Events in Britain, celebrations, commemorations and traditions – the things that help define Britain and British society.
The end of the Second World War, history’s most globally shattering event so far, came suddenly, and violently. On 6 August 1945, at 0815am, the first atomic bomb ever to be used in warfare was dropped by the USA on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. One bomb. Approximately 70,000 people died immediately. Three days later, […]
A bit about VJ Day Read More »
British Stuff Events History
I have been contemplating Christmas; it must be the time of year. I normally look forward to the season, finding some joy and hope in it. Consequently, there are several festive-themed articles on A Bit About Britain and, because they are what I like to refer to as ‘evergreen content’, people look at them every
Happy Christmas, 2024 Read More »
Events
I don’t get too many invitations these days. So, when one pops onto the digital doormat it receives serious attention. The invitation in this instance was to the Chalke History Festival and it came from a nice bunch of folk collectively known as ‘Guidl’. Guidl is a new venture and was a sponsor of the
We did. A few other people came along too. Actually, we didn’t only go to London; we went to Slough. And Windsor. And London again. As the Coronation of Charles III was a moment in time, it seems appropriate to share a few inadequate photographs of this experience with you, dear reader, as well as
We went to London for the Coronation Read More »
British Stuff Events London South East
The coronation of their Majesties The King and his Queen Consort on 6 May 2023 provides a wonderful opportunity to take a look at the institution of monarchy. Of course, the United Kingdom has had a brand new squeaky-clean monarch since 8 September 2022, when the late Queen died. That is the way with the
“The ten best things about Christmas” is entirely subjective; everyone has their own, unique, perception of an event. Even if you took a poll, the results would depend on who and how many participated and, anyway, ‘best’ is not something that can be determined by a majority vote. All that said, it is a good
The ten best things about Christmas Read More »
British Stuff Events
The UK census is a decennial occurrence, held since 1801, with some regional or national variations and the exception of 1941 (when we had other things on our minds). Therefore, 2021 is a census year – at least, it is in England and Wales; Scotland has delayed its census until 2022 “due to the impact
Ghost stories have long been popular at Christmas, and Victorians loved them. In that tradition, and by way of a change from researching a factual article, I thought I would have a go at writing a spectral anecdote. So, in the unlikely event that you have a spare five minutes, and with a degree of
A Christmas ghost story Read More »
Events
VE Day, Victory in Europe Day, is celebrated on 8 May as the day the Second World War came to an end in Europe in 1945. Writing 75 years on in 2020, most people had no memory of the event, many had limited understanding of it and some hadn’t even heard of it. On the
What is VE Day and is it relevant? Read More »
British Stuff Events History
“I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.” And so Charles Dickens modestly introduces us
A Christmas Carol – a ghost story of Christmas Read More »
British Stuff Events
A guest post by Anne Clare The United States’ celebration of Thanksgiving might seem, at first glance, like a surprising choice for a blog dedicated to Britain. After all, modern U.S. celebrations largely focus on eating turkey (a bird native to the New World), watching football (the American variety, naturally), and gearing up for Christmas
Pilgrims, Pie, and Plymouth Rock: the British roots of the USA’s Thanksgiving Day Read More »
British Stuff Events History
What is Valentine’s Day all about? When you are old and grey, and full of sleep, shall I compare thee to a summer’s day; or do you walk in beauty, like the night, down by the Sally Garden? Shall I count the ways I loved you, will they stop the clocks, cut off the telephone,
