Tuesday, 16 September 2025

Jina Mahsa Amini

 On 16 September 2022 an Iranian woman, Jina Mahsa Amini died in custody after being arrested by the Morality Police for 'improper clothing'. Her death started a series of protests with the slogan Woman, Life, Freedom.

Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Cruel Sports Banned

 On 9 September 1835, a new law in Britain outlawed 'sports' such as bull baiting. (A bull was chained to a post and dogs were trained to attack it. Some butchers would not sell bull meat unless the bull had been bitten by dogs. They said it made the meat more tender). The new law also banned cockfighting and dogfighting. Of course, making them illegal and actually stopping them were two different things but it was a step in the right direction.

Sunday, 7 September 2025

Gas Central Heating

 Central heating has been around since Ancient Times. But in 1919, a woman named Alice Parker patented a central heating system fueled by gas rather than coal. However, her design was never built because it was unsafe. The first practical gas central heating system was invented by the Chaffoteaux brothers in France in 1925.

Friday, 5 September 2025

W T Stead 1885

In 1885, a journalist called W T Stead purchased a 13-year-old girl from a woman for prostitution. (At that time, the age of consent was 13). The girl’s mother sold her for 5 pounds (several weeks' wages for many people). The buyer made it clear that the child must be ‘pure’ i.e. a virgin. But Stead took the girl to safety in France. Stead then wrote about it to show how easy it was to buy a child. Partly as a result, the age of consent was raised to 16.

Thursday, 4 September 2025

England's Birthday

On 4 September 925, King Athelstan became the first king to rule all of England. The date is traditionally seen as the foundation day of England. You might say it's England's birthday.

Monday, 1 September 2025

Theano of Crotona

The famous mathematician Pythagoras was married to a woman named Theano of Crotona. She was a famous mathematician in her own right. Pythagoras allowed women to study at his famous school.

Sunday, 31 August 2025