Bury St Edmunds

 I wrote the history of the old English town of Bury St Edmunds 

Comfortable Corsets

 It's a myth that corsets were torture instruments that made it difficult to breathe and caused you to faint.

Honduras

 I wrote about the history of the Central American nation of Honduras 

Yeovil

 I wrote a history of the old Somerset town of Yeovil 

Women in Anglo-Saxon England

 In Anglo-Saxon England, women had considerable rights and freedom (unless they were slaves! Both men and women were slaves). Married women could own and inherit property. Some women were landowners. If a man married a woman he had to give her either money or land. After they married it was her property to what she liked. She could sell it or leave it in her will to anyone she wished. 

Nepal

 I wrote a brief history of Nepal 

Bristol

 I wrote a short history of the great British city of Bristol. It began as a Saxon settlement and in the Middle Ages it became one of England's largest towns. 

HMS Warrior

 HMS Warrior Britain's first iron warship was launched on 29 December 1860. She is now a major tourist attraction in Portsmouth. Happy birthday.

Victorian myth

 Another myth about 19th century women: they were not allowed to raise their arms above their heads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHn0VOwYVQ 

Bath

 I wrote a history of the city of Bath. Originally it was a Roman town.

Abbotsbury

 I wrote a brief history of the charming village of Abbotsbury 

The Bog

 In Britain, a cesspit was once called a bog. The toilet was the bog room. When people stopped using cesspits and had flushing toilets they kept calling the toilet room the bog room. Soon it shortened to bog. Apparently the Australian word dunny comes from an old English word meaning a store of dung. There is a lot more to the history of toilets than you might think.

Swindon

 I wrote a history of the Wiltshire town of Swindon 

Louis Pasteur

 Louis Pasteur the great doctor who invented the germ theory of disease was born on 27 December 1822. His work saved countless lives.

Croatia

 I wrote a brief history of Croatia 

Cerne Abbas

 I wrote a history of the charming English village of Cerne Abbas 

Blandford Forum

 I wrote a little history of the town of Blandford Forum in Dorset 

Bridport

 I wrote a history of the small but attractive town of Bridport in Dorset 

Charles Babbage

 Famous mathematician and pioneer of computers Charles Babbage was born on 26 December 1791

Wareham

 I wrote a history of Wareham, which began as a Saxon town

Libya

 24 December is Libya Independence Day

Dorchester

 I wrote a little history of the Dorset town of Dorchester 

Sumerian Women

 Sumer was the world's first civilization. It arose in what is now Iraq about 3,500 BC. Sumerian women could own and sell property such as land and slaves. They could also own businesses. Women could be witnesses in court the same as men. Some Sumerian women could read and write. Some women were doctors, others were scribes or priestesses.

Square Meal

 Why do we say 'a square meal' There is a popular myth that this saying comes from the time when British sailors ate off square plates. In reality, the phrase began in California in the mid-19th century and it simply meant a good meal for your money, as in the phrase 'fair and square'. Later the saying made its way to Britain.

Cardiff

 I wrote a brief history of the Welsh city of Cardiff. It became the capital of Wales in 1955. 

Morocco

 I wrote a brief history of Morocco. It has a long and rich history. 

Wareham

 I wrote about the town of Wareham in Dorset. It began as a Saxon settlement. 

Spartan Women

 In Sparta women owned much of the land. We also know from records that women owned land in Thessaly and in the Cretan city-state of Gortyn. In Ancient Greece some women were tavern keepers. Others sold food or perfume. Some were wool workers.

Girls married when they were about 15. (Except in Sparta where they were typically older). Marriages were often arranged. However Ancient Greek women could divorce their husbands.

Four poster beds

 I sometimes come across this old myth: Four Poster Beds had canopies to catch mice falling from thatched roofs. No,

four-poster beds had canopies and curtains to keep out drafts. (Old houses had many drafts). There is no evidence that the canopy was designed to catch falling rodents. In any case, a four-poster bed was very expensive. If you were wealthy enough to afford one you would normally have a roof of tiles, not thatch. Even if you did have a thatched roof in a wealthy home all bedrooms had proper ceilings. So there was a ceiling between the bed and the roof.

