This Week in History

May 25th to May 31st

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. 25th May 1895: Oscar Wilde is sentenced to two years hard labour for the crime of gross indecency. 27th May 1703: St Petersburg is founded on the banks of the Neva River 25th May 1659: Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector, leading to the restoration of the monarchy. Charles II lands at Dover exactly one year later.

May 18th to May 24th

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. 23 May 1618 - Second Defenestration of Prague leads to the Thirty Years War 24th May 1844 - first telegraph message sent 21st May 1780 - Elizabeth Fry is born

May 11th to May 17th

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. 16th May 1943 - Operation Chastise: No. 617 Squadron RAF begins the famous Dambusters Raid 13th May 1787 - The First Fleet sets sail for Botany Bay, Australia, with 11 ships and over 700 convicts 17th May 1861 - The first color photograph, of a tartan ribbon is shown by Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell to the Royal Institution in London

May 4th to May 10th

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. 4th May 1990 - Latvia declares its independence 10th May 1857 - Indian rebellion against British rule by the East India Company begins 10th May 1824 - The National Gallery first opens at 100 Pall Mall

April 27th to May 3rd

Fascinating, surprising and eye-opening stories from the past, brought to life. 2nd May 1982 - The Argentine navy cruiser General Belgrano is controversially sunk by a British nuclear submarine during the Falklands War. 1st May 1707 - The Act of Union unites England and Scotland to form Great Britain. 3rd May 1978 - Marketing manager Gary Thuerk sends the first spam email.