History Today

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 29 July 2008 12:51:49

History Today:

1014: Byzantine emperor Basil II 'Bulgar Slayer' captures and blinds most of the 15000 strong Bulgarian army. Life was simpler in those days!

1565: Mary, Queen of Scots, marries Lord Darnley, her cousin.

1588: The Spanish Armada is defeated at the Battle of Gravelines.

1805: Alexis de Tocqueville is born. He goes on to become a historian, politician and political scientist.

1833: William Wiberforce dies.

1856: "Mad" Robert Schumann the composer dies.

1890: Vincent van Gogh dies. He is called a Post-Impressionist painter. A bit like Tommy Cooper then....

1948: The 14th Olympic Games open at Wembley. The first games in 12 years due to World War 2.

1949: The first weather forecast is broadcast by the BBC. Not sure whether or not they got it right though.