"Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

On this day in 1813 the famous Scottish explorers/ medical missionary David Livingstone was born. He was perhaps one of the most popular national heroes of the late 19th century in Victorian Britain. Much like all things empirical the myth seems to be larger than the man himself but there is no doubting the impact he had on British life at the time of his travels.

Although I am not a Rugby fan I do hope Scotland can avoid the wooden spoon today.

Oh well its the weekend so I think I'll go for a walk, but unlike Livingstone on his search for the source of the river Nile, I will try not to get lost.

I just made a new Voki. See it here:

It's been a while

Ok so I have not posted for a while. I have been busy and access at school is no existent but that's just not good enough so I will post more from now on.

Today in 1938 Germany invaded Austria. A union of Austria and Germany was proclaimed by Adolf Hitler. The storm clouds were gathering in Europe.

However our world today has had a shock. If you can click and give....

http://www.redcross.org.uk/Donate-Now/Make-a-single-donation/Japan-Tsunami-Appeal

Television

Way back in 1926 John Baird, a Scottish inventor, demonstrated a pictorial transmission machine called television. This invention was to change life forever.

He was born in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire. He was educated at Larchfield Academy (now part of Lomond School), Helensburgh; the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College (which later became the University of Strathclyde); and the University of Glasgow. His degree course was interrupted by World War I and he never returned to graduate.

Imagine what life would be without television. This is a still a reality for billions of people so we should be thankful for our privilege.

Oh Yes!

On this day back in 1965 Sir Winston Churchill died.

Of course he will be remembered as the man who lead Britain through WWII but he had a long and varied career. Some, myself included, say he was controversial character at times.

To find out more you can click on the link below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/churchill_winston.shtml

Big Brother's Father

Today back in 1950 Acclaimed author George Orwell passed away.

He began writing 1984 after resigning from the BBC World Service in September 1943 where he had been employed writing and producing news for India.

It was his increasing frustration with the Ministry of Information, which censored the news during World War II, which led to his resignation and subsequently became the central theme of 1984

George Orwell's name itself has become an adjective -"Orwellian" - meaning an oppressive system.

1984 and Animal Farm frequently appear in lists of the world's best-ever selling novels.

Have a great weekend everyone. It's almost pay day and I am off to Dublin next weekend to visit one of my oldest friends. Can not wait.

Peace perfect peace?

On this day back in 1919 The World War I Peace Congress opened in Versailles, France (the palace where this took place is in the picture).

Well it was supposed to be a peace conference but the resulting peace settlement caused huge resentment in Germany and has a major part to play in the rise of the Nazi party. Take note all in Standard grade!!

Oh baby its cold outside

On this day in 1912 the English explorer Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole. Norwegian Roald Amundsen had beaten him there by one month. Scott and his party died during the return trip.

Now Scott of the Antarctic is a very famous and enduring image, there is something very bold and brave about the courageous failure. That being said we don't give enough credit to the man that actually made it (that's him in the picture), thanks in part to a better bit of planning. If this tale tells us one thing preparation is vital if you want anything to succeed.

Monday over!

Back once again

Again I am sorry for not blogging more, it has been a mixture of being really busy and not being able to get a shot of the computer at home.

Today way back in 1547 Ivan the Terrible was crowned Czar of Russia.He was responsible for transforming Russia into a multi ethnic and multiconfessional state spanning almost one billion acres, approximately 4,046,856 km2 (1,562,500 sq mi). Ivan was terrible not only due to his fits of anger and rage but he also blew up people with explosives, impaled people and he fried them, too.

Its not really fair for us to judge him by today's standards as life back in the 16th century was more brutal than what we are hopefully used to in our normal lives. Also Ivan was believed to have suffered from mercury poising causing poor mental health.

Purple Haze

Today in 1967 Jimi Hendrix recorded "Purple Haze." If you don't know the song click on the video. Jimi Hendrix was an amazing artist and arguably the finest guitar player ever.

Wait a minute Mr Postman

Today in 1840 The penny post, whereby mail was delivered at a standard charge rather than paid for by the recipient, began in Britain.

In our paperless world this may not mean a lot but the ability this afforded common people to communicate meant that no matter how far flung your family was you could always stay in touch. This was important too in a time where people were moving to a variety of locations for jobs and a better life.

Sorry for the lack of posts. Laziness and an inability to get near the laptop has held me back. I promise to do more.

Happy new year, I hope you had a great time.