This Week in History

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
16th May 1943 - Operation Chastise: No. 617 Squadron RAF begins the famous Dambusters Raid
13th May 1787 - The First Fleet sets sail for Botany Bay, Australia, with 11 ships and over 700 convicts
17th May 1861 - The first color photograph, of a tartan ribbon is shown by Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell to the Royal Institution in London

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
4th May 1990 - Latvia declares its independence
10th May 1857 - Indian rebellion against British rule by the East India Company begins
10th May 1824 - The National Gallery first opens at 100 Pall Mall

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
2nd May 1982 - The Argentine navy cruiser General Belgrano is controversially sunk by a British nuclear submarine during the Falklands War.
1st May 1707 - The Act of Union unites England and Scotland to form Great Britain.
3rd May 1978 - Marketing manager Gary Thuerk sends the first spam email.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
23rd April 1984 - The virus which causes HIV/AIDS is discovered.
21st April 1509 - Henry VIII accedes to the English throne.
25th April 1859 - The construction of the Suez canal begins.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
13th April 1970 - An explosion on board Apollo 13 threatens the lives of three astronauts.
16th April 1616 - William Harvey begins publicising the pioneering medical theory that blood circulates around the body.
18th April 1930 - Listeners who tuned in to the BBC for the 845pm bulletin were told 'there is no news'.