A Scotsman in Buckingham

Monday, 6 July 2020

Today in History: July 6th

Hello Gentle Readers

Yes I know that this is the 3rd history post in 4 days but there is so much stuff to write about. July 6th is a very big day for events, famous births and deaths.

I did think about splitting it into 2 posts.

1907: Artist Frida Kahlo is born.

1925: Rock n Roll star Bill Haley is born.

1935: The 14th and current Dalai Lama is born.

1942: Anne Frank and her family go into hiding.

1946: Actor Sylvester Stallone is born

1947: The AK-47 assault rifle goes into production.

1957: John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet for the first time.

1975: US rap star 50 cent is born.

1988: The Piper Alpha oil rig explodes in the North Sea killing 167 people.

1998: Legendary Hollywood cowboy Roy Rogers dies.

#6thjuly #todayinhistory #royrogers #piperalpha #50cent #thebeatles #AK47 #sylvesterstallone #annefrank #billhaley #fridakahlo #dalailama

Sunday, 5 July 2020

Today in History: July 5th

Hello Gentle readers. Lets pack our cases of time and hopefully (Covid safely) head off to the holidays of history.

1687: Isaac Newton publishes his seminal work, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica

1810: Showman P.T. Barnum is born.

1841: Thomas Cook arranges the first ever package holiday. A trip from Leicester to Loughborough.

1937: Spam, the luncheon meat is first put on sale.

1995: Four years after independence from the USSR, Armenia adopts its new constitution.

#5thjuly #todayinhistory #thomascook #isaacnewton #armenia #spam #ptbarnum

Friday, 3 July 2020

Today in History: July 3rd

Hello gentle readers.

Lets keep our Eyes Wide Shut as we accept the Impossible Mission of time and become the Top Gun of history.

1775: George Washinton takes command of the Continental Army.

1844: The last pair of Great Auks are killed.

1883: Playwrite Franz Kafka is born.

1962: Actor Tom Cruise is born.

1969: Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones dues.

1971: The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison dies.

#3rdjuly #todayinhistory #jimmorrison #brianjones #tomcruise #franzkafka #greatauk #georgewashington

Thursday, 2 July 2020

Robert's Summer Writing: My summer

Sorry Gentle Readers.

I accidentally deleted Robert's first writing entry. Here it is again.

Enjoy

This summer we did not go anywhere because of Covid-19. All the borders are closed. This summer I stayed home and did some reading, writing, spelling and maths.

This summer is OK. I quite like it because I can stay home. I have been listening to the Harry Potter books and have just finished the last one.

My summer is good with my parents. I have lots of rest after my work. I like summer because you can rest. This summer has been a little boring because we cannot go anywhere.

#robertssummer

Robert's Summer writing: Riga

Hello Gentle Readers

Here is Robert's latest bit of writing.

Enjoy.

Riga is a cool place. In Riga there is good food. I like Riga because it is a fun city. In Riga the language is Latvian. Riga is a small place. The people are very kind and nice. I was born in Riga.

#robertssummer #riga

Wednesday, 1 July 2020

Top 10 Fun facts: Turkmenistan

Hello Gentle Readers

In the last month, I have had over 150 blog views from Turkmenistan. A former Soviet republic it is located between Kazakhstan and Iran. It also shares borders with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

Hello to all of you visiting the blog. Here arw my top 10 fun facts about Turkmenistan.

1 It is currently one of the least visited countries in the world. Year 2018 saw 13000 visitors.

2. Turkmenistan became independent from Soviet rule in 1991 and it’s first president Niyazov declared himself “President For Life.” He remained president until his death in 2006.

3. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow banned all non-white cars from the capital in 2018.

4. Turkmenistan holds a Guinness World Record for the most number of white marble buildings.

5. The famous Darvaza Crater started burning 50 years ago due to a human error. As it resembles the description of hell, it is popularly nicknamed “Doorway to Hell”

6. Turkmenistan has the 6th largest oil and gas reserves in the world.

7. You will not find any International retail brands in Turkmenistan.

8. Dubbed as the North Korea of Central Asia, Turkmenistan is ranked as one of the hardest countries to enter, with strict visa applications requiring assistance from tour agencies and a guide.

9. According to the 2017 World Press Freedom Index, Turkmenistan ranked is 178^th out of 180 with only North Korea and Eritrea below it. This puts it in the top 10 of most censored countries.

10. This unique country holds the Guinness World Record for the largest indoor Ferris wheel in an architectural structure. The Ferris wheel is 156 feet (47.60 m) tall, while it’s surrounding structure is 187 feet (57 m).