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At the Epsom Derby on 4 June 1913, Emily Wilding Davison, an activist in the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), ran out on to the racecourse in an apparent attempt to attach the suffragette colours to the King’s horse, ‘Amner’.Tragically, the terrible injuries that she sustained in the collision with the horse and jockey, led to her death four days later – she never recovered consciousness.To celebrate her tremendous courage and her committed activism for the WSPU, here is an…

‘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…

On 19 May 1935, T.E. Lawrence (‘Lawrence of Arabia’) died at Bovington Military Camp in Dorset, five days after fracturing his skull in a motorcycle accident – he was 46 years old.The Archive contains 100s of stories about Thomas Edward Lawrence, including many reports of his amazing exploits during World War One.Here is a fascinating newspaper report about the life and death of Lawrence, published just one day after he died.Nottingham Evening Post – Monday 20 May 1935Image © Northcliffe Media Limited. Image created…

On 16–17 May 1943, an attack on the Mohne and Edersee Dams was carried out by 617 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson.The attack famously used the ‘bouncing bombs’ that had been invented by Barnes Wallis.Included below is a newspaper report of the attack and also some photographs, which were published just two days afer the attack on the dams.…