Until 1976, what were London taxis required by law to have in their cab at all times?
Answer: A bale of hay. Harking back to the era of horse drawn-carriages, the London Hackney Carriage Act 1831 stipulated that such a bale was to be kept in the boot to feed the horses. The clause was only removed 145 years later.
Source: The Strange Laws of Old England by Nigel Cawthorne
649 – King Chindasuinth, at the urging of bishop Braulio of Zaragoza, crowns his son Recceswinth, as co-ruler of the Visigothic Kingdom.
1320 – Duke Wladyslaw Lokietek becomes king of Poland.
1523 – Christian II is forced to abdicate as King of Denmark and Norway.
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A short, sharp hit of history in video format. Acclaimed Irish playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde was the toast of London society in the 1890s until things came decidedly unstuck through an association with a young British aristocrat, Lord Alfred Douglas, known as ‘Bosie’.
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French chef August Escoffier (1847-1935)
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‘With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your later days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable.’
General George Washington bidding farewell to his officers, December 4, 1783, at Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
Italian mystic who founded the religious order, the Franciscans. Renowned for his love, simplicity and practice of poverty, he is one of history’s most famous and venerated religious figures.
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