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George Sand (Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin), the French novelist and lover of Chopin, died in In Nohant-Vic on 8 June 1876, aged 71.Here is a newspaper obituary and tribute to Madame Sand – published just six days after her death – that provides a fascinating account of her life and writing.Glasgow Herald – Wednesday 14 June 1876Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000060/18760614/009/0004The Graphic – Saturday 17 June 1876Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000057/18760617/031/0020…

‘Operation Overlord began in the early hours of Tuesday 6 June 1944.As you can imagine, the Archive contains 1,000s of stories about the Battle for Normandy.To mark this momentous day in world history, here is the front page of a regional evening newspaper published on 6 June 1944 (it reads almost like a telegram), and also some other contemporary newspaper reports about D-Day – including a map showing the main theatres of fighting.Essex Newsman – Tuesday 06 June 1944Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created…

O. Henry (aka William Sidney Porter), the brilliant short story writer, died in New York City on 5 June 1910, aged only 47.His stories were famed for their wit, dazzling wordplay and endings with a clever twist.To mark the day, we’ve posted two stories from the Archive about O. Henry. The first story reports on the passing of O. Henry, while the second story is a fascinating article on where the writer found his stories.Hull Daily Mail – Tuesday 07 June 1910Image ©…

‘All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds’Voltaire (aka Francois-Marie Arouet), writer, philosopher, historian and creator of the Panglossian character type, died in Paris on 30 May 1778, aged 83.The Archive contains 100s of interesting newspaper stories about Voltaire so, to mark the day, here’s an excellent newspaper article from July 1778 that offers a wonderful insight into Voltaire’s character.Hampshire Chronicle – Monday 06 July 1778Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000230/17780706/008/0004The Graphic – Saturday 15 June 1878Image ©…

In the St. Lawrence River on 29 May 1914, RMS Empress of Ireland sank with the loss of 1,024 lives, after colliding with the Norwegian collier, SS Storstad.Here is a newspaper story – published on 30 May 1914 – which reports on the disaster.Given that the loss of life in the Empress of Ireland disaster was almost on the same scale as the sinking of the Titanic, it’s amazing how few references are made in popular culture about the tragedy.We imagine that’s because the…

The Paris Commune fell on 28 May 1871 with, according to historical legend, the last barricade being removed in Rue Ramponeau in Belleville on the night of the 28th.The Archive contains 100s of fascinating stories about the Paris Commune, but we thought we’d post this story that focuses on Victor Hugo’s role in this struggle.After all, the Paris Commune was a muse for Hugo’s writing, as highlighted in his poem, ‘Sur une barricade’ (how interesting that a barricade is feminine…).…

In Milan Cathedral on 26 May 1805, Emperor Napoleon was crowned King of Italy by the Cardinal Archbishop of Milan, who presented him with the Iron Crown of Lombardy.Once the crown was safely on his head, Napoleon said: ‘God gives it to me, beware whoever touches it’.Hmm.To mark the day, here’s a fascinating newspaper article from June 1805 that reports on this historic occasion.Hull Packet – Tuesday 25 June 1805Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000061/18050625/004/0001…

On a rural road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, on 23 May 1934, Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Chestnut Barrow were shot dead in a police ambush.The couple were criminal celebrities during the ‘public enemy era’ in the USA, from between 1931 and 1934.It’s believed that they killed nine police officers and several civilians during the course of their careers as armed robbers.Included below are two, contemporary newspaper stories that report on the violent end of Bonnie and Clyde.Western Morning News –…

On 21 May 1932, Amelia Earhart landed in a field at Culmore, near Derry in Northern Ireland, after flying solo across the Atlantic – she was the first woman to achieve this amazing feat.Here are some contemporary newspaper stories about her historic flight – we especially like that she set off on her epic journey with only a quart of chicken soup to keep her nourished!Read another blog post about Amelia Earhart in which she quips, ‘Still flying although married’.Hull Daily…

‘This child has a great future before her, and she will put many great musicians in the shade’ – PaganiniThe German pianist and composer, Clara Schumann, suffered a stroke and died in Frankfurt on 20 May 1896, aged 76.We’ve been reading stories about Madame Schumann in the Archive and we especially liked this first report, as it contains a terrific comment from Paganini about her brilliant piano playing.The second report contains a description of her funeral in Bonn, and below that…