Months Past

The UN Declaration of Human Rights

On 10 December 1948, after months of negotiation led by Eleanor Roosevelt, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was passed by the UN General Assembly.

Death of a Turkey Legend

William Strickland died on 8 December 1598. He was said to have introduced the turkey to England, but the truth followed him to his grave.

The Women’s War Breaks Out

On 23 November 1929 Nigeria’s women rose against the colonial authorities, demanding a return to traditional values and the ejection of the British. 

The St Brice’s Day Massacre

When paying off the Vikings failed to yield lasting peace, on 13 November 1002 king Æthelred ordered the slaughter of England’s Danes instead.

The Wreck of the Vrouw Maria

On 9 October 1771 masterpieces of Dutch art destined for Catherine the Great sank with the Vrouw Maria off the coast of Finland.

Death of the King of Siam

On 1 October 1868 King Mongkut – who reigned as Rama IV – passed away having trod a delicate course to keep Thailand free of European empires.

The Great Fire of Smyrna

As the Ottoman Empire crumbled, the Greek and Armenian quarters of Smyrna were set ablaze on 13 September 1922 by the vengeful Turkish army.