British History by Month: July

1st

1916

This huge First World War battle began, with 20,000 British soldiers killed on the first day, and 57,000 wounded

2nd

1973

This comedian, who has sold over 10 million DVDs, more than any other comedian, was born in Bolton

3rd

1938

This steam locomotive achieved the World speed record for steam traction, travelling at 126mph between Grantham and Peterborough

4th

1879

This African town is captured by the British, thus ending a colonial conflict

5th

1997

The World's most famous sheep; Dolly, was born on this day. But why was she famous

6th

1553

England's first Protestant King died on this day aged only 15, having taken the throne at only 9 years old

7th

1575

This raid took place, constituting the last major battle between Scotland and England

8th

1836

This politician who, despite never becoming Prime Minister, is regarded as one of the most important British political figures of the 19th and 20th centuries; holding the position of Secretary of State and fathering another important British politician, was born

9th

1938

In anticipation of war, 35 million of these items of clothing were distributed to British civilians

10th

1958

The first of this device in Britain, that are used by drivers everyday all over the world, was installed in Mayfair

11th

1274

This King, victorious over the English at the battle of Bannockburn, was born in Ayrshire

12th

927

This Saxon King became the first to secure effective rule over the entirety of England, with his suzerainty being ratified in Cumbria

13th

1811

This chemist, who became best known for his method of distilling paraffin from coal, and opening the World's first truly commercial oil works, was born in Glasgow

14th

1865

Briton, Edward Whymper, led the first team of climbers to climb this mountain, with three of the six man team dying during the descent

15th

1815

Napoleon Bonaparte surrenders to the British aboard this ship, ending 22 years of continuous war between Britain and France

16th

1955

This motorsports racing driver became the first Englishman to win the British Grand Prix, and is now often referred to as "the greatest driver to never win the World Championship"

17th

1453

The Earl of Shrewsbury was killed during this battle. England's defeat, due to the extensive use of field artillery, brought the Hundred Years War to a close

18th

1817

This novelist, best known for her work 'Pride and Predjudice', died aged 41

19th

1972

Nine SAS soldiers hold off an attack from 300 Communist guerrillas in Oman during this battle

20th

1304

Stirling castle fell into English hands after Edward I used this siege weapon, which filled 30 wagons once dissembled, against it, reportedly refusing any offers of surrender until it had been tested

21st

1545

The French invaded this English county for the last time during the Italian War

22nd

1946

Over a year since the war in Europe ended, this item began to rationed in Britain

23rd

2014

The 20th edition of this international sports competition was held in Glasgow

24th

1851

This controversial tax was abolished in Britain

25th

306

This Roman Emperor was crowned in York, following the death of his father in the city

26th

1845

This ship sailed on it's maiden voyage from Liverpool and is now a museum ship in Bristol

27th

1694

This modern-day English institution is founded by an Act of Parliament

28th

1858

Fingerprints are first used as a method of identification by this British member of the Indian Civil Service, who shares his name with a famous astronomer

29th

1981

These two people are married in a televised ceremony that attracted 700 million viewers around the world

30th

1973

British victims of the consequences of this drug are awarded £20 million in compensation from The Distillers Company

31st

1968

The first episode of this British comedy programme aired, regularly attracting 18 million viewers throughout the 1970s and still being repeated to this day