Scott Allsop's Blog, page 236
November 23, 2017
HistoryPod Extra: Debunking the origin of ‘Black Friday’
Every year on the day after the American holiday of Thanksgiving, millions of shoppers head to the stores to take advantage of cut-price deals offered by retailers. The day has become known as Black Friday,...
November 22, 2017
23rd November 1963: First episode of Doctor Who broadcast
On the 23rd November 1963, the first ever episode of cult science fiction television show Doctor Who was broadcast by the BBC. Called An Unearthly Child, the episode was the first of a four-part serial...
November 21, 2017
22nd November 1718: The pirate Blackbeard killed by sailors under Robert Maynard
The British pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, was killed during a battle with British sailors under the command of Lieutenant Robert Maynard. Details of Teach’s early life are so sparse that historians are...
November 20, 2017
21st November 1877: Thomas Edison announces the phonograph
On the 21st November 1877, American inventor Thomas Edison announced his phonograph, the world’s first practical machine that could record and play sound using a cylinder. Although Frenchman Charles Cros presented plans for a sound...
November 19, 2017
20th November 1969: Native Americans begin their occupation of Alcatraz Island
The Occupation of Alcatraz was launched by a group of 89 members of the Indians of All Tribes in an attempt to gain control under the Treaty of Fort Laramie that had been signed in...
November 18, 2017
19th November 1863: Lincoln delivers Gettysburg Address
On the 19th November 1863, US President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lasting just over two minutes, it is often noted as one...
November 17, 2017
18th November 1987: 31 people killed in the Kings Cross fire on the London Underground
The worst fire in the history of the London Underground killed 31 people at Kings Cross St Pancras station. King’s Cross St Pancras is a major intersection on the London Underground network. Numerous deep platforms...
November 16, 2017
17th November 1558: Queen Elizabeth I’s reign begins
On the 17th November 1558, Elizabeth I succeeded her half-sister Mary to become queen of England. The last of the Tudor dynasty, Elizabeth’s reign is seen by many as a ‘golden age’ in English history....
November 15, 2017
16th November 1990: Milli Vanilli stripped of Grammy Award for not singing on their album
German pop duo Milli Vanilli were stripped of the Grammy Award for Best New Artist after it emerged that they did not sing any of the vocals on their debut album. Milli Vanilli was founded...
November 14, 2017
15th November 1917: Clemenceau appointed Prime Minister of France
On the 15th November 1917, Georges Clemenceau was appointed Prime Minister of France for the second time. His appointment was something of a surprise, especially as it was made by President Raymond Poincare with whom...
