On this day...

[Futtocks]

On this day in 1999, Oliver Reed died while filming the Russell Crowe epic Gladiator. Reed had allegedly consumed 8 pints of beer, 12 shots of rum, half a bottle of whisky, and shots of cognac after challenging sailors from HMS Cumberland to a drinking contest in a pub.

He was arm-wrestling sailors when he collapsed.

[DavidM]

14 hours ago, Futtocks said:

On this day in 1999, Oliver Reed died while filming the Russell Crowe epic Gladiator. Reed had allegedly consumed 8 pints of beer, 12 shots of rum, half a bottle of whisky, and shots of cognac after challenging sailors from HMS Cumberland to a drinking contest in a pub.

He was arm-wrestling sailors when he collapsed.

It’s how he would have wanted to go 

[DavidM]

Today in history …

The tomb of King Herod is discovered 2007

Vladimir Putin is inaugurated Russian President 2000

The Scream is recovered after being stolen 1994

Khruschev announces they’ve got Gary Powers 1960

Jodl signs unconditional surrender 1945 ( repeated the next day for the Soviets )

Norway Debate begins 1940

Condor Legion arrives in Spain 1937

U-20 sinks The Lusitania 1915

Greek independence 1832

World premiere of Beethoven’s 9th 1824

Palace of Versailles opened by Louis XIV 1664

[The Hallucinating Goose]

On this day in 1765, HMS Victory is launched at Chatham Dockyards, however she is not commissioned until 1778.

[DavidM]

34 minutes ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

On this day in 1765, HMS Victory is launched at Chatham Dockyards, however she is not commissioned until 1778.

Still commissioned as the fleets flagship 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

1 hour ago, DavidM said:

Still commissioned as the fleets flagship 

Yep, we could send her into battle if we wanted to. 

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

Alan Bennett is 90 today.  Since the death of Jonathan Miller in 2019, he has been the sole remaining member of the great Beyond the Fringe quartet, the others being Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

On this day in 1386, England and Portugal confirm their alliance with the signing of the Treaty of Windsor. This is the longest continuous, unbroken political alliance that still continues to this day. 638 years to the day, we have been allied with Portugal. 

Edited May 9 by The Hallucinating Goose

[DavidM]

4 hours ago, The Hallucinating Goose said:

On this day in 1386, England and Portugal confirm their alliance with the signing of the Treaty of Windsor. This is the longest continuous, unbroken political alliance that still continues to this day. 638 years to the day, we have been allied with Portugal. 

Apart from when we play them in tournaments and they use underhand shenanigans to win 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

On this day in 1950, the first formula one grand prix took place at Silverstone, with Giuseppe Farina the winner. He would go on to be the inaugural World Champion as well. 

[DavidM]

On 09/05/2024 at 11:38, The Hallucinating Goose said:

On this day in 1386, England and Portugal confirm their alliance with the signing of the Treaty of Windsor. This is the longest continuous, unbroken political alliance that still continues to this day. 638 years to the day, we have been allied with Portugal. 

Can i just say Mike Loades does a good documentary on this on history hit

[DavidM]

Today in 1940 Churchill makes his ‘ blood toil tears and sweat ‘ speech as The Wehrmacht pours into France … 3 years later Axis forces surrender in North Africa . 

In 1917 the first apparition of Our Lady in Fatima reported 

1912 The Royal Flying Corps comes into being 

Jamestown colony settled 1607

[The Hallucinating Goose]

On this day in 2004, Arsenal became only the second team, after Preston, to go an entire league season unbeaten and claim the title of "The Invincibles". 

[Futtocks]

On this day, 23 years ago, John Prescott punched a man with a regrettable mullet in Rhyl for throwing an egg.

[Ullman]

On 16/05/2024 at 09:27, Futtocks said:

On this day, 23 years ago, John Prescott punched a man with a regrettable mullet in Rhyl for throwing an egg.

Picked the wrong bloke. Prezza was a handy boxer in his merchant seaman days.

[DavidM]

Dracula was published in 1897 , the battle of Monte Cassino ended in 1944 and Mount St Helens erupted in 1980 , John Bellingham is sentenced to death for killing Spencer Percival 1812 , Napoleon is proclaimed emperor 1804 … a year after Britain declares war on France 

[DavidM]

Anne Boleyn had her head chopped off today in 1536 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

On this day on 1649, an Act of Parliament is passed making England a commonwealth and a Republic for the following 11 years under the Long Parliament.

[The Hallucinating Goose]

A day for aviation firsts;

On this day in 1927, Charles Lindbergh lands in Paris becoming the first person to fly nonstop, solo across the Atlantic.

5 years later, on this day in 1932, Amelia Earhart lands in a field near Derry to become the first woman to fly nonstop, solo across the Atlantic.

[Futtocks]

 

[DavidM]

‘ Sink the Bismarck ! ‘ …. Today in 1941

[DavidM]

On this day …

The Ottaman Army takes Constantinople ending the Byzantine Empire 1453

The Restoration as Charles II becomes King 1660 ( on his birthday ) 

The Austro - Hungarian Empire established 1867

The Empress of Ireland sinks in the St Lawrence killing over a thousand 1914

First flight of the Messerschmitt 109 1935

Bing Crosby records White Christmas 1942

Hilary and Tenzing conquer Everest 1953

Man U win the European Cup 1968

British Forces win the battle of Goose Green 1982

Pope John Paul visits Canterbury Cathedral 1982

Heysel Tragedy 1985

Reagan visits the USSR 1988

Yeltsin elected President of Russia 1990

Discovery docks with the ISS 1999

[Futtocks]

The Anguillan "revolution". It started OTD in 1967 with unhappiness at the thought of being ruled from neighbouring St Kitts and culminated with Harold Wilson sending the British navy to force Anguilla to become independent from, er, Britain... and failing.

Edited 5 hours ago by Futtocks

[The Hallucinating Goose]

2 hours ago, DavidM said:

On this day …

The Ottaman Army takes Constantinople ending the Byzantine Empire 1453

What we should add to this as well is that this is the acknowledged date and event that ended the Roman Empire after 2,000 or so years because the Byzantine Empire was the continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire which was created when the Roman Empire was split with the other part becoming the Holy Roman Empire, which itself would eventually become Germany.