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One of the many fascinating features of the Archive is the articles it contains on the family history of famous people.Indeed, at times, browsing through the Archive can be similar to watching episodes of the BBC programme, ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’As today is the 4th of July, we thought we’d mark Independence Day by posting this excellent, wee article about the English ancestry of George Washington.And just for good measure, we’ve also included a fascinating…

‘The locomotive was drawing a streamlined train to which was attached to a dynamometer car, in which were charts and instruments which confirmed the records.’On 3 July 1938, ‘The Mallard’ locomotive (engine number 6648) achieved a new UK record for steam trains, travelling at 125.88 MPH on the UK’s East Coast Main Line.To celebrate the 75th anniversary of that historic day, here is a newspaper story from 1938 reporting on the setting of this famous world record, which remains unbeaten to this day.…

The Somme Offensive commenced on 1 July 1916, as Allied forces attacked German positions by the River Somme on the Western Front in France.On the opening day of the battle, the British suffered 60,000 casualties – making it the worst day in the history of the British army.Here is an upbeat newspaper report of the battle, which was published on the first day of the battle – also included is a map of the area where the battle took place.Image © Northcliffe Media…

On 29 June 1914, Khioniya Guseva attempted to assassinate Grigori Rasputin in the monk’s home village of Pokrovskoe Selo in western Siberia.You’ll find a number of newspaper reports about the attack in The British Newspaper Archive.Read reports about RasputinGuseva’s attempt to murder Rasputin Although the facts of the attack are unclear, it’s said that Guseva stabbed Rasputin either as he left church or while he was reading a telegram outside the post office.Althought Guseva’s attempt to murder Rasputin…

In Sarajevo on 28 June 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand and Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were shot dead by the 19-year-old student, Gavrilo Princip.It was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, that led to the outbreak of World War One.To mark this tragic day in world history, here are photos of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, and also a newspaper report about the assassinations.Evening Telegraph – Monday 29 June 1914Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created…

On 26 June 1830, King George IV (perhaps better known as the Prince Regent) passed away at Windsor Castle, aged 67.Known as ‘the first gentleman of England’, we thought we’d mark the day by posting two, contemporary newspaper stories that report on the death of George IV.Freeman’s Journal – Monday 28 June 1830Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000056/18300628/006/0003London Standard – Monday 28 June 1830Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000183/18300628/006/0002Aberdeen Journal – Monday 05 January 1948Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image…

On 24 June 1902, and two days before his coronation, King Edward VII (aka ‘Bertie) was diagnosed with appendicitis and underwent an emergency operation.Thankfully, the operation was a complete success and the king was smoking cigars in his bed the following day – although the coronation had to be postponed and did not take place until 9 August 1902.To give you a taste of how the dramatic news of the King’s illness was received at the time, here is a news report from…

On 15 June 1785, Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier and Pierre Romain died when their hot air balloon (it was a mixture of hydrogen and hot air) exploded while they were attempting to cross the English Channel.Read newspaper reports about the accidentTo mark their bravery in attempting such a feat, we’ve posted a contemporary newspaper report about the tragedy.Derby Mercury – Thursday 16 June 1785Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.View the whole newspaper pageRead other newspaper reports about…

The Armagh railway disaster took place on 12 June 1889 with the loss of 80 lives.The accident happened after the engine stalled on a steep hill, and the crew decided to split the train in two in order to negotiate the steep incline.Tragically, the second half of the train was not properly braked, and it ran back down the hill and collided with an oncoming train.At the time, this was the worst rail disaster that had occurred in the UK…

On 11 June 1936, the International Surrealist Exhibition opened at the New Burlington Galleries in London.Althought it’s a cliche, the International Surrealist Exhibition was very much a surreal event.To give you a feel for how the concept of surrealism was received in England in the 1930s, here are two newspaper reports about the exhibition.Gloucestershire Echo – Friday 12 June 1936Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000320/19360612/043/0004Nottingham Evening Post – Thursday 11 June 1936Image © Northcliffe Media Limited.…