Christchurch

 I wrote a history of the town of Christchurch in England 

Oxford

 I wrote a brief history of the old English city of Oxford. It's famous for its university but there is much more to it than that. 

Slovenia

 I wrote a concise history of Slovenia 

Gosport

 I wrote a history of the town of Gosport in Hampshire. It was founded in the early 13th century and it was originally Goose Port probably because of the wild geese who gathered there.

Southampton

 I wrote a history of Southampton. There was a Roman town near the modern city but the Saxons founded the 'modern' city. 

Its a Wonderful Life

 The first Christmas film was made in Britain in 1898. It was called Santa Claus. One of my favourite Christmas films, It’s a Wonderful Life was first shown on 20 December 1946. 

Portsmouth

 I wrote a history of Portsmouth. It was founded in the late 12th century and it has been an important English naval base for centuries. 

Kings Lynn

 I wrote a history of Kings Lynn. It was once a large and important town and port. 

Japan

 I wrote a brief history of Japan 

Bournemouth

 I wrote about the English seaside town of Bournemouth, which grew up in the 19th century. 

A Christmas Carol

 In the 19th century, it was traditional to tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve (not sure why). The most famous Christmas ghost story is, of course, A Christmas Carol, which was published on 19 December 1843. I love old Scrooge. Bah! Humbug!

Garden Gnomes

 Today we have garden gnomes but in the 18th century, rich people sometimes paid human beings to pose in their gardens. They were called ornamental hermits and they usually lived in a hut on the grounds of a large house. Often they were paid to wear strange clothes (sometimes they were dressed as druids). Sometimes they were supposed to just stand or sit in the garden without speaking to anyone. Garden gnomes were introduced in the 19th century.

Waterlooville

 I wrote a brief history of Waterlooville in Hampshire. It began as a town in the early 19th century. 

Slovakia

I wrote a concise history of the Central European country of Slovakia 

Switzerland

 I wrote a concise history of Switzerland 

Newbury

 I wrote a history of the town of Newbury. The Normans founded it as a 'new town'. 

Bhutan

 17 December 2023 is Bhutan National Day 

Amesbury

 I wrote about the Wiltshire village of Amesbury 

Salisbury

 I wrote a history of the English cathedral city of Salisbury  

Boston Tea Party

 The Boston Tea Party took place on 16 December 1773. In the late 18th century the British imposed a tax on tea in the North American colonies, which was bitterly resented by the colonists. Then in 1773, three ships were sent to Boston with 298 chests of tea. On 16 December 1773 men dressed as Indians boarded the ships and threw the tea into the sea.

Poole

 I wrote a history of Poole. It has been a flourishing town since the Middle Ages.

Titchfield

 I wrote a history of the charming village of Titchfield in Hampshire 

Portugal

 I wrote a history of Portugal. It has a long and rich history.

Eastleigh

 I wrote a history of the old railway town of Eastleigh in Hampshire 

Suffragette Bomb

 On 15 December 1913 suffragettes used dynamite to try and blow up the wall of Holloway prison. They did not succeed but the prison wall was badly damaged. (Suffragettes were held in Holloway for arson, smashing windows etc.)

Melbourne

 I wrote a history of the great Australian city of Melbourne 

Purbrook

 I wrote a history of the village of Purbrook in Hampshire. Its name means water spirit's brook. 

Leeds

 I wrote a history of the great English city of Leeds 

Table Tennis

 The first table tennis tournament was held in London on 14 December 1901 

Wuthering Heights

 Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, was published on 13 December 1847 

Lymington

 I wrote a history of the charming town of Lymington in Hampshire 

China

 I wrote a history of China. It's a fascinating civilisation that has survived for thousands of years. 

Unemployment

 I wrote a history of unemployment in the Western World. It's a harrowing subject but an interesting one. 

