Historical Event of March 17: Marked by significant occurrences in the past, including St. Patrick's Day, the anniversary of the Boston Massacre, and the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
Going Back Through Time: March 17
Let's dive into some historical happenings on the seventeenth of March!
- Harold Harefoot is No MoreHal, King of England, kicked the bucket at Oxford. His final resting place was none other than Westminster Abbey for a while, but Harthacanute, the successor guy, ordered his body to be dug up and tossed into a marshes. Spooky, right?
- Closing the Gate to PurgatoryPope Alexander VI gave an order to seal a cave in Lough Derg, Donegal, back in 1497. Some folks believed it to be St Patrick's Purgatory entrance. Not exactly a jam-packed tourist attraction, but still, it was a thing!
- The Dawn of Family Planning1921 marked the opening of Britain's initial family planning clinic, the Mothers' Clinic, situated in Holloway, north London. In 1925, the clinic shifted to Whitfield Street embracing the heart of London, where it stands today, offering support to parents-to-be for all their planning needs.
- Is Paper Really That Valuable?In 1942, Conservative MP Colonel William Carver playfully asked the Home Secretary, "In view of the shortage of paper in the country, should the throwing of confetti at weddings be prohibited?" Now that's what we call a creative solution!
- History in the MakingOn March 17, 1948, the Treaty of Brussels was signed, taking the first steps towards European co-operation. This treaty laid the groundwork for the Western European Union and dear old NATO, ensuring post-WWII peace and prosperity.
- China's Grip on TibetThe Tibetan Dalai Lama and his supporters fled the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959, escaping the strongholds of Chinese rule. Fifteen days later, they successfully reached India.
- A New London BridgeQueen Elizabeth II unveiled the new London Bridge in 1973. This gorgeous pre-stressed concrete box girder was designed by the legendary architect Lord Holford and the mastermind engineers Mott, Hay and Anderson. Construction began way back in 1967.
On the political front, the signing of the Treaty of Brussels on March 17, 1948, marked a significant step towards European cooperation, paving the way for the Western European Union and NATO. In the realm of general news, the Mothers' Clinic, Britain's first family planning clinic, opened its doors on March 17, 1921, marking a change in family planning practices.
