At 11:40 pm on 14 April 1912, the RMS Titanic, which had been transporting 2,208 people from Southampton to New York, hit an iceberg while crossing the North Atlantic ocean. Search the newspapers Over the course of the next few days the British press was littered with conflicting news and information, with statements claiming that all passengers were safe and the ‘unsinkable’ ship had started making its way to Halifax. The Western Times had quite a job keeping up with …
Headlines from History
In celebration of National Pet Day, the world’s first holiday dedicated to man’s best friend, we have been searching through the archive for examples of incredible canines throughout history. Search the newspapers From daring rescuers to lovable rogues, we have put together a selection of magnificent mutts whose remarkable stories are guaranteed to warm the hearts of even the most determined cat lovers. Swansea Jack Swansea Jack was a black retriever with a longish coat who lived with his owner, William Thomas, near the …
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Next month sees the marking of the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising. Irish nationalists headed a campaign to end British rule in Ireland during a time when the outcome of World War 1 was uncertain. We take a look at how the events of 1916 were documented in the British press at the time. Search the newspapers News of the Rising started to filter through to the British newspapers on Tuesday, 25 April 1916. A smattering of local papers managed to …
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The end of Lent is nearly in sight, so for those of you who’ve managed to abstain from a chocolate bar or cheeky tipple, here’s some inspiration to help you through the final days… Search the newspapers As a predominantly Roman Catholic country, Lent has been of national significance in Ireland for hundreds of years. As the Waterford Chronicle reported on 25 February 1860, “The Chapels of our city were densely crowded with the Faithful, anxious to commence the Holy …
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Sometimes a search through the archive turns up some baffling search results. In this case, it was the incredible regularity of instances where apprentices have been heralded for their bravery in rescuing drowning people. Search the newspapers This frequency begs the question: what makes an apprentice such a good person to have around treacherous waters? Let us know your theory in the comments below…
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There’s a lot to be learned from history. Thankfully, the newspapers are one way that those who came before us were able to record their advice to future generations. Search the newspapers One title in particular caught our eye. The Athlone Sentinel offered a wealth of advice on everything from being a man to the importance of white hands. The value of energy “He who, by any intellectual and moral energy, awakens kindred energy in others touches springs of infinite …
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From the 8th to the 15th February 1942, the Empire of Japan invaded Singapore, one of Britain’s largest military bases in the South East. The move, that would see 85,000 British, Australian and Indian troops taken prisoner of war, was dubbed the “worst disaster” in British military history by Winston Churchill. Search the newspapers Back in Britain, the newspapers were filled with reports of missing troops and families appealing for information. Many of these men had been taken prisoner, but …
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It’s nearly Valentine’s Day and love is in the air at the British Newspaper Archive. Everyone loves a wedding, but even more exciting is the wedding of couples who have found each other against the odds, such as being born thousands of miles apart. Search the newspapers Here’s a selection of our favourite photos of Anglo-American weddings from the archive, featuring couples who met despite being born on opposite sides of the Atlantic, as well as All-American duos who tied …
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In case you’re tempted to take out a “Lonely Hearts” ad this Valentine’s Day, be warned: according to the newspaper archive you’d be wise to stay vigilant. Search the newspapers In fact, as the Aberdeen Journal suggested in 1949: Aberdeen Journal – Monday 07 March 1949© THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unfortunately, the famous Lonely Hearts murders in New York were not an isolated incident. William Sanchez d’Epina Hepper was born in Gibraltar in 1891. He spent …
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As the film adaptation of the beloved BBC television series Dad’s Army is released today, many critics have applauded the film’s new take on women’s involvement in the war. Far from being the running gag of the little woman heard but never seen, Mrs Mainwaring has stepped up to take centre stage, leading a group of women in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Search the newspapers The role that these women played, whether acting as telephonists in France to or cooks …