Harwich

 I wrote about the port and town of Harwich in Essex

Christmas Carols

 A carol was originally a dance with an accompanying song. Carols were once sung all year not just at Christmas. However, Christmas carols were first mentioned in English in 1426. But most of the carols we sing today were written in the 18th century and 19th century.

At first, people sang carols in pubs, not in churches. The first carol service was created in 1880 by the Bishop of Truro, Edward White Benson. He wrote a service called the Nine Lessons with Carols. (He hoped he could draw people away from pubs to church!)

Crawley

 I wrote about the town of Crawley in Sussex. Although it became a 'new town' after the Second World War it was a market town long before it. 

Droxford

 I wrote a history of the small but charming village of Droxford in Hampshire 

Austria

 I wrote a concise history of the Central European nation of Austria 

Happy Birthday

 Today is localhistories.org Day. On 11 December 2001 my website was switched on. At first, it contained the history of 6 places, Portsmouth, Winchester, Chichester, Petersfield Dublin, and London. It now has a history of about 130 towns and cities. I went on to write histories of countries and articles about life in the past. And I wrote some brief biographies. I remember when I was pleased when it got over 1,000 hits in a month. It now gets more than 100,000 hits each month.

Santa's Reindeer

 Santa’s reindeer were first mentioned in writing in 1821. Their names were first recorded in 1823 - except for one. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in 1939 by Robert L. May. He wrote a story about the famous reindeer. 😊

Farnham

 I wrote a history of Farnham a charming town in Surrey, England 

Lager Day

 10 December is National Lager Day. This is my history of drinks. 

Poland

 I wrote a concise history of the nation of Poland from Ancient Times to the 21st Century 

Andover

 I wrote about the town of Andover in Hampshire 

Dover

 I wrote a history of the town of Dover, the gateway to England

Denmead History

 I wrote a little history of the village of Denmead 

Clifton Suspension Bridge

 Clifton Suspension Bridge opened on 8 December 1864. It was designed by the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This is his monument in Portsmouth.

First Actress

 On 8 December 1660, Margaret Hughes performed on stage as Desdemona in Othello. She was the first recorded actress in England. Before then women's parts were played by boys.

Christmas Decorations

 Long before the 19th century people in England decorated their houses at Christmas with holly, ivy, and mistletoe. In the 19th century people began to use coloured paper decorations.

East Meon, Hampshire

 I wrote a history of the charming village of East Meon in Hampshire 

Reading

 I wrote a history of the town of Reading in Berkshire 

Happy St Nicholas Day

 6 December is St Nicholas Day. As I am sure you know he morphed into Santa Claus. St Nick is the patron saint of children. He is also the patron saint of sailors.

In Portsmouth, the Garrison Church was originally called the Domus Dei (House of God). It was a hostel for pilgrims. It was dedicated to John the Baptist and St Nicholas. There is a St Nicholas Street in Old Portsmouth, so named because it led to the Domus Dei, dedicated to St Nick.

Hambledon Village

 I wrote a history of the Hampshire village of Hambledon 

Basingstoke

 I wrote a brief history of the town of Basingstoke. It was designated a 'new town' and grew rapidly in the late 20th century but it has been a market town since the Middle Ages. 

History of Shops

 I wrote a brief history of shops. Some people may not buy it. 

Horndean

 I wrote a brief history of the English village of Horndean. It was once called Dormouse Valley. 

Cookies

 4 December is National Cookie Day. This is my history of biscuits. 

Christmas Pudding

 Christmas pudding was once called plum pudding or plum pottage (plum was a generic term, it included raisins and sultanas). But it was eaten all through the year. In the 19th century, it became associated with Christmas and people began calling it Christmas pudding.

Godalming

 I wrote the history of the old town of Godalming in Surrey

Guildford

 I wrote a history of the old English town of Guildford 

Advent

 3 December is Advent Sunday. Here is a little history of Advent. 

History of Children

 I wrote a history of children from Ancient Times to the Present Day

Horsham

 I wrote a history of the old town of Horsham in Sussex 

Portland

 I wrote a history of the great American city of Portland, Oregon 

Buriton, Hampshire

 I wrote a history of the charming but small village of Buriton in Hampshire

Antarctica Day

 Today is Antarctica Day. On 1 December 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed. Antarctica was to be preserved for peaceful research. This is my history of Antarctica.

