On this day…in 1564
Shakespeare was born on this day in 1564, and on the same day he died in 1616. Although the plays of William Shakespeare may be the most widely read works in the English language, little is known for certain about the playwright himself. Some scholars even believe the plays were not written by William Shakespeare … [Read the full story]
First book in America up for auction for $30m
A tiny hymnal from 1640 believed to be the first book ever printed in what is now the United States is going up for auction, and it could sell for as much as $30 million. Only 11 copies of the Bay Psalm Book survive in varying degrees of completeness. Members of Boston’s Old South Church … [Read the full story]
A toilet was going to be built by remains of King
In the UK, they have discovered the remains of the last English King who died in battle. English slang for a ‘poo’ is ‘Richard the Third’ …’turd’. Put in the context, “I’m going for a Richard”. But funnily enough, the reason the car park (where Richard the 3rd’s remains were discovered) was being dug up, … [Read the full story]
On this day…in 1915
During World War I, Britain suffers its first casualties from an air attack when two German Zeppelins drop bombs on the eastern coast of England. The zeppelin, a motor-driven rigid airship, was developed by German inventor Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin in 1900. Although a French inventor had built a power-driven airship several decades before, the … [Read the full story]
On this day…in 1916
On January 8, 1916, Allied forces stage a full retreat from the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey, ending a disastrous invasion of the Ottoman Empire. The Gallipoli Campaign resulted in 250,000 Allied casualties and greatly discredited Allied military command. Roughly an equal number of Turks were killed or wounded. In early 1915, the … [Read the full story]
Is Matt O’Connor a Force to be reckoned with?
English Premiership club Leicester have rubbished reports claiming their Australian head coach, Matt O’Connor, could quit to take charge of Western Force. O’Connor is believed to be high on the Perth-based franchise’s wanted list as they look for a new coach following the sacking of Richard Graham in April. However, the Tigers insist O’Connor, who … [Read the full story]
Britain deploys nuclear sub to the Falklands
A fearsome Royal Navy nuclear powered submarine is on its way to the Falklands as tensions simmer on the 30th anniversary of Britain’s war with Argentina. HMS Talent, armed with Tomahawk missiles, was despatched in a show of power after Argentina increased friction over the disputed islands with a host of inflammatory stunts. The Trafalgar-class … [Read the full story]
Wheel Power win 58-0…in soccer !
An amateur English soccer team scored 58 goals in a single game without reply to hand out the biggest-ever defeat in the country’s history. Wheel Power FC netted 20 times in the first half before adding 38 more goals in the second half against local rival Nova 2010 FC to complete the 58-0 league win … [Read the full story]
Pete Doherty isn’t injecting drugs anymore…
Pete Doherty has claimed that he has stopped injecting drugs. The former Libertines rocker said that he had been inspired to clean up his act by his new girlfriend. He said: “I’ve stopped injecting. The only way I can see myself in a serious relationship is if I am toning it down a bit. When you’re … [Read the full story]
On this day…in 1884
On this day in 1884, the first portion, or fascicle, of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), considered the most comprehensive and accurate dictionary of the English language, is published. Today, the OED is the definitive authority on the meaning, pronunciation and history of over half a million words, past and present. Plans for the dictionary … [Read the full story]
