28 JUN 1838
THE CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA
Following the death of William IV, the 18-year-old Victoria ascends to the throne and is crowned a year later. Despite Victoria describing the event as the ‘proudest moment of my life’ numerous mistakes occur, including the coronation ring being jammed painfully onto the wrong finger.
1851
THE GREAT EXHIBITION
Following a number of smaller exhibitions, Prince Albert, Henry Cole and others stage a vast exhibition dedicated to manufacturing and design from across the world. Some six million people visited the exhibition and it raised a staggering £186,000.
1 AUG 1838
SLAVERY IS ABOLISHED
In 1834 the Slavery Abolition Act came into effect, freeing 750,000 slaves in the British West Indies. But many of the freed slaves found themselves working as apprentices in a system that saw slavery continue under a different name. On 1 August 1838 this system was abolished.
1845
IRISH POTATO FAMINE BEGINS
A disease affecting potato crops sweeps across Ireland, resulting in a deadly famine. Despite this, exports to Britain continue while the Irish population suffers. By the famine’s end in 1852, roughly one million had died of starvation.
VICTORIANS
22 JAN 1901
QUEEN VICTORIA DIES
At the age of 81, the then-longest serving British monarch passed away of a stroke. In her final moments she requested that her Pomeranian pet dog, Turi, be brought to her and was said to have whispered “Bertie” – her name for Prince Albert.
10 JAN 1863
LONDON UNDERGROUND OPENS
In order to ease congestion on London’s streets, several companies begin the development of an underground rail system. The Metropolitan Railway opens the first, running from Paddington to Farringdon. Over the years the tube system continues to develop, becoming an integral part of London public transport and iconography.
9 NOV 1888
THE MURDER OF MARY JANE KELLY
The murder of Mary Jane Kelly represents the last victim of the notorious London serial killer, Jack the Ripper, following the murders of Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, and Catherine Eddowes. The infamous murderer held Whitechapel in the grip of terror, but his identity was never discovered.
