British History by Month: April

1st

1918

This, now pivotal arm of the British military was formed, combining two previously independent corps

2nd

1801

Vice-Admiral Nelson deliberately disregards orders and leads the main attack during this victorious battle, becoming a Viscount as a result

3rd

1693

This self-taught inventor and horologist, whose inventions revolutionised navigation and greatly increased safety during long-distance sea travel, was born in Wakefield

4th

1934

Yorkshireman Percy Shaw laid the first of these road safety innovations on an accident prone stretch of road near Bradford

5th

1827

This physician, who pioneered the use of antiseptics during surgery, is born

6th

1199

This King died in France from an infection caused by a crossbow wound

7th

1832

A farmer, Joseph Thompson attempted to sell his wife at Carlisle, having mutually agreed to part, eventually offering 20 shillings and this animal for her

8th

1990

This British golfer won his second successive US Masters Championship

9th

1806

This iconic engineer, well known for designing ships, bridges, railways and viaducts, is born

10th

1633

This fruit is seen in Britain for the first time, being displayed in the window of Thomas Johnson's shop

11th

1939

This 'sport' is banned in the pubs of Glasgow as it is deemed too dangerous

12th

1937

This innovation, that would revolutionise air travel, is first tested in Rugby

13th

1829

The British Parliament passed this Act, lifting religious restrictions imposed by Henry VIII

14th

1912

This famous ship struck an iceberg, sinking in the early hours of the following morning

15th

1942

Following their gallant efforts in withstanding a siege, this entire island was awarded the George Cross

16th

1746

The Duke of Cumberland defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie at this battle, ending the Jacobite rising

17th

1964

This British band released their debut album domestically; with it sharing the name of the band

18th

1968

This London landmark was sold to an American businessman, dismantled, shipped to the US and rebuilt again

19th

1824

This British poet died of Malaria aged 36, while participating in the siege of Missolonghi, in the Greek War of Independence

20th

1879

The first journey of this type of vehicle, combining accommodation and transportation, was completed between London and Cyprus

21st

1689

These two monarchs were jointly crowned as British monarchs

22nd

1969

This British yachtsman arrived back in Falmouth, after completing his 312 day, solo, uninterrupted journey around the World

23rd

1564

This iconic poet and playwright was born. He would die exactly 52 years later

24th

1731

This author, his best known work being only second in number of translations to the Bible, died aged 71

25th

1915

90,000 British, Australian, New Zealand and French troops land at this peninsular, beginning an ill-fated campaign that shares it's name

26th

1607

Captain John Smith made landfall at this point in modern-day Virginia alongside the first group of English colonists. They would go onto establish the first permanent British colony in the USA

27th

1296

The Scottish are defeated by the English at this battle during the First Scottish War of Independence

28th

1789

The crew of this ship mutinied after spending 17 months harvesting breadfruit in harsh conditions. The mutineers would eventually go onto colonise Pitcairn Island

29th

1993

This London monument was opened to the public for the first time

30th

1943

The body of a man, accompanied by false documents, is planted off the coast of Spain as part of this British wartime operation, used to disrupt Nazi defensive plans in Sicily