Scott Allsop's Blog, page 259

10th April 1858: The ‘Big Ben’ bell cast in Whitechapel

On the 10th April 1858 Big Ben – the bell inside the clocktower at the Palace of Westminster in Britain – was cast. Many people think the name Big Ben applies to the clock itself,...

9th April 1767: John Hancock forcibly removes British customs officials from his ship

John Hancock, one of Boston’s wealthiest merchants and a leading figure in Boston politics, forcibly removed customs officials from his ship Lydia. Despite emerging victorious from the Seven Years’ War that had ended in 1763,...

8th April 1904: France and Britain sign the Entente Cordiale

On 8th April 1904, a series of agreements between Britain and France known as the Entente Cordiale were signed. The name is French for “warm understanding,” with the Entente Cordiale settling imperialistic disputes between Britain...

7th April 1141: Matilda declared the ‘Lady of England and Normandy’

Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I of England, was declared the ‘Lady of England and Normandy’ in advance of a coronation that never took place. Matilda had married the future Holy Roman Emperor, Henry...

6th April 1917: The USA declares war on Germany in WW1

The United States entered the First World War after Congress declared war on the German Empire. American President Woodrow Wilson had made his case for war before a special joint session of Congress four days...

5th April 1951: Julius and Ethel Rosenberg sentenced to death for spying

Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were sentenced to death in the United States for conspiracy to commit espionage.  Julius and Ethel Rosenberg met when they were members of the Young Communist League in New York. It...

4th April 1925: Adolf Hitler orders the establishment of the SS

  The Nazi Party founded a paramilitary organisation that became the Schutzstaffel, better known as the SS. The organisation was established on the orders of Adolf Hitler to act as his personal bodyguard. He had...

3rd April 1860: The first Pony Express service went into operation

The first Pony Express service left the American city of St Joseph in Missouri destined for Sacramento in California. Established shortly before the first transcontinental telegraph, the mail service used mounted riders and was, for...

2nd April 1982: Falklands War begins with Argentine invasion

On the 2nd April 1982, the Falklands War began when Argentina launched an amphibious invasion of the Falkland Islands. The Argentine occupation ended 74 days later on the 14th June following a bitter conflict that...

1st April 1924: Hitler found guilty of treason for the Beer Hall Putsch

On the 1st April 1924, Adolf Hitler was found guilty of treason for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch and sentenced to five years in jail. His comfortable Festungshaft (which translates as fortress confinement)...