Scott Allsop's Blog, page 160

2nd January 1981: Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, arrested

On the 2nd January 1981, serial killer Peter Sutcliffe – otherwise known as the Yorkshire Ripper – was arrested by ...

1st January 1772: First traveller’s cheques, known as “circular notes”, put on sale

The first traveller’s cheques, in the form of a ‘circular note’ issued by a bank, went on sale in ...

31st December 1935: Monopoly board game patented

On the 31st December 1935, the board game Monopoly was ...

30th December 1993: Israel and the Vatican City begin diplomatic relations

Relations between Catholicism and Judaism cover a long, complex and violent history in which Christians revered the Jewish scriptures yet held Jews collectively responsible for the crucifixion of ...

29th December 1170: Thomas Becket murdered in Canterbury Cathedral

On the 29th December 1170, Thomas Becket – the Archbishop of Canterbury – was murdered in front of the altar of Canterbury ...

28th December 1895: Wilhelm Röntgen publishes his discovery of X-rays

Röntgen was experimenting with vacuum tubes at the University of Würzburg when he discovered the new ‘invisible light’ on 8 November ...

27th December 537: Hagia Sophia basilica inaugurated

On the 27th December 537, Hagia Sophia was inaugurated by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and Patriarch Menas of ...

26th December 1973: Horror film The Exorcist first released in cinemas

The Exorcist is one of the highest-grossing films of all time, but originally opened in just twenty-six American ...

25th December 1066: William the Conquerer crowned king of England

On the 25th December 1066, William of Normandy was crowned King of England at Westminster ...

24th December 1826: The Eggnog Riot broke out at West Point Military Academy, New York

Cadets sought to continue the annual tradition of drinking homemade eggnog on Christmas ...