Monday Miscellanea

Dave Haste
By Dave Haste Last edited 130 months ago
Monday Miscellanea

This Week In London’s History

  • Monday20 May 1609: London publisher Thomas Thorpe publishes Shakespeare’s Sonnets for the first time, possibly without The Bard’s permission.
  • Tuesday21 May 1853: The 'Aquatic Vivarium', the world’s first public aquarium, is opened in Regent’s Park.
  • Wednesday22 May 1897: The Blackwall Tunnel is officially opened by the Prince of Wales, becoming the longest underwater tunnel in the world (at the time). The original tunnel now forms the western (northbound) carriageway – the adjacent tunnel that houses the eastern (southbound) carriageway was opened in 1967.
  • Thursday23 May 1701: Captain Kidd is hanged in Wapping, following his conviction for piracy and murder.
  • Friday24 May 1862: The current Westminster Bridge is opened, replacing an earlier stone bridge that was subsiding badly.

Random London Quote Of The Week

John Gilpin was a citizen
Of credit and renown,
A train-band captain eke was he,
Of famous London town.

William Cowper, 'The Diverting History of John Gilpin'

Photo by Natalie Clarke via the Londonist Flickr Pool.

Last Updated 19 May 2013