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

Old Southampton

 I made a video of a walk around the old town of Southampton 

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