Walter de la Mare was a St Paul’s choirboy
On this day in 1873 English poet and writer Walter de la Mare was born. Jack (he did not like the name Walter) was the... Read More
Miguel de Cervantes was captured by pirates
On this day in 1616 Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes died aged 69. Cervantes had been a soldier and sailor in his youth and had... Read More
Queen Elizabeth II did not expect the Throne
On this day in 1926 Queen Elizabeth II was born, in Mayfair, London. Her father had never expected to become monarch and nor did she.... Read More
Tiananmen Square rally shakes China
On this day in 1989 a pro-democracy student rally began in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Popular support for the rally grew rapidly and there were similar rallies,... Read More
Albert Einstein wanted to die elegantly
On this day in 1955 Swiss physicist Albert Einstein died of an aneurism aged 76. He could have had surgery but refused, saying: “I want... Read More
Chaucer the Canterbury pilgrim, was he murdered?
On this day in 1397 Geoffrey Chaucer recounted the Canterbury Tales at the court of King Richard II of England. The Canterbury Tales put him... Read More
Broadway continues what Sophocles began
On this day in 1787 the first play by an American writer was performed at the John Street Theatre in New York City. Entitled ’The... Read More