James Thorne

Historian & classicist with a particular interest in linguistics & philology, ancient & modern, English or not. Fair range of contemporary interests, too.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1981: The largest UK manhunt ends when serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, the "Yorkshire Ripper", is arrested.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Tonight 1853: A notable London dinner is held inside a life-size model of an iguanodon made by Hawkins & Owen. HNY!

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1695: A window tax is imposed in England, causing householders to brick up windows. Case of 'Daylight Robbery'!

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1879: Tay Bridge disaster: Dundee's central Rail Bridge disastrously collapses as a train crosses, killing 75.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1065: The consecration of Westminster Abbey takes place, only a week before Edward the Confessor's death. http://t.co/WeHq9FjtAK

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

U.S. postage stamp commemorating religious freedom and the Flushing Remonstrance, signed on this day 1657.

[Eleanor Parker @ClerkofOxford]

St John, from the Benedictional of St Æthelwold (BL Add. 49598, f.19v):

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1831: Charles Darwin embarks on his journey on HMS Beagle, where he will begin to form the theory of evolution.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 800 – Coronation of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor, in Rome. Busy old day, this!

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1066 – William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, is crowned King of England, at Westminster Abbey, London.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 597: Augustine of Canterbury & fellow-labourers baptise in Kent more than 10,000 Anglo-Saxons. Quite a feat!

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

The popular Radish Night is celebrated annually today, beginning in 1897 in the “zócalo” (plaza) of Oaxaca, Mexico.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

@ghobubo Many issues have needed dealing with recently apart from executing 4 (sic) wills. Hopefully more active time now. Best, James.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

The Night of the Radishes (Spanish: Noche de rábanos) is celebrated annually on December 23 in Oaxaca city, Mexico.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today annually: Radish Night (Noche de rábanos) - one of the uniquest folk art festivals, occuring in Oaxaca, Mexico.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1947: The transistor, amplifying & switching electrical power, is first demonstrated at Bell Laboratories.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1688: English King James II (deposed on producing a Catholic heir) flees the land in the Glorious Revolution.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Interior view of Hagia Sophia (in form the Church dedicated by Justinian today 562), with certain Islamic additions.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 562: Constantinople's Hagia Sophia reopens with a new dome after earthquakes collapsed the previous basilica.

[James Thorne @JamesThorne2]

Today 1790: Discovery of the Aztec (or Sun) calendar stone, maybe the most famous surviving work of their sculpture.