Historical Fun

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY 31st JANUARY On This Day, 30th January 1606, the infamous Guy Fawkes was executed for his part in the Gunpowder Plot.   During his torture, I mean interrogation, there's a difference apparently, Guy Fawkes was asked the question, "What are you doing in possession of so much gunpowder."   He was found in the tunnels beneath the Houses of Parliament with 36 barrels. Trying to explain your way out of that one and claim innocence would not be easy.   Guy Fawkes asked for the mildly hot poker to be removed from his bottom, a popular interrogation technique still used by the United States, and not torture, as there is a difference. He then said, "to blow you Scotch beggars back to your native mountains."   "To blow you Scotch beggars back to your native mountains." - a popular English drinking game in the early 1600s. King James, who would have been blown to teeny-tiny bits along with the Palace of Westminster...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 30th JANUARY   On This Day, the 30th of January 1606, Sir Everard Digby had an unfortunate encounter with an executioner. He was Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered.   AND HIS FUN SACK WAS CHOPPED OFF!   Sir Everard Digby, as well as having an awesome name, is most known for being one of the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot -- the failed attempt on the 5th of November 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament.   Digby, along with his co-conspirators, were captured soon after their failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament after a brief attempt at fleeing. These guys weren't good at anything, were they?   In the early hours of the morning on the 30th of January, Sir Everard Digby and four of his fellow conspirators (Robert Wintour, John Grant, and Thomas Bates) were taken from their cells in the Tower of London (except Thomas Bates, he had been imprisoned in the Gatehouse Prison)...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 29th JANUARY   On This Day, the 29th of January 1820, King George III of Great Britain and Ireland, died.   George-The-Turd-Thrower enjoyed taking a dump on the throne and chucking it out the window at the commoners. He did this on instructions from the gorilla in the purple tutu. Yes, in case you had no doubt, George-Third-Of-His-Name was nutso-bonkers-crazy.   Although he did have the longest reign of any of his monarch'd predecessors.   King George III was the third British Monarch of the House of Hanover and was also King of Hanover at the same time. And, unlike the previous two Georges, he was actually born in England. He also spoke English, and Klingon when conversing with the tutu-clad gorilla, and never actually visited Hanover.   George III is best known for having many episodes of insanity. They took over his life in 1810, so much so, his son, the Prince of Wales took over running the co...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 28th JANUARY   On This Day In History in 1393, Charles VI of France is almost killed , accidentally on purpose, by several masked dancers, who happened to be on fire.   The King of France was attending a masquerade ball, The Bal des Ardents, which translates as "The Ball of the Burning Men", which we hope was name after the event. If it was actually called that before it happened, then suspicions would have been aroused.   Charles VI was known for his awesome dance moves. That king could move. Think John Travolta on ice having an epileptic fit whilst holding seven octopi (or octopuses, or octopuddies) who are also having epileptic fits. Strobe lighting was very popular six hundred years ago. It was an issue.   The King of France, never wanting to miss an opportunity, decided to get up and dance. When shouts were heard from the spectators, "Yo, Kingy, You're On Fire!", Charles VI just assumed they were payi...

Humorous History Presents: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 27th January   On This Day in 1606, Guy Fawkes, along with a few of his other Gunpowder Plot conspirators , was put on trial for attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament and killing King James I.   Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.   In front of a roaring fire, the wood crackling away and spitting embers onto the stone floors, Thirteen conspirators met in secret during the dark nights of 1604. They planned a meticulous strategy to transport 36 barrels of explosive gunpowder into the tunnels beneath the Houses of Parliament. Guy Fawkes would be entrusted to guard and set the fuses, and a route for his escape was mapped out.   The king would die. Parliament would be destroyed. The old order of the Catholic Church would be restored with the King's nine-year-old daughter raised t...

Humorous History Presents: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 26th JANUARY On This Day in 1992, Boris Yeltsin, the Russian President , and, despite being totally bonkers-mad-nutso, or maybe because he was, was actually a lot of fun at parties, announced Russia would cease targeting the United States of America with its nuclear weapons.   As a child, Yeltsin lost a thumb and index finger on his left hand whilst playing with a hand grenade. Pretty sure there's a lesson to be learned there, kids. Probably shouldn't mess around with hand grenades.   It was only later in life he lost his marbles.   Boris Yeltsin is not only famed for being a leading figure in the downfall of the USSR, but also for being slightly intoxicated most of the time. Okay, who are we kidding? He enjoyed his drink. In fact, he couldn't get enough of it. Many a time, on international visits, he was as drunk as a skunk.   There was an incident in...

