July, 2013 | The British Newspaper Archive Blog

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1 August – ‘Yorkshire Day’ and the Battle of Minden

To celebrate ‘Yorkshire Day’, here is an article from the ‘Sheffield Daily Telegraph’ of 1903 that tells the story of the Battle of Minden. And here is a blog post that explains the tradition of how the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) came to wear white roses in their hats. Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 03 August 1903 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000250/19030803/069/0007

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The Death of Franz Liszt – 31 July 1886

Franz Liszt, the virtuoso pianist and composer, died in Bayreuth on 31 July 1886, aged 74. The two newspaper reports below (published in early August 1886), offer a fascinating picture of Liszt’s last hours and also an overview of his life as a genius musician. The second report entitled,  ‘Revelations About Lizst’, is more gossipy in tone and provides a brief summary of his troubles with Wagner as well as Liszt’s spiritual struggles. Manchester Evening News – Tuesday 03 August 1886

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What’s in a Name? Choosing a Name for a Baby

‘A rose by any other name would smell as sweet’ Inspired by the brief air of mystery that surrounded the naming of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s baby, George Alexander Louis, we thought we’d share some articles from the Archive that explore all the various naming conventions that exist for babies. The first article included below was published in 14 December 1948, just three weeks after Prince Charles was born, and one day before the then nameless baby was

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Uruguay Wins the First World Cup – 30 July 1930

In Montevideo on 30 July 1930, Uruguay defeated Arentina 4-2 to win the first ever football World Cup. Included below are two newspaper stories from 31 July 1930 that report on this historic football match. In the headline to the first report, it says that 50 MPs attended the match. Hmm, we presume that the writer means honourable members of the Uruguyan parliament, not Westminster. We have to confess that we’re a bit baffled by this reference to MPs. If anyone

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Adolf Hitler’s Thoughts on Art and the Opening of the ‘House of German Art’- July 1937

In Munich in July 1937, Hitler opened the ‘House of German Art’. All the exhibits in the new building were officially approved by the Nazi Party. Indeed, Hitler himself threw out many paintings which fell short of the standard required by the National Socialist Party. Here are three newspaper reports from July 1937 which provide a fascinating insight into this most sinister of art exhibitions. Dundee Courier – Monday 19 July 1937 Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created

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Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia – 28 July 1914

On 28 July 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The declaration of war was made after Serbia rejected the terms in an ultimatum sent to them by Austria on July 23, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungary throne, had been assassinated by Serbian student, Gavrilo Princip, in Sarajevo. Here is a newspaper report published the day after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. Discover more

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The Arrest and Guillotining of Robespierre – 27 and 28 July 1794

On 27 July 1794 during the ‘Reign of Terror’, the National Convention in Paris ordered the arrest of Maximilien de Robespierre. When was was eventually captured Robespierre attemped to kill himself with a pistol, but only succeeded in wounding his jaw. On 28 July 1794, Robespierre was guillotined the Place de la Revolution, along with his brother, Augustin, and 12 others – there had been no trial of Robespierre or the others. Here is a newspaper story, published in August 1794,

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The Death of Eva Peron – 26 July 1952

‘Weeping crowds stood all night in the rain outside the presidential palace.’ Eva (aka Evita) Peron died from cancer in Buenos Aires on 26 July 1952, aged only 33. Eva Peron was very much a champion of the people – hence the massive outpouring of national grief at her very early death. To mark the day, here is a newspaper story that reports on her death and also provides a very interesting summary of her life. Dundee Courier – Monday

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Louis Bleriot Becomes the First Man to Fly Across the English Channel in an Airplane – 25 July 1909

On 25 July 1909, Louis Bleriot made history by flying over the Channel in an airplane designed and built by himself. The historic flight took 36 minutes and 30 seconds, and in the heavy landing at Dover, Bleriot damaged the plane’s undercarriage and also broke the propeller. Thankfully, Bleriot was unhurt. To mark this momentous achievement, here is a newspaper report on Bleriot’s flight, that was published the day after Bleriot landed in England. Evening Telegraph – Monday 26 July

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The Drowning of Captain Webb at Niagara Falls – 24 July 1883

On 24 July 1883, Captain Matthew Webb, the first man to swim the English Channel, drowned in the Whirlpool Rapids at Niagara River, below the Falls. To mark the sad day, here are two newspaper stories from July 1883 that report on Webb’s drowning, including a report of Captain Webb’s thoughts on how he would successfully perform the swim. Chelmsford Chronicle – Friday 27 July 1883 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000225/18830727/017/0004 Nottingham Evening Post –

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