by David West | Jun 17, 2025 | News
On the 17th of June, 1579, Sir Francis Drake claimed a land which he called “Nova Albion” for England. We now know it as California. I owe a great debt to Drake, since it was in reading the biography of him by George Malcolm Thomson that I discovered the exploits of...
by David West | Jun 16, 2025 | News
On the 16th of June, 1904, James Joyce began a relationship with Nora Barnacle. He used this date to set the timeline for his novel Ulysses. The day is now known as Bloomsday. I suppose you could say it was a factor in his inspiration. James Joyce, an eminent Irish...
by David West | Jun 15, 2025 | News
On the 15th of June, 1215, King John put his seal to Magna Carta. The Magna Carta, often heralded as a pioneering document in the development of constitutional governance, holds a significant place in history. It marked the commencement of a shift in the balance of...
by David West | Jun 14, 2025 | News
On the 14th of June, 1822, Charles Babbage proposed a difference engine in a paper to the Royal Astronomical Society. Born on 26 December 1791 in London, Babbage was the son of a wealthy banker, Benjamin Babbage. His early education was somewhat sporadic due to health...
by David West | Jun 13, 2025 | News
On the 13th of June, 1525, Martin Luther married Katharina Von Bora. When discussing the Reformation, Martin Luther’s name often takes centre stage, celebrated for his pivotal role in changing the course of religious history. I was very unimpressed by Martin...
by David West | Jun 12, 2025 | News
On the 12th of June, 1381, rebels assembled at Blackheath, just outside London, during the Peasants’ Revolt. In researching this post, a myth that I held to be true since childhood, has been shattered. I was born and grew up within a few miles of Blackheath. The story...
