Scott Allsop's Blog, page 19

23rd January 1795: French cavalry capture 14 Dutch warships at Den Helder during the War of the First Coalition

On the night of 23 January, a contingent of French cavalry, supported by infantry, was able to approach the Dutch ships across thick ice on ...

22nd January 1506: Pope Julius II formally establishes the Pontifical Swiss Guard as the personal bodyguard of the Pope and the Vatican

Recognizing the military prowess of Swiss mercenaries, Pope Julius II obtained funding from the wealthy German merchant Jakob Fugger to fund a contingent of soldiers to ensure his safety, protect Vatican property, and assist in military engagements when ...

21st January 1908: Sullivan’s Ordinance in New York prohibits women from smoking in public places

Alderman Timothy Sullivan proposed the ordinance that made it illegal for proprietors or managers of hotels, restaurants, and other public places to allow women to smoke on their premises. Despite public opposition, the New York City Board of Aldermen voted for it ...

20th January 1949: Shirley Temple given a tear gas fountain pen by J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI, during the inauguration of Harry Truman

Temple's years in the limelight had made her a target for death threats, kidnapping threats, and extortion threats. As a result she formed a close relationship with J. Edgar Hoover, the director of the FBI, who gave her a tear-gas fountain pen while they watched the inauguration procession from his office ...

19th January 1883: World’s first electric lighting system using overhead wires activated in Roselle, New Jersey

Designed by Thomas Edison and his team, the system included a central steam-powered generator that supplied electricity to a store and the railroad station, alongside 40 houses and 150 ...

16th January 1547: Ivan the Terrible formally crowned as the first Tsar of Russia

The coronation ceremony was an elaborate event designed to emphasize Ivan’s authority and the sanctity of his rule, and he followed it by pursuing a series of reforms and expansionist policies aimed at consolidating his power and strengthening the ...

14th January 1973: Elvis Presley makes the first solo headline satellite broadcast in Aloha From Hawaii

Elvis Presley became the first solo entertainer to broadcast a live performance via satellite with Aloha From ...

13th January 532: The Nika riots begin in Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Justinian I

The riots spread throughout Constantinople and buildings, including the Hagia Sophia and parts of the imperial palace, were set on fire. Much of the city was left in ...

12th January 1967: Dr James Bedford becomes the first cryonically preserved human

Dr James Hiram Bedford became the first human to be cryonically ...

11th January 1879: Anglo-Zulu War begins when British troops cross the Tugela River into Zululand

The British plan involved a three-pronged advance into Zululand, with the main column, led by Lord Chelmsford, heading toward the Zulu capital at ...