The Match Girls’ Strike of 1888 has been commemorated with a blue plaque at the site of the former Bryant and May match factory in east London. In early July 1888 around 1,400 of the Bryant and May match factory’s predominately female workforce walked out in protest at the dismissal of a number of their co-workers. We actually have a great article about this whole story … [Read more...] about Match Girls’ Strike of 1888 commemorated with blue plaque in east London
History
Windrush generation makes our culture richer, says William as monument unveiled at Waterloo Station
Black men and women are still facing racism and discrimination in modern-day Britain in a nation that would be poorer without the efforts of the Windrush generation, the Duke of Cambridge has said. William was speaking as he and the Duchess of Cambridge attended the unveiling of a national monument at London’s Waterloo Station to celebrate the dreams and courage of the … [Read more...] about Windrush generation makes our culture richer, says William as monument unveiled at Waterloo Station
Laura’s London: Exploring The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
The Old Operating Theatre Museum is a museum of surgical history housed in a church attic. Yes, there is so much about that sentence that needs explaining! The Museum has two parts: the Herb Garret and the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe. Anniversaries This London Bridge attraction has been open for 60 years, but 2022 is also 200 years since the first … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Exploring The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
Ten More Interesting Facts about the Greater London Authority
Unlike any other local government in the United Kingdom, the Greater London Authority shares more in common with American city governments. It has a legislature and a mayor elected to four-year terms, it is a central authority for practically all of London (except for the City of London), and its policies impact the lives of 9 million people. We covered ten interesting facts … [Read more...] about Ten More Interesting Facts about the Greater London Authority
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Circle Line
Prior to its expansion with a line to Hammersmith, the Circle Line lived up to its name by forming a loop that encircles much of inner London. Running through Chelsea and Kensington, the City of London, Hackney, Islington, the City of Westminster, and now to Hammersmith and Fulham, the Circle Line runs through practically every major Underground and railway station in London. … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Circle Line
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Central Line
For over 121 years, the Central Line has been a central part of the London Underground. Its importance is can be exemplified by the fact that it’s the longest Tube line in the city at forty-six miles that serve forty-nine stations, from West Ruislip to Essex. The Central Line has been a vital part of London’s history and culture since it opened in 1900, and we’re going to … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Central Line
Laura’s London: Rare Tour of The Speaker’s House State Apartments at the Palace of Westminster
For two weeks during the House of Commons Easter recess, there was the rare opportunity to see inside the Speaker's House. This was the first time tours of these State Apartments have been offered to the public so I booked quickly and got a ticket before all tours sold out. For over 160 years the State Apartments in Speaker’s House has hosted visits and dinners for Royalty … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: Rare Tour of The Speaker’s House State Apartments at the Palace of Westminster
A Brief History of the Bakerloo Line
Like a lightning bolt running through the city, the Bakerloo line gets passengers where they’re going nearly as fast and has been doing so for over 100 years. Its name is a portmanteau of two parts of London through which it ran when it first opened in 1906. You might be interested to learn, however, that its history goes back well before this and into the 19th Century when … [Read more...] about A Brief History of the Bakerloo Line
A Brief History of the Hammersmith & City Railway
Every day people take a London Underground train to get from point A to point B without considering the history of the lines they take. Underground Tube lines actually have some pretty fascinating histories, including the Hammersmith & City Line. This line actually started as an extension of the Metropolitan Line, which had opened in 1863 as the first underground railway … [Read more...] about A Brief History of the Hammersmith & City Railway
Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Metropolitan Line
Welcome to a new series on the histories of each of the London Underground lines. Of course, if we’re going to start anywhere, why not start with the line that began it all? The Metropolitan Line has been around since opening in 1863 and was the first underground transport railway anywhere in the world. This gives the Met the richest history of any public transport in London … [Read more...] about Tube Histories: A Brief History of the Metropolitan Line
Ten Interesting Facts about the City of London Corporation
When people think of London government, what they’re really thinking of is the Greater London Authority. The City of London is its own unique municipal government apart from the GLA and has been since the 12th Century when there wasn’t much outside of the old city walls. The City of London Corporation is the primary government entity, and its long history means that it is … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the City of London Corporation
Exhibition Report: The World of Stonehenge Exhibition at British Museum
When a major London exhibition gets repeated five-star reviews and is described as 'magnificent,' 'astonishing' and 'unmissable,' you know it's one you have to see. The World of Stonehenge opened at the British Museum on 17 February 2022. I've seen some reviewers describe it as one of those exhibitions you will remember for the rest of your life. With such high praise, I had to … [Read more...] about Exhibition Report: The World of Stonehenge Exhibition at British Museum
The Museum of London prepares to close for 3 years for big move (and changes its name)
