Library of Congress
On the 24th of April, 1800, The U.S.A.’s Library of Congress was established. It is the largest library in the world, both in terms of shelf space and number of books. Situated in Washington, D.C., this monumental institution holds a special place in the hearts of...
Saint George
The 23rd of April is, of course, Saint George’s Day. It is also the day on which King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, William Shakespeare’s birthday (1564), and, it is believed, the day he died (1616). On Saint George’s Day in 1516 the Munich...
Treaty of Zaragoza
On the 22nd of April, 1529, the Treaty of Zaragoza divided the eastern hemisphere between Spain and Portugal. The Treaty of Zaragoza, also known as the Treaty of Saragossa, was a significant historical agreement between the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal. It resolved...
The Red Baron
On the 21st of April, 1918, Manfred Von Richthofen, “The Red Baron”, was shot down a killed. Manfred von Richthofen, also famously known as the Red Baron, was a legendary fighter pilot during World War I and is often considered the ace-of-aces of the war with 80...
Richard Hillary
Richard Hillary was born on the 20th of April 1919. My favourite book is “The Last Enemy”, which he wrote after being shot down and badly burnt in his Spitfire, during the Battle of Britain. It was also Adolf Hitler’s birthday, but I’d rather write about Hillary. He...
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London was signed on the 19th of April, 1839. It is a significant diplomatic agreement that played a crucial role in European geopolitics during the 19th century. The treaty is renowned for recognising Belgium's independence and its perpetual neutrality,...
Roland Garros
On the 18th of April, 1915, Roland Garros, a French fighter pilot in World War I, was shot down and glided to a landing on the German side of the lines. Whilst I am not fanatically interested in tennis, I was an avid reader of the Biggles books as a boy, and learnt to...
Diet of Worms
On the 17th of April, 1521, the trial of Martin Luther began during the Diet of Worms. Martin Luther is mentioned in Called to Account, the fourth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures. The Diet of Worms was a significant event in European history, held in 1521...
Battle of Megiddo
Following yesterday’s post about the Battle of Formigny, we look almost three millennia back to the Battle of Megiddo, which was fought on the 16th of April, 1457 BCE, according to The Middle Chronicle, although some sources disagree. The Battle of Megiddo is one of...
Library of Congress
On the 24th of April, 1800, The U.S.A.’s Library of Congress was established. It is the largest library in the world, both in terms of shelf space and number of books. Situated in Washington, D.C., this monumental institution holds a special place in the hearts of...
Saint George
The 23rd of April is, of course, Saint George’s Day. It is also the day on which King Edward III founded the Order of the Garter, William Shakespeare’s birthday (1564), and, it is believed, the day he died (1616). On Saint George’s Day in 1516 the Munich...
Treaty of Zaragoza
On the 22nd of April, 1529, the Treaty of Zaragoza divided the eastern hemisphere between Spain and Portugal. The Treaty of Zaragoza, also known as the Treaty of Saragossa, was a significant historical agreement between the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal. It resolved...
The Red Baron
On the 21st of April, 1918, Manfred Von Richthofen, “The Red Baron”, was shot down a killed. Manfred von Richthofen, also famously known as the Red Baron, was a legendary fighter pilot during World War I and is often considered the ace-of-aces of the war with 80...
Richard Hillary
Richard Hillary was born on the 20th of April 1919. My favourite book is “The Last Enemy”, which he wrote after being shot down and badly burnt in his Spitfire, during the Battle of Britain. It was also Adolf Hitler’s birthday, but I’d rather write about Hillary. He...
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London was signed on the 19th of April, 1839. It is a significant diplomatic agreement that played a crucial role in European geopolitics during the 19th century. The treaty is renowned for recognising Belgium's independence and its perpetual neutrality,...
Roland Garros
On the 18th of April, 1915, Roland Garros, a French fighter pilot in World War I, was shot down and glided to a landing on the German side of the lines. Whilst I am not fanatically interested in tennis, I was an avid reader of the Biggles books as a boy, and learnt to...
Diet of Worms
On the 17th of April, 1521, the trial of Martin Luther began during the Diet of Worms. Martin Luther is mentioned in Called to Account, the fourth book in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures. The Diet of Worms was a significant event in European history, held in 1521...
Battle of Megiddo
Following yesterday’s post about the Battle of Formigny, we look almost three millennia back to the Battle of Megiddo, which was fought on the 16th of April, 1457 BCE, according to The Middle Chronicle, although some sources disagree. The Battle of Megiddo is one of...