Merry Christmas

 A Merry Christmas to all our readers. Here is my history of Christmas. 

Boston

 I wrote a brief history of the great American city of Boston 

Los Angeles

 I wrote a history of the great city of Los Angeles, the city of angels 

Money Does Not Stink

 In Rome, urine was used to wash clothes. The emperor Vespasian put a tax on urine collected from public toilets and sold for cleaning. His son complained that it was a disgusting way to raise money. Vespasian held a gold coin under his son's nose and said 'pecunia non olet' (money does not stink).

Clothes

 I wrote a history of clothes 

Arizona

 I wrote a history of the US state of Arizona 

Poverty

 I wrote a history of poverty in Britain 

Fareham, Hampshire

 I wrote a history of the old town of Fareham in Hampshire 

Clanfield

 I wrote about the village of Clanfield in Hampshire 

Farming

 I wrote a history of farming. It's a fascinating story. 

Albania

 28 November is Albania Independence Day. Happy Independence Day. 

Lewes

 I wrote about the Sussex town of Lewes. It has a long and interesting history.

Arundel

 I wrote the history of Arundel. It's a picturesque little town in Sussex, England. It's famous for its castle.

Tudor Christmas

 My friend Wendy wrote a history of Tudor Christmas Read all about how they celebrated Christmas in the 16th century.

Weigh anchor

 Why do we say weigh anchor? It's a corruption of the Old English word wegan, which meant carry or lift. Find out more in my origin of sayings.

Savannah Georgia

 On 26 November 1796, a fire started in Savannah, Georgia. It devastated the town. 

Tooth Worms

 In the past people thought tooth decay was caused by tiny tooth worms 

Medicine

 I wrote a history of medicine from Ancient Times to the present day 

Trowbridge

 I wrote a history of the town of Trowbridge in Wiltshire 

Tunbridge Wells

 I wrote a history of the spa town of Tunbridge Wells 

Ashford

 I wrote a history of the English town of Ashford in Kent 

Money

 I wrote a short history of money. Coins and notes have changed greatly through the years. 

History of Women

 I wrote a history of women 

Survived hanging

 On 24 November 1740, William Duell was hanged for murder. He was taken to the surgeons and laid out to be dissected but he regained consciousness (in those days hanging killed by strangulation rather than by breaking the neck). Duell had his sentence commuted to transportation. This is my history of capital punishment in Britain

Whitehaven

 I wrote a history of Whitehaven, a town in Cumbria, England

Glasgow

 I wrote a history of the great Scottish city of Glasgow 

Blackbeard

 The notorious pirate Edward Teach AKA Blackbeard was killed on 22 November 1718. This is my history of pirates.

Public Health

 I wrote a brief history of public health. It has a surprisingly long history.

Saskatoon

 I wrote a history of the Canadian city of Saskatoon 

Furniture

 I wrote a history of furniture  

East Grinstead

 I wrote a history of the town of East Grinstead. Its name means green place. 

Women in Persia

In Ancient Persia, women could inherit and own property. Many of them had jobs. Some women were made managers, in charge of both male and female workers. If the king died the queen could rule until the crown prince came of age. 

The Town of Petersfield

 I wrote a history of the old market town of Petersfield in Hampshire 

Emsworth History

 I wrote a history of the charming village of Emsworth in Hampshire 

World Toilet Day

 19 November is World Toilet Day. So let's hear it for the men who invented the modern toilet. In 1775 Alexander Cumming was granted a patent for a flushing lavatory. Joseph Bramah made a better design in 1778. In 1883 Mr. A. Ashwell invented the vacant/engaged bolt for public toilets.

Havant

 I wrote the history of the old market town of Havant in Southeast Hampshire 

Women vote in Spain

 On 19 November 1933 women in Spain voted in national elections for the first time. (Women were given the right to vote in 1931). All men in Spain were given the right to vote in 1892.

