Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our readers. The phrase Merry Christmas was first recorded in 1534 when Bishop John Fisher wrote a letter to Henry VIII's chancellor Thomas Cromwell.

Winston Churchill

 Winston Churchill was born on 30 November 1874 https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-winston-churchill/

Darwin

 On 24 November 1859, Charles Darwin's book On The Origin of Species was published 

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was a sad woman who heard 'voices'. She was eventually burned to death. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/neurologists-speculate-joan-arc-heard-voices-because-she-suffered-epilepsy-020929?fbclid=IwAR1ydZybgb8zFutBJFT_5GLVh50PydS74lxa-4VcVr8Dd121sjetowWj9nE

Victorian ladies

 I am sure we have all wondered how did women in the 19th century go to the toilet (use the bathroom) with all those layers of clothing. This excellent video discreetly explains it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUHeSTDv_24

An article about bullying

Reverend WendyMay Jacobs writes about bullying  https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/thinking-anew-god-is-always-on-the-side-of-those-being-bullied-1.4414559?fbclid=IwAR05Yuh1Ps0lgqGC05eTlSSLtcHaZW-yM7xtjG8L7EBzFW5TgfuMBGd0GGE#.X7j7x7BasE4.facebook

World Toilet Day

 19 November is World Toilet Day. So let's hear it for the men who invented the modern toilet. In 1596 Sir John Harrington invented a flushing lavatory with a cistern. However, the idea failed to catch on. However, in 1775 Alexander Cumming was granted a patent for a flushing lavatory. Joseph Bramah made a better design in 1778. In 1883 a Mr. Ashwell invented the vacant/engaged bolt for public toilets.