I wrote a brief history of the great American city of Boston
Thursday, 30 November 2023
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).
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Farming
I wrote a history of farming. It's a fascinating story.
Albania
28 November is Albania Independence Day. Happy Independence Day.
Monday, 27 November 2023
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.
Sunday, 26 November 2023
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
Saturday, 25 November 2023
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
Friday, 24 November 2023
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.
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
Thursday, 23 November 2023
Whitehaven
I wrote a history of Whitehaven, a town in Cumbria, England
Wednesday, 22 November 2023
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.
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
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
East Grinstead
I wrote a history of the town of East Grinstead. Its name means green place.
Monday, 20 November 2023
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.
Emsworth History
I wrote a history of the charming village of Emsworth in Hampshire
Sunday, 19 November 2023
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.
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.
Saturday, 18 November 2023
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
Friday, 17 November 2023
Stockholm
I wrote a history of the great Swedish city of Stockholm
Berlin
I wrote a history of the great German city of Berlin
Thursday, 16 November 2023
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
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Colombia
I wrote a brief history of the South American country of Colombia
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Ecuador
I wrote a brief history of the South American nation of Ecuador
Monday, 13 November 2023
The Netherlands
I wrote a history of the Netherlands. It has a rich and interesting history.
Sunday, 12 November 2023
Saturday, 11 November 2023
Friday, 10 November 2023
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
Thursday, 9 November 2023
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.
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
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
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
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.
Monday, 6 November 2023
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.
Sunday, 5 November 2023
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
Saturday, 4 November 2023
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.
Friday, 3 November 2023
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.
Thursday, 2 November 2023
Marie Antoinette
Marie-Antoinette, queen of France was born on 2 November 1755. The unfortunate woman was guillotined in 1793 during the French Revolution.
Wednesday, 1 November 2023
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