Monday Miscellanea

This Week In London's History

Monday - 28th December 1065: Westminster Abbey is consecrated by Edward the Confessor, a week before his death.

Tuesday - 29th December 1940: During the course of a massive air raid, London sustains so much damage that the night is later dubbed 'The Second Great Fire of London'. Wednesday - 30th December 1919: Lincoln's Inn admits its first female bar student. Thursday - 31st December 1923: The BBC broadcasts the chimes of Big Ben for the first time. Friday - 1st January 1772: The world's first travellers' cheques, valid in 90 European cities, are issued by the London Credit Exchange Company.

Random London Fact

What do Hyde Park Corner and Wimbledon Village have in common? Well, probably quite a few things. But specifically, they are both home to a couple of equestrian crossings (a.k.a 'Pegasus Crossings') — similar to the familiar Pelican/Puffin/Toucan crossings, but featuring additional activation buttons located two metres above the ground, so that they can be used by horse-riders. Their lights also use pictograms of a horse and rider, instead of the usual standing/walking man.

Picture by nic0, taken from the Londonist Flickr pool.