Great Western’s maiden voyage crossed the Atlantic in a record time of 15 days and five ...

8th April 1838: SS Great Western begins her maiden voyage to New York as the first steamship specifically built for transatlantic travel

The 'on this day in history' podcast, with a new episode every single day. Featuring historical events that range from the Roman Empire to the World Wide Web, HistoryPod proves that there is always something to be remembered 'on this day'. Written and presented by Scott Allsop, creator of the award-winning www.mrallsophistory.com

History

Society & Culture

Essential services such as transportation, utilities, and communication networks were severely disrupted by the General Strike and the Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, was forced to declare a state of emergency and mobilise troops to maintain order and provide essential ...

4th May 1926: General strike of 1.7 million workers begins in the United Kingdom.

Thuerk later revealed that around 40 people came to the demonstrations the email was advertising, and estimated that this led to more than $12 million in ...

3rd May 1978: The world’s first ‘spam’ email sent by Gary Thuerk of Digital Equipment Corporation

By the time the authorities re-established control on the morning of 4 May, two prison officers and three perpetrators lay ...

2nd May 1946: The Battle of Alcatraz began when armed inmates attempted to escape from the high security prison

The Penny Black allowed letters weighing up to half an ounce (14 grams) to be delivered for one penny, regardless of the distance travelled. This made sending mail more accessible and affordable, leading to a significant increase in postal traffic and the growth of the postal ...

1st May 1840: The Penny Black, the world’s first pre-paid postage stamp, goes on sale in the UK

Washington's inauguration was conducted on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street, with thousands of spectators gathered below to witness the historic ...

8th April 1838: SS Great Western begins her maiden voyage to New York as the first steamship specifically built for transatlantic travel

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