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January
Jan 11, 2006 4:12:55 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 11, 2006 4:12:55 GMT 10
Jnauary 12
January 12 1659 A frisky camel caused a sensation in Edinburgh.
John Buchan, author of 'The Thirty Nine Steps' died today in 1940. Born in Perth in 1875, the son of a Free Church minister, Buchan went on to become Governor General of Canada from 1935 until his death.
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January
Jan 13, 2006 4:24:19 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 13, 2006 4:24:19 GMT 10
Jnauary 13
January 13 603 Death of St Mungo, patron saint of Glasgow (and also known as St Kentigern).
January 13 1796 John Anderson, founder of "Andersonian Institute" (now Strathclyde University) died.
Today in 1893 James Keir Hardie founded the Independent Labour Party. Born in Legbrannock, Lanarkshire, he was the country's first Labour MP, winning the West Ham constituency in the 1892 election. Although Hardie lost his seat in 1895, he regained a parliamentary position by winning Merthyr Tydfil in 1900. He served as Labour Party leader until 1910 when he was replaced by fellow Scot, George Barnes. On January 13 1915, Mary Slessor, missionary in West Africa and known to many as "Ma", died in Calabar. Born the daughter of a shoemaker in Aberdeen, Slessor left her work in a Dundee jute mill to become a missionary. Her strong will and fierce defence of women's and children's rights led to many changes within West African society. She became an immensely popular and respected figure with the indigenous population in West Africa.
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January
Jan 13, 2006 4:28:42 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 13, 2006 4:28:42 GMT 10
January 14
On January 14 1872 the famous dog Greyfriars Bobby died. The faithful Skye terrier had stayed by his master's grave for 14 years, following his death. The statue of Greyfriars Bobby, now a well known Edinburgh landmark, was unveiled in November 1873. January 14 1930 Sir Thomas Mackenzie, New Zealand statesman and Prime Minister, died.
Today in 1979 saw the birth of Scotland's first test-tube baby. Grace Montgomery from Glasgow gave birth to Alastair, the country's first 'test tube' baby. The embryo was created by Mr.Patrick Steptoe, the gynaecologist who was also responsible for the birth of Louise Brown, the world's first 'test tube' baby, who was born on 25 July 1978 in England
January 14 1990 Death of actor Gordon Jackson (Tunes of Glory, Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Upstairs, Downstairs etc).
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Elly
Administrator
Posts: 29,887
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January
Jan 15, 2006 4:53:36 GMT 10
Post by Elly on Jan 15, 2006 4:53:36 GMT 10
January 8 1729 Two women arrested in Edinburgh for wearing men's clothing.
I wonder what that was all about?
No Idea #confused#
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January
Jan 15, 2006 20:27:05 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 15, 2006 20:27:05 GMT 10
January 8 1729 Two women arrested in Edinburgh for wearing men's clothing. I wonder what that was all about? No Idea #confused# Back in those days women wearing men's clothing were either on the run from someone, trying to hide or were maybe pirates or something. It would be interesting to know the story behind them.
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January
Jan 15, 2006 20:31:53 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 15, 2006 20:31:53 GMT 10
January 15
January 15 1973, Neil M Gunn, author of "The Silver Darlings" and many other books and short stories, died. Gunn keenly identified with MacDiarmid's attempts at a Scots literary renaissance and was involved with the new Scottish National Party in the 1930s.
Today in 1990 Strathclyde Region Council applied for 250,000 summary warrants against rate payers refusing to pay "Poll Tax". The tax was introduced in Scotland in April 1989 but was withdrawn soon after its introduction in England and Wales and subsequent nationwide opposition.
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January
Jan 15, 2006 20:38:35 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 15, 2006 20:38:35 GMT 10
January 16
Today in 1707 the Treaty of Union of Scottish and Westminster Parliaments was ratified. The treaty was passed in the Scottish Parliament by 110 votes to 67, although it was less than popular in the country. Crowds in the streets outside the building burnt copies of the treaty, and some threw stones at the Parliament windows. Meanwhile, in Glasgow, a mob opposed to the treaty held sway in the city for over a month.
