This Week In London’s History
- Monday – 25 November 1952: Agatha Christie’s stage play, 'The Mousetrap', begins its run at the New Ambassadors Theatre in the West End. It would run there until 1974, when it would transfer, without break, to St Martin’s Theatre (next door), where it still runs today - representing the longest ‘initial run’ of any play in the world.
- Tuesday – 26 November 1983: An armed robbery at the Brinks Mat warehouse near Heathrow Airport becomes one of the largest heists in British history, as £26 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds and cash is pinched.
- Wednesday – 27 November 1703: The 'Great Storm of 1703' reaches its destructive peak in London. The lengthy storm would cause extensive damage to the capital, blowing off part of the roof of Westminster Abbey, demolishing hundreds of chimneys, and causing Queen Anne to shelter in a cellar at St. James's Palace.
- Thursday – 28 November 1660: In a committee meeting at Gresham College, 12 men propose the formation of a "College for the Promoting of Physico-Mathematical Experimental Learning". After a couple of years, the group would receive a royal charter and become known as The Royal Society.
- Friday – 29 November 1773: An attorney's clerk named Foster Powell sets off on a journey on foot from London to York and back. He would complete his round-trip in a record-breaking six days.
Random London Quote Of The Week
Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.
Samuel Johnson, of course
Photo by McTumshie via the Londonist Flickr Pool.
