On This Day in History
The latest news, updates and opinions on On This Day in History from the expert team here at MoneyWeek
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2 February 1709: Alexander Selkirk is rescued
Features After four years and four months marooned on a desert island, Alexander Selkirk – the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe – was rescued on this day in 1709.
By Chris Carter Last updated
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2 February 1901: Queen Victoria’s funeral procession
Features Britain mourned the death of Queen Victoria by holding a grand state funeral for Britain's then longest-reigning monarch, on this day in 1901.
By Chris Carter Last updated
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1 February 1884: the first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary is published
Features On this day in 1884, after five years of hard slog, the first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary was published. It contained all the words from A to Ant.
By Ben Judge Last updated
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30 January 1933: Adolf Hitler takes power
Features Adolf Hitler came to power on this day in 1933 following a political gamble that went disastrously wrong.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Last updated
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29 January 1886: Karl and Bertha Benz patent the motor car
Features On this day in 1886 Karl Benz, along with his wife Bertha, patented their Benz Patent-Motorwagen, with a new and revolutionary power source – the internal combustion engine.
By MoneyWeek Last updated
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28 January 1958: the Lego brick is patented
Features Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, the son of the Danish founder of Lego, patents the famous eight-stud Lego brick, on this day in 1958.
By Chris Carter Last updated
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27 January 1606: the trial of Guy Fawkes begins
Features On this day in 1606, the trial of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators began, accused of high treason by trying to blow up the king and parliament.
By Ben Judge Last updated
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25 January 1947: the world’s first video game is patented
Features On this day in 1947, Thomas T Goldsmith and Estle Ray Mann submitted a patent application for their “Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device” – the world's first video game.
By Ben Judge Last updated
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23 January 1967: Milton Keynes founded
Features The most famous of Britain's garden cities, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, was founded on this day in 1967.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Last updated
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