Today in 1746 a retreating Jacobite army defeated Hanoverian forces at the Battle of Falkirk. The Jacobite army, led by Lord George Murray, defeated Government forces under General Hawley. This was the last Jacobite victory. Hawley blamed his troops for the defeat and executed about 60 men for cowardice.
January 16 1945 52nd Highland Light Infantry and 1st Commando Brigade cross from Holland into Germany and assault Heinsberg.
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January
Jan 15, 2006 20:42:54 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 15, 2006 20:42:54 GMT 10
January 17
January 17 1761 marks the birth of Sir James Hall, the Scottish geologist. He is known as the "father of experimental geology" due to his laboratory experiments, designed to show how the rocks on the Earth's surface were formed by intense heat from the planet's core.
Today in 1795 Duddingston Curling Society became the first curling club in the world to be formally organised. Membership of the club cost three guineas and it soon attracted the country's top curlers. Members who did not wear the club's badge while on the ice were subject to a fine. The club laid out the rules of the sport in 1803 including fines for 'uttering oaths and introducing a political subject into conversation'.
January 17 1883 Author Compton Mackenzie (Whisky Galore etc) born.
January 17 1926 Moira Shearer, ballet dancer and film star, born Dunfermline
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January
Jan 17, 2006 19:55:17 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 17, 2006 19:55:17 GMT 10
January 18
18 January 1782 marks the death of Sir John Pringle, President of the Royal Society, 1772-1778, and physician to King George III. A sanitary pioneer, he is sometimes called the "father of modern military medicine". In his 1752 paper, 'Observations on Diseases of the Army', he emphasised the need to adopt a clean medical environment for the treatment of wounded soldiers. The work is now regarded as a medical classic. His 1753 paper to the Society on septic and antiseptic substances also proved to be a pioneering work. Pringle also coined the term, 'influenza'. Today in 1976 witnessed the launch of the Scottish Labour Party. The inaugural meeting of the breakaway party was held in Glasgow. It was formed as a result of the dissatisfaction several Labour MPs felt with their party over its stance on devolution for Scotland.
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January
Jan 19, 2006 7:26:13 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 19, 2006 7:26:13 GMT 10
January 19
Today in 1644 a Scottish army under command of the Earl of Leven crossed the river Tweed into England. It remained in England for three years, playing an important part in the Civil War fighting for the Parliamentarians. The Scots fought at the Battle of Marston Moor and were heavily involved in the siege of Newark,
Today in 1736 marks the birth of James Watt, mathematical instrument maker. Watt developed the steam engine, invented the condensor and the copying machine. His condensor made steam power the driving force of the nineteenth century and he is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the Industrial Revolution.
December 19 1904 The "Scotsman" newspaper moves to new offices at North Bridge in Edinburgh, remaining there until 1999
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January
Jan 19, 2006 7:33:49 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 19, 2006 7:33:49 GMT 10
Jnauary 20
December 20 1560
First General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Today in 1805 the chemist Thomas Graham, was born. Graham is famous for discovering the diffusion rate of gasses, which is known as 'Graham's Law'. He is also called the "father of colloid chemistry", and was the author of 'Elements of Chemistry'. Today in 1937 the Scottish boxer, Benny Lynch, was crowned world flyweight champion. Recognised as probably the greatest boxer Scotland has produced, Lynch enjoyed a meteroic rise to the top of the sport. However, his fall from grace was equally spectacular. He retired after numerous problems with weight, and the rest of his life was blighted by alcoholism which eventually caused his death in 1946.
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January
Jan 21, 2006 7:21:37 GMT 10
Post by LLady on Jan 21, 2006 7:21:37 GMT 10
January 21
Today in 1613 the cleric George Gillespie was born. A leader of the Church of Scotland, Gillespie negotiated with the Church of England for the freedom of the Scottish Church to diverge from Anglican doctrine and worship. Gillespie died in December 1648.
On January 21 1290 Sweetheart Abbey, near Dumfries, was founded by Devorguilla, mother of John Balliol. The abbey was founded in memory of her husband, whose heart was buried with her at Sweetheart Abbey. She also established friaries at Dundee, Dumfries and Wigtown, and endowed a school for the poor in Oxford, which later became Balliol College.
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