“As many mists as ye have in March, so many frosts in July.” In Scotland today in 1890, the Forth railway bridge is opened. It’s the longest in Britain at 1710 feet! Sadly, 57 people died building this bridge.
March 3
In 1895 Munich begins to give a driving test for bicycle riders. Those who pass receive licence plates for their bicycles. In 1884 a Munich businessman and his wife rode a home made bicycle down the main street. A headline in a leading newspaper protested the next day. “A SCANDELOUS DRIVE” “Without shame, proud as…
March 2
The first ballet is performed in London in 1717. Purim commemorates the day when the beautiful Jewish Queen Esther saved the Jews of Persia from destruction by Haman, the chief minister of King Ahasuerus and enemy of the Jews. At Ester’s behest Haman was hanged by the King instead of the Jews being hanged by…
March 1
‘Whan that month in which the world bigan, That highte March, whan God first maked man.’ Chaucer March was the beginning of the legal year in Great Britain and the Colonies until 1752. Thus, for example, from February 24, 1710, to March 4, 1711, was 8 days, not a year and 8 days. In the…
Curiosities everyday for a year
I have this book called The Illuminated Book of Days by Kay & Marshall Lee. Everyday has an entry about some curious history fact, either something that happened on that day in history or some odd, and very old rhyme or saying. I also have a Dreadful Diary from Horrible Histories by Terry Deary and…
The Great Gatsby
For those of you who reside in Cape Town, you really shouldn’t miss this show at the Star Theatre. Last night was the opening of The Great Gatsby, a play based on the well-known book of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is set in the jazz age, with characters who are…
Header and Footer
It is better to write something than nothing at all. Once you accept that what you write has most likely been written before, many – many times, then whatever you write will seem less significant and less in need of perfection. It’s not that your words are not important and shouldn’t be written with care…
Many Interests 