"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!!