National Cake Day

 26 November is National Cake Day. This is my history of cakes and biscuits. 

The Little Ice Age

 On 24 November 1434, the River Thames in London froze. It was the first recorded instance of the river freezing. In the early 14th century, the Earth cooled down. It went through a 'cool' period called the Little Ice Age. Winters in England became much colder. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the ice on the River Thames was so thick people sometimes erected tents on it and held fairs there. They were called Frost Fairs. Fortunately, in the mid-19th century, the Earth began to warm again.

World Children's Day

 20 November is World Children's Day. This is my history of children.

Moroccan Independence Day

 18 November is Moroccan Independence Day 

Unemployed Demonstration 1887

 On 13 November 1887, a mass demonstration was held in Trafalgar Square in London. That year the unemployed held a number of demonstrations there. Eventually, the police banned demonstrations in the square. A demonstration was planned for Trafalgar Square on 13 November.

(The demonstration was first called to demand the release of an Irish MP who had been jailed for supporting a rent strike. But many people went to defend the right to demonstrate). Police and troops were sent in to clear the square and in the ensuing violence, two men died. The event became known as Bloody Sunday.

Breakfast

In the Middle Ages the Church disapproved of eating breakfast. It was seen as gluttony. In the 13th century, the theologian Thomas Aquinas said it was sinful. Working people often had a snack of bread and cheese during the morning after a couple of hours of work. The old and infirm were also allowed some food in the morning. But having a meal when you woke up was sinful. Attitudes began to change in the 15th century. In the 16th century eating breakfast became common.

The word bra

 The word bra is derived from an old French word braciere, meaning a piece of armour that protects your arm. It came to mean a breastplate and later a woman's corset. The word also changed to brassiere. The modern bra was invented by Mary Phelps Jacob. She used two handkerchiefs joined by ribbon. In the 1930s the name shortened to bra.

Suleiman the Magnificent

 The great ruler of the Turkish Empire, Suleiman the Magnificent was born on 6 November 1494. He reigned from 1520 to 1566 and he was one of the most powerful men in the world. His empire included Southeastern Europe.

Chelmsford

 I wrote the history of Chelmsford. It was originally a Roman town. 

Fireworks

Fireworks were first recorded in England in 1486 at the marriage of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.