Bathing

It's a silly myth that during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries people thought bathing was bad for you. It is complete twaddle. In reality, doctors emphasised that keeping clean was necessary for health. Being clean was also seen as good or virtuous. In the 18th century, John Wesley said ‘cleanliness is next to godliness. Being dirty was a sign of a bad soul. Wearing dirty clothes was also frowned upon. localhistories.org/a-history-of-baths-and-showers

Anne Askew

 On 16 July 1546, a Protestant woman named Anne Askew was burned to death for heresy. She was the only woman ever to be tortured in the Tower of London. She was tortured on the rack but she refused to change her beliefs. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-anne-askew/

Seat belt

 On 10 July 1962 a Swedish man, Bils Bohlin patented a 3 point seatbelt. Well done Bils. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-transport/

Ruth Ellis

 Ruth Ellis was hanged on 13 July 1955. She was the last woman to be hanged in Britain. https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-capital-punishment/

Football

 Hands up who likes football? Hands up who doesn’t? I’m talking about soccer, football as we know it here in the UK. It is a game played across the globe as proved by David Beckham when he played a game on every continent back in 2015, making history! In Europe football fans have been cheering their national teams in the Euro2020’s, taking place in 2021 (for the obvious reason and something that will matter in pub quizzes and history in years to come no doubt). Why has such a game endured for so long in so many places? I can’t resist a bit of research and it’s fascinating, the full article is here https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-sport/. Enjoy the football, or enjoy whatever you do to avoid it, it’s history in the making whatever happens.

World Chocolate Day

 7 July is World Chocolate Day Hooray! https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-chocolate/

Thomas More

 Thomas More was executed for treason on 6 July 1535. https://localhistories.org/a-brief-biography-of-thomas-more/