AUTHOR
Chris Carter
Chris Carter is the wealth editor at MoneyWeek. He graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2005 before gaining an MA in English from the University of York, where he specialised in Renaissance literature. Chris joined MoneyWeek in 2011.
He writes on entrepreneurs, travel, collecting, auctions and alternative investments.
Follow Chris on Twitter: @Kit_Carter
20 January 1841: Britain takes possession of Hong Kong
This day in history
20 January 1841: Britain takes possession of Hong Kong
On this day in 1841, Hong Kong island was ceded to Britain following the Chuenpi Convention, along with a resumption of the opium trade.
20 Jan 2021
A way round Covid-19 travel restrictions
Travel and holidays
A way round Covid-19 travel restrictions
Assuming travel to your intended destination is allowed at all, why not just rent the whole hotel? Chris Carter reports.
15 Jan 2021
14 January 2002: Britain’s foot-and-mouth disease epidemic ends
This day in history
14 January 2002: Britain’s foot-and-mouth disease epidemic ends
The government finally declared Britain’s foot-and-mouth disease crisis over on this day in 2002, almost a year after the first case had been identifi…
14 Jan 2021
13 January 1908: Henri Farman wins the Deutsch-Archdeacon Prize
This day in history
13 January 1908: Henri Farman wins the Deutsch-Archdeacon Prize
On this day in 1908, Anglo-French flyer Henri Farman scooped the 50,000 franc Deutsch-Archdeacon Prize after the Wright Brothers refused to compete.
13 Jan 2021
12 January 1948: Britain’s first supermarket opens
This day in history
12 January 1948: Britain’s first supermarket opens
The self-service supermarket came to Britain on this day in 1948, when the London Co-operative Society opened a store in Manor Park.
12 Jan 2021
11 January 1569: England holds its first lottery draw
This day in history
11 January 1569: England holds its first lottery draw
Outside Old St Paul's Cathedral in London, England's first lottery draw got underway on this day in 1569.
11 Jan 2021
9 January 1799: income tax introduced to Britain
This day in history
9 January 1799: income tax introduced to Britain
In the 1790s, with Britain at war with Napoleon, the country urgently needed cash. And so on this day in 1799, a 10% levy was raised on all income ove…
9 Jan 2021
Collectors mean a new lease of life for classic motorbikes
Alternative investments
Collectors mean a new lease of life for classic motorbikes
Spanner twirlers in need of a project could do worse than buy a classic motorbike, says Chris Carter
8 Jan 2021
Five stylish English spa hotels
Travel and holidays
Five stylish English spa hotels
Chris Carter reports on five of the best English spa hotels for you to revitalise your body, mind and soul when the lockdowns end.
8 Jan 2021
6 January 1639: Virginia orders the destruction of its tobacco crop
This day in history
6 January 1639: Virginia orders the destruction of its tobacco crop
Faced with the plunging price of tobacco, the colonists of Virginia directed that half of the crop should be destroyed to avoid an economic catastroph…
6 Jan 2021
6 January 1873: Crédit Mobilier of America scandal investigated
This day in history
6 January 1873: Crédit Mobilier of America scandal investigated
On this day in 1873, the US House of Representatives launched an investigation into the scandal surrounding the building of the Union Pacific Railroad…
6 Jan 2021
5 January 1766: Christie’s first auction
This day in history
5 January 1766: Christie’s first auction
Venerable auction house Christie's began business on this day in 1766 selling pillow cases, bed-sheets and second-hand chamber pots.
5 Jan 2021
4 January 1698: the Palace of Whitehall is destroyed by fire
This day in history
4 January 1698: the Palace of Whitehall is destroyed by fire
On this day in 1698, a basket of linen caught fire burning to the ground one of Europe's most complex and beautiful royal residences – the Palace of W…
4 Jan 2021
The art market managed to tough it out in 2020
Alternative investments
The art market managed to tough it out in 2020
It’s been a difficult year, but the art market has held up surprisingly well, says Chris Carter
24 Dec 2020
Four offbeat hotels in Scandinavia
Travel and holidays
Four offbeat hotels in Scandinavia
From a retreat made of ice in Sweden to a treehouse in Norway. Chris Carter reports
24 Dec 2020
23 December 1913: The US Federal Reserve is created
This day in history
23 December 1913: The US Federal Reserve is created
After much debate, Woodrow Wilson finally signed the bill that would create the US Federal Reserve on this day in 1913.
23 Dec 2020
23 December 1834: Joseph Hansom patents the Hansom cab
This day in history
23 December 1834: Joseph Hansom patents the Hansom cab
The 19th-century forerunner of the London black cab, architect Joseph Aloysius Hansom patented his Hansom cab on this day in 1834.