Humorous History Presents: On This Day In History - 25th January   On This Day in 1759, Robert Burns, the infamous Scottish poet and songwriter, was born .   Today, millions of Scots around the world, celebrate Burns night with recitals of the poet's works, songs, and the eating of one of the most disgusting foods on the planet. Yes, oranges. Nope, that's not right, although they are disgusting. I mean Haggis.   Robert Burns is also known as the Bard of Ayrshire, or simply as Rabbie Burns to his friends. Scotland regard him as their national poet, and a national treasure.   I n fact, so much is he revered, not a night goes by in Glasgow when his poems aren't recited to the nearest lamppost after a night of gentle consumption of local ales.   Although Robert Burns is known outside Scotland, mainly to those Scots who have travelled, and to fans of his work, Burns might not be a household name throughout the world. But, you have all probably re...

Humorous History Presents: ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 24th January   On This Day in 1965, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill died.   Winston Churchill is best known as the Prime Minister of Britain during World War 2, and for constantly smoking a big, fat, cigar.   Although, what you might not know about Winston Churchill, was that he was pretty good at seeing into the future.   Churchill predicted he would die on the same day as his father. And he did: Winston Churchill died on 24th January 1965 (aged 90), and his father, Lord Randolph Churchill, died the same day in 1895 (aged 45).   However, his supernatural ability to predict the day of his death didn't stop him being accident prone. The guy was a klutz. As a little nipper, Churchill threw himself off a bridge, as you do, and suffered a concussion and ruptured a kidney.   He also nearly drowned in a Swiss lake, dislocated his shoulder disembarking a shi...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 23 JANUARY On This Day, the 23rd of January 1570, James Stewart , not a very legitimate son of King James V of Scotland, and also Regent to his half-nephew, baby King James VI of Scotland, was assassinated.   What was most interesting about the assassination, was the method.   James Stewart, the Earl of Moray was taking a stroll down the main street in Linlithgow, you know, minding his own business, and planning to usurp the throne from his baby nephew, when James Hamilton killed him by way of bullet from a gun.   This was the first recorded instance of assassination by firearm in history.   Rumours that Lady Mondegreen was also shot and killed at the same time is a myth. It's all down to the mistranslation of a poem.   Ye Highlands and ye Lowlands, Oh, where hae ye been? They hae slain the Earl o' Moray, And Lady Mondegreen.   In the original Scottish, the poem goes:   Ye Hielands an ye Low...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 22nd JANUARY   On This Day, the 22nd of January 1645, William Kidd was born.   That's Captain William Kidd. Not to be confused with Billy The Kid, who was a cowboy.   Captain William Kidd was a famous 17th century pirate. Although, in reality, Captain William Kidd's level of piracy is very much disputed.   Kidd was employed by the Governor of the Island of Nevis to sail his ship, Blessed William, with a small fleet of likeminded Captains, to protect the English settlement against the French. They were given permission and the authority to pillage the French ships of whatever plunder they wanted.   Kidd was later tasked with hunting enemy pirates and capturing or destroying their ships. So, far from being a pirate himself, he was actually hunting them down. He did this for a number of years and soon had a reputation for being a cruel Captain who didn't think twice about killing his crew or...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 21st JANUARY   On This Day, the 21st of January 1793, King Louis XVI of France was executed by way of having his head severed from his shoulders by the infamous guillotine.   Louis XVI had been arrested the previous August (13th August 1792) and imprisoned in the Temple, and ancient fortress in Paris. When the National Assembly met on the 21st of September, they had nothing but bad things to say about the king.   In fact, they went as far as saying he was a big poo-poo-pants and that France should no longer have a king because he was a big poo-poo-pants. They declared France to be a Republic and ordered the monarchy be abolished.   At first, they were content to keep the King locked up. But the discovery of the armoire de fer, or iron chest, in the king's bedroom, was the straw that broke the king's back. He was riding a camel at the time. And the camel also suffered the pain.   The iron chest contained compromising ...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 20th JANUARY On This Day, 20th January 1265, The first ever English Parliament to include not just Lords, but also the common people, was held at the Palace of Westminster. The English Parliament, or Simon de Montfort's Parliament, only lasted a few months, but it was the start of what would become the new normal for English politics. The summoning of both Commoners and Lords alike to discuss the politics of the nation. Simon de Montfort didn't start this tradition out of his belief the people should be represented in parliament. He did it as his power was dwindling and this was the only way to get it back. Simon de Montfort had taken control of England after defeating King Henry III at the Battle of Lewes. But, soon after, his power was being threatened. He needed more support. And that support wouldn't be found with the barons, as they were getting annoyed with Montfort. He decided to summon representatives of the barons, although ...

