Scott Allsop's Blog, page 238

29th September 1829: The Metropolitan Police begins operating in London

The Metropolitan Police, which is often considered to be the first modern police force, began operating in London. Informally known as ‘the Met’, the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 established the first structured system of law...

28th September 1928: Penicillin discovered by Alexander Fleming

On the 28th September 1928, the bacteriologist Alexander Fleming laid for the foundation for a revolution in modern medicine when he discovered the world’s first antibiotic. Penicillin – which Fleming originally referred to as ‘mould...

27th September 1590: Pope Urban VII dies, ending the the shortest papal reign in history

The shortest papacy in history ended after just twelve days following the death of Pope Urban VII, shortly after he introduced Europe’s first smoking ban. Giovanni Battista Castagna was elected as Pope on 15 September...

26th September 1923: Germany ends the strikes in the Ruhr

On the 26th September 1923, German Chancellor Gustav Stresemann ended passive resistance in the Ruhr and resumed the payment of First World War reparations. By doing so he was able to slow down the economic...

25th September 1956: Inauguration TAT-1, the first transatlantic telephone cable

The world’s first submarine transatlantic telephone cable system was inaugurated. Known as Transatlantic No. 1 or TAT-1, the £120 million system actually consisted of two identical cables to allow transmission in each direction. Prompted by...

24th September 1946: ‘Containment’ first suggested in a US report

On the 24th September 1946, Clark Clifford and George Elsey presented a report to President Truman in which they recommended “restraining and confining” Soviet influence. The report helped to shape Truman’s decision to follow a...

23rd September 1338: First naval battle with artillery takes place in the Hundred Years’ War

The first recorded naval battle featuring artillery took place in the first naval engagement of the Hundred Years’ War. The Battle of Arnemuiden saw five slow but stable single-masted English cogs face 48 galleys of...

22nd September 1980: Iraq-Iran war begins

On the 22nd September 1980, the longest conventional war of the 20th Century began when Iraq launched an invasion of Iran. The Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, dubbed it the ‘Whirlwind War’ in which he expected...

21st September 1915: Cecil Chubb, Stonehenge’s last private owner, wins it at auction

Cecil Chubb became the last private owner of Stonehenge, having bought the Neolithic monument at auction. Chubb grew up four miles away from the famous stones in the English village of Shrewton, where his father...

20th September 1066: Harald Hardrada wins Battle of Fulford

On the 20th September 1066, Harald Hardrada – the Viking king – defeated his northern English enemies at the Battle of Fulford. The defeat of Harold Godwinson’s northern earls was disastrous for the new English...