23 Dec 2020
21 December 1844: The Rochdale Pioneers open for business
This day in history
21 December 1844: The Rochdale Pioneers open for business
On this day in 1844, the Rochdale Pioneers opened a little shop on Toad Lane in Rochdale, Lancashire, which became a model for co-operatives around th…
21 Dec 2020
Three of the best places in England to see in the New Year
Travel and holidays
Three of the best places in England to see in the New Year
Wave farewell to a dispiriting year, and welcome in the New Year at these uplifting destinations in England.
18 Dec 2020
17 December 1900: The Guzman Prize is announced
This day in history
17 December 1900: The Guzman Prize is announced
On this day in 1900, Clara Guzman stumped up 100,000 francs prize money for the first person to communicate with and receive a response from another p…
17 Dec 2020
17 December 2003: the first powered flight of SpaceShipOne
This day in history
17 December 2003: the first powered flight of SpaceShipOne
The privately funded and built space plane, SpaceShipOne, witnessed its first powered flight on this day in 2003 – a crucial step towards winning the …
17 Dec 2020
Rare Botticelli auction excites the art market
Alternative investments
Rare Botticelli auction excites the art market
A rare portrait by Botticelli is to be put up for auction in New York. And the price could shatter the Old Master's previous record, says Chris Carter
11 Dec 2020
Five magical English Christmas getaways
Travel and holidays
Five magical English Christmas getaways
Big gatherings are out this Christmas, so why not tuck in at one of these festive retreats?
11 Dec 2020
10 December 1868: world's first traffic lights installed in Britain
This day in history
10 December 1868: world's first traffic lights installed in Britain
On this day in 1868, the world's first traffic lights – the Westminster Street Semaphore Signals – came to Britain. The experiment would end in traged…
10 Dec 2020
9 December 1960: Coronation Street is first broadcast
This day in history
9 December 1960: Coronation Street is first broadcast
The first episode of Coronation Street, the world's longest-running soap opera, was broadcast live on this day in 1960. But its was far from assured.
9 Dec 2020
Head for Hampton Court’s ice rink this Christmas
Travel and holidays
Head for Hampton Court’s ice rink this Christmas
Combine a pirouette in skates with a long winter walk, says Chris Carter.
4 Dec 2020
3 December 1984: BT is sold off in a gamble over privatisation
This day in history
3 December 1984: BT is sold off in a gamble over privatisation
In a landmark test of privatisation, the government sold off over half its stake in British Telecom, on this day in 1984.
3 Dec 2020
2 December 2001: Enron files for bankruptcy
This day in history
2 December 2001: Enron files for bankruptcy
US energy giant Enron became that country’s biggest corporate bankruptcy on this day in 2001, after America’s financial watchdog had uncovered huge fr…
2 Dec 2020
1 December 1942: the Beveridge Report proposes a welfare state for Britain
This day in history
1 December 1942: the Beveridge Report proposes a welfare state for Britain
With the Second World War still raging, the popular Beveridge Report was published on this day in 1942, proposing a welfare state be set up after the …
1 Dec 2020
Rare book collecting booms in lockdown
Alternative investments
Rare book collecting booms in lockdown
The trade in rare books has taken off during the pandemic, says Chris Carter.
27 Nov 2020
Coastal walks to invigorate and inspire
Travel and holidays
Coastal walks to invigorate and inspire
A walk by the sea hasn’t been banned yet, so take advantage while you can. Chris Carter reports.
27 Nov 2020
27 November 1924: Macy’s first Thanksgiving Day parade
This day in history
27 November 1924: Macy’s first Thanksgiving Day parade
On this day in 1924, New York department store Macy's held its first Thanksgiving Day parade. It would soon become a city institution, kicking off the…
27 Nov 2020
26 November 1992: The Queen volunteers to pay income tax
This day in history
26 November 1992: The Queen volunteers to pay income tax
With Britain in recession and Windsor Castle having recently caught fire, the Queen's request to pay income tax was accepted by Parliament, on this da…
26 Nov 2020
25 November 1947: The “Hollywood Ten” are blacklisted
This day in history
25 November 1947: The “Hollywood Ten” are blacklisted
Today in 1947 ten Hollywood luminaries were blacklisted and their careers ruined after refusing to answer the questions of the House Un-American Activ…
25 Nov 2020
Travel and the art of doing nothing
Travel and holidays
Travel and the art of doing nothing
Lockdown has made space in all our diaries for some daydreaming. Embrace it, says Chris Carter
20 Nov 2020
20 November 1980: The Lake Peigneur disaster
This day in history
20 November 1980: The Lake Peigneur disaster
On this day 34 years ago, blundering oilmen turned a ten-foot deep freshwater lake in Louisiana into a saltwater lake over a thousand feet deep.
20 Nov 2020