History Challenge & Journal

[pharvey]

Pretty sure it's the 1800's, but can't remember that far back!! Without "Googling", I'll take a stab in the dark and go for Middle-for-Diddle 1850.

[dtaai-maai]

Not bad, it was 1871.

[pharvey]

Not bad, it was 1871.

Christ, those school days weren't totally wasted then!!

When was the reunification of Germany?

[dtaai-maai]

1989?

[pharvey]

Closer than my initial guess - 1990!

[barrys]

Berlin wall fell (in metaphorical) terms in late 1989, official reunification in 1990.

[pharvey]

Berlin wall fell (in metaphorical) terms in late 1989, official reunification in 1990.

Fair play! For some reason I had in my head 1986..... Perhaps just memories of misadventures!

[PeteC]

Audio recording of the VE celebration in London 75 years ago today.

On the 8th of May 1945, hundreds of thousands of Londoners took to the streets to celebrate the end of the Second World War in Europe. BBC correspondents captured the scenes of joy across the city - from the East End to Piccadilly Circus. This programme is made up of material from the BBC Archives recorded on VE Day in 1945.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3cszmtt

[pharvey]

VE DAY! Obviously a huge day for - let's just say the "Allies", and massive news in the UK.

With "Lockdown", none of the usual Street Parties, BBQ's or gatherings - but a multitude of events shown on TV and shared on the Web, which have been quite something!

I watched several programs on the Discovery Channel and glad I did so - things I thought I knew about, things I knew nothing of...... Always had huge respect, even more so now - the "Lockdown" has it's advantages!

Just on one point, we (should) all know the US (well Roosevelt) put in major supplies to the British in 1941 despite the American public massively against things. I knew of the "Lend-Lease Policy" involved in this, but had not realised how many countries this entailed, or what land was "leased" and over what period. Any guesses???

British "colonies" on a 99 year lease for a clue - we'll get them back in the not too distant future then!!

Seriously, some think the "Lockdown" is hard - we owe everything to that generation, and we should never forget what they went through to give us the life we have.

[dtaai-maai]

Try this one for size. I'll keep it very general and get m ore specific depending on your guesses...

What took place in England in October 1936?

[pharvey]

Try this one for size. I'll keep it very general and get m ore specific depending on your guesses...

What took place in England in October 1936?

Well, 1936 was the Berlin Olympics - c*ck all to do with England (more US), but an embarrassment to Hitler..... Spanish Civil War - can't really think of England specific, but maybe connection? Demonstrations against government?

[dtaai-maai]

Demonstrations against government?

'Sort of' is the best answer I can give to that. Think further along those lines.

[PeteC]

Here's another one if anyone interested and has time after the current challenge is concluded.

Where and what?

....."This was highlighted in a remarkable parliamentary decree issued by the governments of both countries in the mid-16th Century, All Englishmen and Scottishmen are and shall be free to rob, burn, spoil, slay, murder and destroy, all and every such person and persons, their bodies, property, goods and livestock… without any redress to be made for same.”.....

[dtaai-maai]

Demonstrations against government?

'Sort of' is the best answer I can give to that. Think further along those lines.

Think flat caps and sturdy boots...

[Jimbob]

Hmm not the abdication of Edward nor The first TV broadcast but around that time.