This Week in History

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
25th May 1895: Oscar Wilde is sentenced to two years hard labour for the crime of gross indecency.
27th May 1703: St Petersburg is founded on the banks of the Neva River
25th May 1659: Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector, leading to the restoration of the monarchy. Charles II lands at Dover exactly one year later.

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life.
23 May 1618 - Second Defenestration of Prague leads to the Thirty Years War
24th May 1844 - first telegraph message sent
21st May 1780 - Elizabeth Fry is born

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.