One of the big things happening in London heritage is that the Museum of London will be moving to a new location in the Old Smithfield Market in 2025, in anticipation of that the museum will now be known as the 'London Museum' and will close for 3 years at the end of this year to facilitate the move. They've announced a series of events as they begin the countdown to the … [Read more...] about The Museum of London prepares to close for 3 years for big move (and changes its name)
Flurry of interest in American Thames wartime wreck packed with explosives
A Second World War wreck which is packed with thousands of tons of bombs has seen a surprising flurry of tourist interest amid reports that parts of it could be removed. For decades the three masts of the SS Richard Montgomery have protruded above the water in the Thames Estuary – a constant reminder of the vessel and its potentially explosive payload. Some of the … [Read more...] about Flurry of interest in American Thames wartime wreck packed with explosives
William Morris and his life and London Connections
William Morris (1834–96) was a man of many talents. His life, and life's work, made a huge impact on the worlds of literature, design, and politics. When you hear his name, you may first think of the wallpaper and textile designs, but he achieved so much more. William Morris was a designer, architect, craftsman, artist, novelist, printer, socialist, environmentalist, idealist, … [Read more...] about William Morris and his life and London Connections
London History: Ten Important London Events of the 2000s
A new London for a new millennium. With the advent of the third millennium and the newly-created Greater London Authority, London started to truly transform into the City we recognize today. The decade of the 2000s saw everything from new buildings to new politicians that helped shape its future. We have outlined an important event in every year from 2001 to 2010 below, and … [Read more...] about London History: Ten Important London Events of the 2000s
London History: Ten Important London Events of the 1990s
For many of us, the London of the 1990s was the one we grew up with. It was a place that was seeing a transition from past violence to future possibility. It seems as if the period between 1991 and 2000 was filled with bombings and new buildings, with the former giving way to the latter in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement. With New Labour came a facelift for Britain's … [Read more...] about London History: Ten Important London Events of the 1990s
British Museum in London hails ‘homecoming’ of world’s oldest map of the stars
The British Museum has welcomed the “homecoming” of the Nebra Sky Disc, which features Cornish gold to their Stonehenge exhibition. The piece is 3,600 years old and is said to be the world’s oldest surviving map of the stars. The 30cm bronze disc with a blue-green patina is decorated with inlaid gold symbols thought to represent the sun, moon, stars, the solstices, and … [Read more...] about British Museum in London hails ‘homecoming’ of world’s oldest map of the stars
The Tower of London and Its Importance to the City
For centuries, the Tower of London has held an important role in London from its earliest days as a military fortification to its present use as a museum and repository for important Royal artefacts. The Tower’s role has been ever-changing to suit the needs of the Sovereign and the British government, which has resulted in one of the richest histories of any building in the … [Read more...] about The Tower of London and Its Importance to the City
What is Cockney Rhyming Slang?
In any language, a kind of sub-language can develop. These are words or phrases in the parent language that develop amongst a group of people who share a common location or culture. It might form a kind of short-hand or act as a code to keep the information a secret from outsiders. One such group in London are Cockneys. The term had been around for centuries, but came to … [Read more...] about What is Cockney Rhyming Slang?
Ten Most Important London Events of the 1980s
London of the 1980s may seem like a gritty and grey place when portrayed in media, full of “Greed is good”-businessmen, loud music, and protests against Margaret Thatcher’s government. However, amidst the big shoulder pads and even bigger hair of the decade, the period between 1981 and 1990 produced some events that would help change London for the better. To highlight these … [Read more...] about Ten Most Important London Events of the 1980s
Ten Interesting Facts about the Lord Mayor’s Show
The Lord Mayor’s Show is one of the top annual events that takes place in the City of London each year. Separate from the Greater London Authority and its Mayor, Sadiq Khan, the City of London selects its Lord Mayor every year from the Aldermen with a vote conducted by the City of London’s 110 livery companies. The Lord Mayor is then sworn in as part of the Lord Mayor’s Show, … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts about the Lord Mayor’s Show
From GLC to GLA – The Dissolution of the Greater London Council and Creation of the Greater London Authority
Since 1965, the Greater London Council had been the governing body for most of London outside of the City of London. Now London’s principal municipal government corporation is the Greater London Authority; there are a lot of people today that may forget that London spent nearly 14 years without a central authority. So what happened to the Greater London Council, and what … [Read more...] about From GLC to GLA – The Dissolution of the Greater London Council and Creation of the Greater London Authority
London History: Ten Important London Events of the 1970s
From the Swinging 60s to the “Me Decade” of the 1970s, London moved into a decade that was a mixed bag of new places to visit, changes in the city’s government, and housing estates rising into the sky. The period from 1971 to 1980 was also marked by a wave of new violence from the Irish Republican Army. However, as London had proved so many times before, nothing can keep the … [Read more...] about London History: Ten Important London Events of the 1970s
The London Fiver – Five Places to Visit in London for Winston Churchill History
Certainly one of the greatest Prime Ministers in the history of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill cemented his place in the annals of Britain as the country's leader during World War II. While not without a fair amount of controversy, Churchill was arguably the right man for the job during one of Britain's toughest periods, and his defiant attitude reflected that of the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Places to Visit in London for Winston Churchill History
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