History of Theatre

 I wrote a history of theatre. It has entertained people for centuries.

Latvian Independence

 18 November is Latvia's Independence Day. Happy Independence Day Latvia 

Paris

 I wrote a brief history of the great French city of Paris 

Stockholm

 I wrote a history of the great Swedish city of Stockholm 

Berlin

 I wrote a history of the great German city of Berlin 

Myths about Henry VIII

 This excellent article debunks some myths about Henry VIII 

Escalators

 The first escalator in Britain was unveiled on 16 November 1898 in Harrods (a famous store in London). This new device was so frightening, to some people that staff were ready at the top with brandy (for men) and smelling salts (for ladies) in case customers fainted or were overcome by the experience.

Corporal Punishment

 New York state has banned corporal punishment in private schools

Romsey

 I wrote a history of the town of Romsey in Hampshire

Colombia

 I wrote a brief history of the South American country of Colombia 

Ecuador

I wrote a brief history of the South American nation of Ecuador 

Uruguay

 I wrote a brief history of Uruguay 

Paraguay

 I wrote a brief history of Paraguay 

Argentina

 I wrote a brief history of Argentina 

The Netherlands

 I wrote a history of the Netherlands. It has a rich and interesting history.

Belgium

 I wrote a brief history of Belgium 

Iceland

 I wrote a brief history of Iceland 

Denmark

 I wrote a history of Denmark 

Condiments

 I wrote a history of condiments 

France

 I wrote a brief history of France from Ancient Times to the 21st Century

Coffee

 I wrote a history of coffee, one of the world's favourite drinks

Dunstable

 I wrote a history of the town of Dunstable in Bedfordshire

Luton

 I wrote a history of the English city of Luton in the South Midlands 

Knickers

 Why are knickers called that? Find out in my history of knickers. 

Cambodia Independence Day

 9 November is Cambodia Independence Day. Here is my history of Cambodia. 

Coventry

 I wrote a history of Coventry. It was once one of England's largest and most important towns. 

Julian of Norwich

 According to tradition, the English mystic Julian of Norwich was born on 8 November 1342

Swansea

 I wrote a history of the Welsh city of Swansea 

Rowlands Castle

 I wrote the history of Rowlands Castle, a charming village in southeast Hampshire

Selsey

 I wrote a history of Selsey. It was once a place of considerable importance but it is now a quiet town.

Worthing

 I wrote a history of Worthing a seaside town in Sussex, England 

Bognor Regis

 I wrote a history of the seaside town of Bognor Regis. For centuries it was a small fishing village till at the end of the 18th century it became a seaside resort.

Panties

 I wrote a history of panties. They have a long history.

Mighty Girl

 This is an interesting website for anyone interested in women's history https://www.amightygirl.com/blog 

Electric Razor

 On 6 November 1928, Jacob Schick patented the electric razor. Well done Jacob. Find out more in my history of washing. 

Basketball

 James Naismith the man who invented basketball was born on 6 November 1861. Learn more in my history of sports. 

Saxophone

 6 November is National Saxophone Day. Adolphe Sax the man who invented the saxophone was born on 6 November 1814. Read more in my history of musical instruments.

Fruit Fool

 By the end of the 16th century, people in England were eating fruit fool. (Its name has nothing to do with idiots. It is derived from the French word fouler, meaning to mash.) Read more in my history of desserts.

Leisure in the Ancient World

 I wrote an article about games and pastimes in the Ancient World 

Going Underground

 On 4 November 1890, the world's first electric underground railway opened in London. One of the first passengers was the future King Edward VII. Learn more about it in my history of transport.

Chichester

 I wrote a history of Chichester. It has a long and fascinating history from its start as a Roman town to the present day. 

Marie Antoinette

 Marie-Antoinette, queen of France was born on 2 November 1755. The unfortunate woman was guillotined in 1793 during the French Revolution.

