeagift.co.uk/mothers-day-gifts/history.html

A Timeline of Women's History

 I wrote a history of women's history localhistories.org/a-timeline-of-women's-history

Corporal Punishment in Wales

 From 21 March 2022 hitting children is illegal in Wales. More and more countries are abolishing corporal punishment and its end is inevitable. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-corporal-punishment/

Women artists

 I wrote a timeline of women artists. There have been famous women artists since the Middle Ages. Unfortunately in the 19th and 20th centuries, there were so many I could not mention them all. https://localhistories.org/a-timeline-of-women-artists/

Margaret Bondfield

 Margaret Bondfield was born on 17 March 1873. In 1929 she became the first woman cabinet minister in Britain. (She was minister of labour). https://localhistories.org/a-timeline-of-womens-rights-uk/

Jews in York

 On 16 March 1190 Jews were massacred in York https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york/history-and-stories/massacre-of-the-jews/

History of Slavery

 I have revamped my history of slavery localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-slavery 

The History of Female Hair Removal

 I found this interesting article about the history of female hair removal https://womensmuseum.wordpress.com/2017/11/22/the-history-of-female-hair-removal/#:~:text=The%20practice%20of%20removing%20female,and%20considered%20pubic%20hair%20uncivilized.

A History of Carmarthen

 I wrote a short history of the little Welsh town of Carmarthen localhistories.org/a-history-of-carmarthen

History of Warminster

 I wrote a history of the small town of Warminster in Wiltshire localhistories.org/a-history-of-warminster

Barbie

 Happy birthday Barbie. She debuted at the American Toy Fair in New York on 9 March 1959. localhistories.org/a-history-of-toys

History of women's rights

 I wrote a history of women's rights across time

Ghana

 Ghana became independent on 6 March 1957. Happy Independence Day. localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-ghana

Texas

 On 2 March 1836 Texas declared its independence from Mexico localhistories.org/a-history-of-texas

Women in the 20th Century

 The bikini was invented in 1946. In 1947 Christian Dior introduced the New Look, with long skirts and narrow waists giving an ‘hourglass’ figure. During the 1950s women’s clothes were full and feminine. However in 1965, Mary Quant invented the mini skirt and clothes became even more informal. localhistories.org/women-in-the-20th-century/

Holodomor

I thought people might be interested to read this article about the Holodomor, the terrible famine in Ukraine in the 1930s.  https://www.euronews.com/2019/11/23/holodomor-ukrainians-remember-the-famine-that-killed-millions-in-soviet-ukraine?fbclid=IwAR34JCwH72vZIS1yKVw0QlyjOg8DgDjpAlaX7NjOeVv5sC7S2PmiMOS_HC8 

Tightrope walking

 28 February is the birthday of Charles Blondin the first man to walk a tightrope across Niagra Falls. Tightrope walking has a long history going back to Ancient Greece. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/an-abridged-history-of-funambulists

The History of Ukraine

This is my history of Ukraine localhistories.org/a-history-of-ukraine

Domestic Violence

 I wrote a history of domestic violence localhistories.org/a-history-of-domestic-violence

Queen Mary

 Mary Tudor became queen of England on 18 February 1553. She was the first woman to rule all of England. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-queen-mary-i

Walter Bolton

 On 18 February 1957, Walter Bolton became the last person to be hanged in New Zealand https://nzhistory.govt.nz/walter-bolton-becomes-the-last-person-to-be-hanged-in-new-zealand

Nylon

 On 16 February 1937 Wallace Carothers patented nylon. On 16 February nylon stockings went on sale in the USA. (They were a huge hit). But in 1940 women only wore stockings. A man named Allen Gant introduced pantyhose (tights) in 1959. localhistories.org/a-history-of-clothes

Rosie the Riveter Misconceptions

 The famous poster of a woman with the words 'We Can Do it! was first posted on 15 February 1943. But there are many myths about the poster. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/08/02/much-ado-poster-real-truth-behind-iconic-can-poster-2/?chrome=1

St Valentines Day

 Happy St Valentines Day localhistories.org/a-brief-history-of-st-valentines-day

Corporal punishment in Scotland

 A very interesting video about the end of corporal punishment in Scottish schools. The Scottish Parliament made it illegal for parents to hit children in 2019 shortly after this video was made. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26yHR5hKn8g

The World is Getting Better

 Today the world is a much better place than when I was a boy in the 1970s. In the west, society has become more humane, kinder, and much more tolerant. In most of the world, there is far less extreme poverty and life expectancy has increased. The world has greatly improved in my lifetime and I am sure it will continue to get better. This article explains further.

Thomas More

 Thomas More one of Henry VIII's chancellors was born on 7 February 1478 localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-thomas-more

Charles Dickens

 Famous writer Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on 7 February 1812 https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-charles-dickens/

Sweet rationing

 On 5 February 1953 sweet rationing ended in Britain. Hooray! https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-sweets/

Women in Sports

 2 February is National Girls and Women in Sports Day. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-womens-sports/

Fareham

 This is my Youtube video about the history of Fareham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScFygKzS2sI 

(Thanks to pixabay.com for the picture).

Gosport

 This is my video about the history of Gosport https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUJACtyLMeE

Wickham, Hampshire

 This is my Youtube video about Wickham in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LugkbClUDyI

Bishops Waltham

 I made a Youtube video about Bishops Waltham https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rcvE8zS6-c

Southwick, Hampshire

 I made a Youtube video about the village of Southwick in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSRL1NltxsY 

Hambledon, Hampshire

 This is my Youtube video about the history of Hambledon in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTP1P3ve0uw

Soberton, Hampshire

 This is my Youtube video about the history of Soberton in Hampshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7zSLgaaw6A

Meonstoke, Hampshire

 This is my Youtube video about the history of Meonstoke in Hampshire 

History of Volleyball

 I found an interesting history of volleyball https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/what-history-volleyball-game-origin-mintonette-ymca-fivb-olympics

Ivan the Terrible

 On 16 January 1547 Ivan the Terrible was crowned Tsar. He was the first man to have the title tsar. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-ivan-the-terrible/

Women in Archery

 I found an interesting article about the history of women's archery https://worldarchery.sport/news/178437/archery-history-sport-pioneered-equality-womens-participation 

Women's Weightlifting

 Women's weightlifting has an interesting history https://barbend.com/women-strength-sports-history/ 

Women and tennis

 Women have always played tennis: https://www.bustle.com/articles/142759-what-womens-tennis-has-looked-like-through-history-because-women-have-been-part-of-this-sport

Joan of Arc

 According to tradition Joan of Arc was born on 6 January 1412 https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-joan-of-arc/

Higher Education in the UK

 Higher Education in Britain has a long and interesting history A history of higher education in the UK 

Myanmar

 4 January is Myanmar Independence Day. Myanmar (then called Burma) became independent on 4 January 1948. Happy Independence Day. Fun facts about Myanmar A history of Myanmar

Alaska

 On 3 January 1959 Alaska became the 49th state of the USA https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-alaska/

Happy New Year

 Happy New Year everyone! https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-new-year/