Scott Allsop's Blog, page 12

25th March 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their first “Bed-In for Peace” at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam

For a week, Lennon and Ono remained in bed, dressed in white pyjamas, while allowing journalists and photographers into their room to spread their anti-war ...

24th March 1944: The ‘Great Escape’ takes place from Stalag Luft III, a German prisoner-of-war camp in Lower Silesia

Prisoners had worked in shifts to dig a tunnel known as "Harry" that was over 100 metres long and equipped with ventilation systems and ...

21st March 1871: Otto von Bismarck formally appointed first Chancellor of the German Empire

Under Bismarck’s leadership, domestic policies sought to consolidate German unity and reduce opposition to the new state while foreign policy focused on maintaining stability in Europe and preventing conflicts that could threaten the new empire, by establishing a system of alliances that isolated ...

20th March 1815: Napoleon Bonaparte begins his Hundred Days as ruler of France following his escape from Elba

Napoleon sought to consolidate his rule by promising reforms and peace in Europe, but the powers of the Seventh Coalition including Britain, Prussia, Austria, and Russia declared him an outlaw and he was defeated at the Battle of ...

19th March 1882: First stone laid for the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

The first stone of Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica was ...

18th March 1921: Kronstadt Rebellion ends following a final assault by Bolshevik forces

On 7 March 1921, the Red Army launched an attack on Kronstadt across the frozen Gulf of Finland. The battle lasted for nearly two weeks, with heavy casualties on both ...

17th March 1861: Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy under the rule of Victor Emmanuel II

The Italian parliament convened in Turin to proclaim the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy under Victor Emmanuel II, previously King of Sardinia, who was declared the first King of ...

15th March 1848: Hungarian Revolution of 1848 begins in Pest, marking the start of a nationwide movement against Habsburg rule

Inspired by revolutionary movements in France and other parts of Europe, Hungarian reformers sought a constitutional government. However, by August 1849 the Hungarian forces were overwhelmed and the revolution was ...

13th March 624: Battle of Badr sees the first major engagement between the early Muslim community of Medina and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca

The Quraysh, despite their numerical superiority, were unprepared for the determined resistance they encountered, leading to to around 70 men, including key Quraysh leaders, being killed while many others were captured. The surviving Quraysh retreated to Mecca, marking a decisive victory for Muhammad and his ...

12th March 1938: Nazi German troops cross the border to annex Austria in an event known as the Anschluss

German forces entered Austria without resistance and incorporated Austria into Germany, after which a referendum was held that showed overwhelming support for the ...