British History by Month: May

1st

1759

This entrepreneur founded his pottery company, mass producing cameos depicting abolitionist imagery

2nd

1982

This Argentinian light cruiser was sunk by British submarine HMS Conqueror

3rd

1926

Britain ground to a halt on this day because of this

4th

1979

This woman became Britain's first female Prime Minister on this day

5th

1980

The SAS stormed this building in London after it had been taken over by terrorists

6th

878

Alfred the Great was victorious at this battle, defeating the Great Heathen Army, and maintaining Anglo-Saxon rule in parts of England

7th

1956

RH Turton, the Health Minister, suggested that these products caused no ill effects on health

8th

1429

This French maiden led the French to victory against the English at Orleans

9th

1960

The sexual revolution began in Britain, when this went on the market

10th

1941

This leading Nazi parachuted into Scotland in an attempt to negotiate peace with Britain

11th

1985

This football stadium burnt down during a game, leading to the deaths of 56 people

12th

1820

This iconic nurse, famous for treating the wounded of the Crimean War, was born

13th

1995

This British mother became the first woman to climb Everest without oxygen or the aid of sherpas

14th

1796

This physician became the first in Britain to carry out a vaccination

15th

1718

This modern military appliance was first patented by James Puckle, who intended to use it to help him catch fish as he was a keen fisherman

16th

1951

The first flights from Heathrow to this major city began

17th

1861

A group of holidaymakers set off on the first foreign 'package trip', organised by this man, spending 6 days in Paris,

18th

1812

John Bellingham was sentenced to death for the assassination of this British Prime Minister

19th

1585

English shipping is seized in Spanish ports, serving as the beginning of this conflict

20th

1913

The first iteration of this garden exhibition is held in this location, and is still held there to this day

21st

1966

Muhammad Ali ends the title hopes of this British fighter; their fight was stopped in the 6th round due to a bad cut

22nd

1623

The chief, and 200 men, of the Potomac tribe, died from poisoned wine after signing a treaty with the English, with it supposedly proposing this

23rd

1931

The World's first 'open plan' zoo opened here

24th

1941

This British battlecruiser sank off the coast of Greenland, with the loss of all but three of her 1418 crew

25th

1659

This Lord Protector resigned, leading to the restoration of the British monarchy

26th

604

This saint, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, died

27th

1919

Onshore oil was first struck in this English county

28th

1660

This future British King was born, but spent the majority of his reign abroad having failed to master English

29th

1871

This day became the first official bank holiday in Britain

30th

1820

William Bradley died aged 33, holding the record of Britain's tallest man, reaching this height

31st

1985

The Football Association and government banned English clubs from playing in Europe following this tradegy in Belgium