Pastry Fork

 A pastry fork can mean two things. A pastry fork for eating cakes was invented in Britain in 1886. A different tool, one used in cooking but also called pastry fork was invented in the USA by Anna Mangin. 

Spencer Perceval

 British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was born on 1 November 1762. He was assassinated in 1812. So far he is the only British prime minister to be assassinated.

Taunton

 I wrote about the English town of Taunton. It has a long and interesting history. 

Eastbourne

 I wrote about the charming English town of Eastbourne 

Maidstone

 I wrote a history of the town of Maidstone in Kent

Canterbury

 I wrote a history of the English town of Canterbury. It was founded as a town by the Romans. It's famous for Christopher Marlowe. 

Brighton

 I wrote a history of Brighton. It was once a fishing village, then a market town, and finally became a seaside resort in the 19th century.

Ipswich

 I wrote a history of the town of Ipswich. It has been a town since the 7th century.

Auschwitz

 I wrote an article about the notorious concentration camp Auschwitz 

Amsterdam

 I wrote a short history of the Dutch city of Amsterdam

Sense and Sensibility

 On 29 October 1811, Jane Austen published her famous novel Sense and Sensibility

Endometriosis

This is a museum exhibition about endometriosis 

Gin and Tonic

 19 October is National Gin and Tonic Day. Cheers! 

Timothy Evans

On 18 October 1966, the Queen granted Timothy Evans a royal pardon, 16 years after he was hanged for a murder he did not commit. A History of Capital Punishment.

Smarties Day

 2 October is Smarties Day. When I was a child they were one of my favourite sweets.

Seattle

 This is my history of the city of Seattle 

Timeline of Corporal Punishment

 I wrote a timeline of corporal punishment. Across the world public opinion is turning against it.

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.

Pictures of Horndean

 I made an article of photos of the village of Horndean in Hampshire 

Naval Battle

 On 23 September 1338, the English and the French fought a naval battle. Records say that an English ship called The Cristofer had 3 cannons and a handgun. It was the first recorded time that a ship used guns in battle.

Bulgarian Independence Day

 22 September is Bulgarian Independence Day. Happy Independence Day. 

Weapons on the Mary Rose

 The Anthony Roll is a record of the armaments on board Henry VIII's navy. It offers a fascinating glimpse of the weapons on board his warship The Mary Rose. 

Anglo-Saxon Women

 Four years ago I made this video about Anglo-Saxon women 

H H Holmes

 H H Holmes was a serial killer. But many myths exist about him - probably the result of journalists making them up. This article seeks to debunk them. 

The Inquisition

 I wrote a brief history of the Inquisition 

The Royal George

 On 29 August 1782, the warship Royal George sank while anchored at Spithead off Portsmouth. More than 800 people died including about 300 wives and 60 children of the sailors who were visiting to say goodbye before the ship sailed.

Treaty of Nerchinsk

 On 27 August 1689, China and Russia signed the treaty of Nerchinsk. It was the first time China signed a treaty with a European country. 

The Shark Arm Case

 I wrote about the Shark Arm case, a famous murder case in Sydney, Australia in 1935 

Battle of Crecy

 On 26 August 1346, the English totally defeated the French at the Battle of Crecy. English longbowmen played a decisive part in the battle.

It's a popular myth that the two-finger gesture started because, in the Middle Ages, French soldiers cut two fingers off captured English archers (or threatened to do that) so they could no longer use a bow. So English archers waved two fingers at the French as a gesture of defiance.

It isn't true. The two-finger gesture was first recorded in 1901. It's thought it started in the 19th century but nobody is sure how or why. There is no evidence it has anything to do with archery. There is no evidence that the French ever cut two fingers off captured English archers or threatened to do that. Why would they? If the French captured an English archer wouldn't it be easier just to kill him?

