Alcatraz Prison Closes
The notorious prison was closed for good on 21 March 1963.
Months Past
Australia’s New Capital is Named
Canberra was born on March 12th, 1913.
First Day of the London Tube
The capital went underground on 10 January 1863.
The Publication of Grimm’s Fairy Tales
A landmark in folklore was published on December 20th, 1812.
The Gatling Gun Patented
The first commercially successful machine gun emerged on November 4th, 1862.
Birth of Mary Kingsley
The pioneering traveller was born on 13 October 1862.
The discovery of Petra
The 'lost' city re-emerged on 22 August 1812.
The Assassination of Spencer Perceval
The only British Prime Minister to be murdered whilst in office was shot dead on 11 May 1812.
Archbishop Aelfheah of Canterbury Murdered by Vikings
The medieval holy man was killed by the Danes on 19 April 1012.
Edward Wightman Executed for Heresy
The last person burned to death at the stake for heresy was executed on April 11th, 1612.