…in 1666, the Great Fire of London began. It originated at Thomas Farriner’s bakery in Pudding Lane in the early hours of the morning. It raged for four days and devastated the city.
Author Archives: Holly Hewlett
On This Day…
… in 1939, Hitler’s armies invaded Poland, officially starting the Second World War.
On This Day…
…in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the American Constitution was officially ratified, giving women the right to vote.
How Feminism Saved A (Fictional) Life
Over the weekend I watched the director’s cut of one of my old favourites; ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ (1992). (Who doesn’t love Daniel Day Lewis?!) However historically accurate in setting, costume and dialogue, Michael Mann’s film is actually very different to the novel upon which it is based…
[Spoilers ahead]
In the film, the brave, intelligent and charismatic Cora Munro falls in love with the scout Hawk-eye (also known as Nathaniel), much to the disappointment of Major Duncan Hayward, who wanted her for his wife. Her meek, juvenile sister Alice has a largely off-screen, never fully realised romantic relationship with the Native American Indian Uncas, who ultimately loses his life trying to save her from the villainous Magua. After Uncas’ death, and fearing life as Magua’s wife, Alice takes her own life.
In James Fenimore Cooper’s novel of the same name, first published in 1826, it is Alice who is desired by Duncan – and even ends up marrying him – while Cora is doomed to the tragic love affair with Uncas instead. And poor Day Lewis’ Hawk-eye enjoys no romance whatsoever. Cora’s changing fate is the result of changing attitudes towards women between the time the novel was set (1757) and written (1826), and the time the film was made (1992).
On This Day…
…in 1847, Charlotte Brontë sent a manuscript of Jane Eyre to her publisher in London. Due to the misogyny of the time, Charlotte wrote under the pseudonym ‘Currer Bell,’ so that her work would be taken more seriously. Her sisters, Emily and Anne, did the same, writing as ‘Ellis Bell’ and ‘Acton Bell’.
On This Day…
…in 1692, five people were hanged in Salem, Massachussetts after being convicted of witchcraft. Fourteen more were executed for the crime that year, and a further 150 were imprisoned.
On This Day…
… in 1977, Elvis Presley died of a heart attack in his Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee.
RIP the King of Rock and Roll.
On This Day…
…in 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies, marking the end of the Second World War. Known as VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day), today is the 70th Anniversary.
Never Before Seen Photo of Tower Bridge being Built
A wealth of previously unseen photos from the Francis Frith Collection have been uploaded to the website Ancestry.com, including this beautiful image of Tower Bridge being constructed in 1890. Francis Frith was an English photographer, born in 1822.
On This Day…
… in 1940, the Battle of Britain began. This was the first major battle to be fought solely in the air. Lasting from July to October, defeat would have meant the invasion of Britain and a very different conclusion to the Second World War. Instead, the allies’ victory marked a significant turning point in the war.
My History Cafe 