Beethoven’s Heiligenstadt Testament
On 6 October 1802 Ludwig van Beethoven confessed his despair at the loss of his hearing in the Heiligenstadt Testament.
Mathew Lyons
Death of Musical Coalman Thomas Britton
Coal merchant and concert promoter Thomas Britton passed away on 27 September 1714 after a prank went awry.
The Hatry Group Collapse
Charles Hatry’s fraudulent business empire collapsed on 20 September 1929. It was the biggest crash the London stock market had ever seen.
Patent Granted for Zeppelin’s Airship
A project worthy of Jules Verne: the first rigid airship began its ascent on 31 August 1895.
Last of the Cottingley Fairies
The final fraudulent Cottingley fairies photograph was taken on 21 August 1920 by Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths.
Beginning of the Spanish Civil War
On 17 July 1936 colonial troops rose against the republican government in Madrid. The Spanish Civil War had started.
The First Tour de France
On 1 July 1903 a publicity stunt for a sporting paper cycled into history as the first Tour de France.
End of the Gin Craze
The Gin Act of 25 June 1751 finally succeeded where previous legislation had failed and banished ‘Madam Genever’ from Georgian London.
Henry the Young King is Crowned
On 14 June 1170 Henry II crowned his successor. Rather than secure the Angevin realm, it set the stage for rebellion.
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace
On 31 May 1786 Paris relished the humiliation of Marie Antoinette as the Affaire du collier de la reine concluded in court.