ON THIS DAY 19th JANUARY   On This Day, the 19th of January 1946, the one, the only, Dolly Parton was born. And, holy cow, she's still going strong. Her full name is Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, or Good-Golly-Miss-Dolly.   Dolly Parton is a singer with an amazing voice. Seriously, it's amazing. He voice will tickle your anus from over two hundred feet away.   Back in the day she had a massive problem with another women, who she begged not to take her man. This woman's beauty was beyond compare. She had flaming locks of auburn hair, and ivory skin beyond compare. Doesn't stop her being a complete hussy, though. Oh, Jolene. Jolene. Don't take her man just because you can.   On This Day, the 19th of January 1942, Michael Crawford was born.   Most of those as old as Crawford, who is old, but oh boy, does he look good for it, will know him as the hapless Frank Spencer in the television series Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. Those a bit y...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY 18th JANUARY On This Day, the 18th of January 350, Magnentius, played by Sir Ian McKellen, opposite what-a-really-smooth-head Patrick-Make-It-So-Stewart, deposed the Roman Emperor Constans and proclaimed himself the new all-powerful Mutant Magnet Magnentius Emperor of Rome. On This Day, 18th of January 532, in Constantinople,  the tit-for-tat between the supporters of two teams of chariot racers (the Blues and the Greens) which escalated into The Nika Riots a week ago, finally came to an end. For the last seven days, Constantinople had been plunged into chaos. Half the city was burned and destroyed, and thirty thousand people were killed. Celebrity Birthday On This Day, the 18th January 1955, American actor, direct, producer, singer, Kevin Costner was born. He once built a baseball stadium for ghosts that was engulfed in water, along with the entire world, before protecting Whitney Hous...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY 17th January   On This Day, the 17th of January 1595, King Henry IV of France , the first king of the House of Bourbon, declared war on Spain.   Henry had been raised a protestant. When he became King of France in 1589, he was pretty much forced to convert to Catholicism, due to France being a catholic country, and them placing nipple clamps on him until he agreed.   Everyone was happy about the King's sudden and unexpected change of religion, except for the protestants. They were not. At all.   It also appeared that Spain wasn't happy. Mainly with Henry, who they didn't like as he didn't share any of his chocolate biscuits with them. Spain kept pestering Henry, who finally had enough and declared war. My biscuits. My lovely crème biscuits. You not get none of these fabulous Bourbon Crème Biscuits.   King Henry IV had many people try to kill him over the years. And not just the entirety of Spain. Pierre B...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY - 16th JANUARY   On This Day, 16th of January, 27BC, the Roman Senate granted Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius the title of Augustus, and thus began the Roman Empire.   Quick note, this isn't Julius Caesar, the one you know loads about, the one who dallied his dilly in Cleopatra, the one who was best friends with Mark Anthony. This is Gaius Octavius, Julius Caesar's nephew, who took his uncle's name after his uncle died.   Read our Humorous History Fun Facts about Julius Caesar.     On This Day, the 16th of January 1547, Ivan the Terrible became Czar of Russia.   Ivan the Terrible had a fearsome reputation. He transformed Russia into an Empire and was the first person to be titled Tsar of all of Russia.   He is actually Ivan IV. The title of Ivan the Terrible was given to him by his wife on their wedding night. And not in a playful, seductive way: "Oh, Ivan, you bad b...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY for the 15th of JANUARY On This Day, 69, Otho proclaimed himself Emperor of Rome. It didn't last long. Three months later he committed suicide by stabbing himself in the heart with a dagger. Coincidently, a few hours after a psychiatrist brought back some memories he had been repressing. Otho started out as a rebel teen with a serious need to impress the Emperor Nero, one of his friends. They danced, drank, partied, constructed elaborate balloon animals for each other as a sign of friendship, and pretty much shared everything. And that was the problem. One summer day, blue skies, birds chirping, hippos expelling gas, Otho brought his wife, Poppaea Sabina, to visit Nero. It was love. And not just between Nero and the hippo. The Emperor decided Otho should share his wife. In secret, of course. Always in secret. Don't want that kind of betrayal to get back to your best friend. Nope. And maybe keep the hippo stuff confid...

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY for the 14th of JANUARY On This Day, 14th of January 1724, King Philip V of Spain abdicated his throne . His son, Louis, took over as King, although he didn't last long. Seven months later, and Louis was dead, leaving no heirs, and Philip re-king'd himself.   There are many rumours about Philip's abdication. And his mental instability. Some believe he had no choice but to give up the throne to his son, as his wife, the manipulative Elisabeth of Parma, and the seagulls at his bedroom window, told him to let his son be king. And to dance nekkid in the garden wearing a mask made out of a unicorn's head.   Others believe he abdicated the throne of Spain so he could ascend to the throne of France after Louis XV died. Philip was the grandson of King Louis XIV of France and so had a legitimate claim. But there was a law in place in France that meant any reigning King of Spain couldn't sit on the throne of France. ...