Toilet Paper

 26 August is National Toilet Paper Day 

William Wilberforce

 William Wilberforce, the man who campaigned against slavery was born on 24 August 1759 👏

Zakopane

 I wrote a short history of the town of Zakopane in Poland. It is sometimes called the Winter capital of Poland. ⛷

Chinese Immigrants in Britain

This is an interesting article about Chinese immigrants in Britain 

Hawaii

 On 21 August 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the USA www.localhistories.org/hawaii.html

An Alaskan Cruise

 These are some pictures I took on a recent trip to Western Canada and during a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska. The scenery was breath-taking.

Indonesia

 17 August is Indonesia Independence Day. Here is my history of Indonesia.

A Pauper's Funeral

 In the 18th century if you died poor the local authorities had to pay for your funeral. In the village of Buriton in Hampshire, an old woman was sick. Realising she was dying the authorities put her on a cart and took her to the town of Petersfield. They dumped her in the street. Legally if she died in Petersfield they would have to pay for her burial. Thank you so much. Petersfield refused to pay and they took the case to court. They won.

Enid Blyton

 The famous writer Enid Blyton was born on 11 August 1897. I wrote her biography. 

Bolivian Independence Day

 Bolivia declared its independence from Spain on 6 August 1825

Shanghai

 I wrote a brief history of the great Chinese city of Shanghai 

Facts About the Month of August

 An interesting article Facts About the Month of August 

Beatrix Potter

 Famous writer Beatrix Potter was born on 28 July 1866 

Women Photographers

 Women photographers have a long history. This is an interesting article about women photographers of the 19th century and early 20th century.

International Chess Day

 20 July is International Chess Day ♛

The Mary Rose

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

The pillory

 On 30 June 1837, the pillory (a wooden frame your head and arms were locked into) was abolished in Britain. This is my history of punishments.

Waffle Iron Day

 29 June is National Waffle Iron Day. For hundreds of years, people heated waffles over a fire. The first modern waffle iron was invented by a man named Cornelius Swartwout in 1869. An electric waffle iron went on sale in 1918.

Henry VIII

 Henry VIII was born on 28 June 1491. I wrote a short biography.

Cosham video

 8 years ago I made a video about the history of Cosham in Portsmouth 

Pictures of Botley

 I took some pictures of the charming village of Botley, in Hampshire 

Happy Greenland National Day

 21 June is Greenland's National Day. Here is my history of Greenland.

Sack of Baltimore

 The sack of Baltimore happened on 20 June 1631. People from North Africa often raided Europe for slaves. On this day in 1631, they raided Baltimore in Ireland and they took many slaves. 

Elastic

 A man named Thomas Hancock invented elastic in 1820. At first, it was used for boots and gloves. It wasn't normally used for underwear till the 1920s. 

False teeth

 On 9 June 1822 Charles Graham patented porcelain false teeth. (Previously they often used the teeth of dead people). This is my history of dentistry. 

Mary Seacole

 I wrote a brief biography of the famous 19th century Jamaican woman Mary Seacole 

Sweden

 6 June is Sweden's National Day Here is my history of Sweden 😃 

World Cider Day

 3 June is World Cider Day. See my history of drinks.

Shaftesbury Pictures

 I made a new file about pictures of Shaftesbury and Gillingham in Dorset 

Pictures of Romsey, Hampshire

 I created a new file of my pictures of Romsey - some photos I took in the charming Hampshire town of Romsey, which is famous for its abbey

Christopher Marlowe

 On 30 May 1593, the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe was stabbed and killed.

Dr Guillotin

 Joseph-Ignace Guillotin was born on 28 May 1738. He didn't actually invent the guillotine. Mechanical beheading devices had been used in parts of Europe for centuries. But he proposed that such a device should be used in France as a humane method of killing people. The French government accepted his proposal and it was named the guillotine after him. A history of punishments

International Tea Day

 21 May is International Tea Day. Here is my history of tea.

Women's Rights

 Five years ago I made this video about the history of women's rights 

Robespierre

 Maximilien Robespierre, one of the leaders of the French Revolution was born on 6 May 1758. He was guillotined in 1794.

Pictures of Petersfield

 I took some pictures of the charming market town of Petersfield in Hampshire 

National Astronaut Day

 5 May is National Astronaut Day. This is my history of space exploration.