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A contemporary newspaper report on the last moments of ChopinFrederic Chopin, ‘The Poet of the Piano’, died in Paris on 17 October 1849 – he was 39.Here is a very moving newspaper article from November 1849 that reports on the last moments of Chopin.Glasgow Herald – Monday 19 November 1849Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000060/18491119/035/0004Evening Telegraph – Monday 01 March 1909Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000563/19090301/128/0006…

‘Pardon me sir, I meant not to do it’ – the last words of Marie Antoinette (after stepping on the foot of the executioner)On 16 October 1793, Marie Antoinette, the widow of Louis XVI, was executed at the guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris – she was 37.The Hampshire Chronicle published the details of the event on 28 October 1793.Hampshire Chronicle | 28 October 1793…

On 14 October 1913, 439 miners lost their lives when an explosion occurred at the Universal Colliery in Senghenydd.The accident at Senghenydd in 1913 remains the UK’s worst mining disaster.Included below is a newspaper report of the tragedy, and also a photograph of anxious mothers and children waiting for news of their fathers and husbands, as well as a photo showing some members of the rescue party.Also, on 24 May 1901, an explosion in the same mine killed 81 of the 82 miners who were…

“Patriotism is not enough, I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone” – Edith CavellThe English nurse, Edith Cavell, was executed by a German firing squad on 12 October 1915 – she was 49.A German military court found her guilty of treason, after she had helped Allied soldiers escape from Belgium, which had been occupied by the Germans.Included below are three newspaper stories from October 1915 that report on the execution of Nurse Cavell.Western Daily Press – Saturday 16 October 1915Image © Local World…

Isabella Lucy Bird, explorer, natural historian, writer and the first woman to be elected a Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society in London, died in Edinburgh on 7 October 1904 – she was 71.Included below are two, contemporary newspaper tributes that report on her remarkable life and achievements.…

While on a flight to Karachi on 5 October 1930, the R-101 British airship crashed at the edge of a wood near Beauvais in France, and immediately caught fire.Of the 54 passengers and crew, 46 were killed in the crash itself, while two more died later in hospital.To commemorate this sad day, here is a contemporary newspaper report of the disaster.Gloucester Citizen – Monday 06 October 1930Image © Local World Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000325/19301006/051/0001Western Morning News – Monday 06…

Elias Howe, an inventor and patentor & pioneer of the sewing machine, died in Brooklyn, New York, on 3 October 1867.To commemorate the day, here is a fascinating newspaper article that reports on Howe’s death, and also considers the history and influence of sewing machines in the 19th Century.Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser – Saturday 26 October 1867Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000206/18671026/050/0007…

‘Errand boy who became a millionaire’Sir Thomas Johnstone Lipton, the Glasgow-born self-made man who worked himself up from errand boy to become a millionaire, died in London on 2 October 1931 – he was 81.Below is a newspaper report (published the day after his death) that offers an overview of Lipton’s amazing life and achievements.This image of Sir Lipton, shows him in the uniform of the City Lieutenancy.Discover more about Sir Lipton…

Annie Besant, a leading political activist and social justice campaigner in the 19th and 20th centuries, was born in Clapham, London, on 1 October 1847.To celebrate the day of her birth, here are four newspaper stories from that offer an insight into her character, political and social beliefs.Yorkshire Gazette | 15 October 1892Dundee Evening Telegraph | 7 December 1897…

On 30 September 1860, the first tram service in the UK started operating at Birkenhead on Merseyside.The tram service was the idea of the (aptly named) George Francis Train, an American entrepreneur who was a pioneer of innovative transport systems.To mark that historic day, here is a newspaper story from October 1860 that reports on the opening of the Birkenhead tram service.…