Historical Fun

Memorial Day Facts Yep, it's Memorial Day in America, and that means a three day holiday weekend. But, as well as a nice long break from work, picnics, parades, family barbeques, it's also a day of remembrance for those who have fallen in battle defending their country against those who meant it harm. The tradition of commemorating those who died in service can be traced back hundreds, if not thousands of years. The Greek and Romans had their own celebrations, as did the Egyptians.   It wasn't until the US Civil War that the practice became widespread in American.   Watch the video tribute   Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. After the Civil War, General John A. Logan called for a holiday to commemorate fallen soldiers, and suggested May 30th.   It wasn't until 1971 that Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday in May each year and became a proper holiday.   You're actually legally obligated to obse...

What Happened to the Winners of Britain's Got Talent?   Britain's Got Talent first hit the television screes back in 2007 and has just completed its tenth year. Who were the winners and what did they do after they won?   2007 Winner: Paul Potts Paul Potts, a former mobile phone salesman, sang Nessun Dorma and shocked the judges with his performance. Since he won the show, Paul has performed at over 800 concerts.   "One Chance", his debut album went double platinum and topped the charts in nine countries. His next three albums did rather moderately in comparison.   In 2013, James Corden starred as Paul Potts in a movie about the life of Paul Potts.   2008 Winner: George Sampson The 14-year-old George Sampson won BGT in 2008, having failed to get through to the finals the previous year.   After his winning performance dancing to a remix of Singing In The Rain, he became the face of NatWest i...

Historical Fun Fact - May 23rd   On this day in history in 1701, Captain William Kidd was executed for Piracy on the High Seas.   Captain William Kidd was a famous 17th century pirate.   That's Captain William Kidd. Not to be confused with Billy The Kid, who was a cowboy, not a pirate. Although 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 had a reputation for being a cruel Captain who didn't think twice about kill...

HISTORY FACTS FOR MAY 15th   On this day in history in 392, the Roman Emperor Valentinian II was assassinated  at his house in Vienne. The 17-year-old was found hanging from the end of a rope attached to a beam.   On this day in history in 1252, Pope Innocent IV issued his papal bull ad extirpanda (some people have weird names for their fun sticks) which authorized the torture of heretics in the Inquisition. Because it's not about love thy neighbour, it's about torturing those who don't share the same views.   On this day in history in 1536, Anne-My-Head-Feels-Loose-Boleyn's trial began in London . She was charged with treason, adultery, incest, and revealing spoilers about Game of Thrones before her husband, King Henry VIII, had seen the latest episode.   OFF WITH HER HEAD.   On this day in history in 1567, Mary, Queen of Scots , married her 3rd husband, James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, just three months after her s...