On This Day in London: The Shady Old Lady's Guide to London


It all happened here on our streets, but today is the anniversary of which key events from London's history:

24th May 1981 Dixon of Dock Green actor Jack Warner died in London aged 85. (45 years ago this year)

24th May 1953 Born today: Alfred Molina, London, actor (Enchanted April, Prick up your Ears) (73 years ago this year)

24th May 1908 John Masefields Tragedy of Nan, premieres in London (118 years ago this year)

24th May 1899 The state apartments at Kensington Palace opened to the public for the first time. (127 years ago this year) go to related location

24th May 1890 Tivoli Theater of Varities opens in London (136 years ago this year)

24th May 1879 James Walker's original Vauxhall toll bridge was opened up for free by the Prince of Wales. (147 years ago this year)

24th May 1862 Westminster Bridge across The Thames first opened. (164 years ago this year) go to related location

24th May 1850 Painter Ernest Albert Waterlow was born in London. (176 years ago this year)

24th May 1840 Painter Frederick Walker was born in Marylebone. (186 years ago this year)

24th May 1819 Queen Victoria is born at Kensington Palace. (207 years ago this year) go to related location

25th May 1959 Born today: Cathryn Harrison, London England, actress (Old Woman in Black Moon) (67 years ago this year)

25th May 1958 Actor Jamie Foreman was born in Bermondsey. (68 years ago this year)

25th May 1913 Journalist and presenter Richard Dimbleby was born in Richmond. (113 years ago this year)

25th May 1905 Born today: Binnie Barnes, London, actress (Adv of Marco Polo, Diamond Jim) (121 years ago this year)

25th May 1900 London fire chief Eyre Massey Shaw became (controversially) the oldest Olympic gold medalist aged 70. (126 years ago this year) go to related location

25th May 1888 Actor Miles Malleson was born in Croydon. (138 years ago this year)

25th May 1878 Gilbert/Sullivans opera HMS Pinafore, premieres in London (148 years ago this year)

25th May 1846 Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria, was born in Buckingham Palace. (180 years ago this year) go to related location

25th May 1816 Samuel Taylor Coleridge publishes poems Kubla Khan and Christabel in London. (210 years ago this year) go to related location

26th May 1975 Evel Knievel crashes at Wembley while trying to jump over 13 single decker city buses. (51 years ago this year)

26th May 1974 During a David Cassidy concert in London a 14 year old is trampled (52 years ago this year)

26th May 1972 Eastenders actress Patsy Palmer was born in London. (54 years ago this year)

26th May 1966 Actress Helena Bonham Carter born in Golders Green, London. (60 years ago this year)

26th May 1953 Politician Michael Portillo was born in Bushey. (73 years ago this year)

26th May 1951 Vaughan Williams Pilgrim's Progress, premieres in London (75 years ago this year)

26th May 1942 Anglo-Soviet Treaty signed in London (84 years ago this year)

26th May 1915 Childrens author (Marlow series) Antonia Forest born in London. (111 years ago this year)

26th May 1906 The current Vauxhall bridge was officially opened by the Prince of Wales. (120 years ago this year) go to related location

26th May 1893 Born today: Eugene Goossens, London England, conductor/composer (Perseus) (133 years ago this year)

26th May 1867 Mary of Teck, Queen of Great Britain and consort of George V, born in Kensington Palace. (159 years ago this year) go to related location

26th May 1839 The first burial in newly-opened Highgate Cemetery. (187 years ago this year) go to related location

26th May 1826 Solar flare astronomer Richard Christopher Carrington was born in Chelsea. (200 years ago this year)

27th May 2005 Big Ben breaks down due to high temperatures. (21 years ago this year) go to related location

27th May 1993 Jan Wiley, actress (Underdog, Brute Man, She Wolf of London), dies (33 years ago this year)

27th May 1971 Actor Paul Bettany was born in London. (55 years ago this year)

27th May 1957 Siouxsie Sioux, singer of punk rockers Siouxsie and the Banshees, was born in London. (69 years ago this year)

27th May 1957 Duncan Goodhew, 100m breast stroke 1980 Olympic gold medallist, born in London. (69 years ago this year)

27th May 1922 Born today: Christopher Lee, London England, actor (Hound of Baskervilles) (104 years ago this year)

27th May 1908 Snooker player Alec Brown was born in London. (118 years ago this year)

27th May 1898 Arthur Pinero's Trelawney of the 'Wells', premieres in London (128 years ago this year)

27th May 1892 England cricketer Freddie Calthorpe was born in Kensington. (134 years ago this year)

27th May 1849 Grand opening of the Great Hall at Euston station. (177 years ago this year) go to related location

27th May 1199 The Coronation of John I in Westminster Abbey. (827 years ago this year) go to related location

28th May 1959 Johnson and Bart's musical Lock up your daughters, premieres in London (67 years ago this year)

28th May 1949 Only Fools and Horses actress Sue Holderness was born in London. (77 years ago this year)

28th May 1908 James Bond author Ian Fleming was born today in London. (118 years ago this year) go to related location

28th May 1897 Born today: Henry Kendall, London, actor (Amazing Quest, Shadow, Rich and Strange) (129 years ago this year)

28th May 1858 Dion Boucicault's Foul Play, premieres in London (168 years ago this year)

28th May 1742 1st indoor swimming pool opens (Goodman's Fields, London) (284 years ago this year)

28th May 1728 Celebrated satirical painter William Hogarth successfully sues agent Joshua Morris. (298 years ago this year)