Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 2h

During the Middle Ages Queenhithe Dock in the City of London was an important landing place for boats. It was probably in use during Roman times but was named in the 12thC after Queen Matilda, wife of Henry I, who was granted duties from goods unloaded there.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 1d

Hammersmith Bridge was opened today in 1827. It was the first suspension bridge in the London area, something quite new at that time. Read here about the original Hammersmith Bridge. www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-original...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 2d

Many churches in the City of London were rebuilt to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren following the Great Fire of 1666. The last of Wren's designs was St. Andrew by the Wardbobe at Blackfriars. It was again destroyed in the Blitz, but has since been splendidly rebuilt.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 3d

This is the southern entrance to the foot tunnel between Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs. It was opened in 1902 by the London County Council for dockers to get to work from their home, replacing an unreliable ferry service.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 4d

King Harold and his Saxon army rested in London today in 1066 before marching south for defeat at the Battle of Hastings. Read here about the Norman Conquest www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-norman-c...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 4d

Thanks to all the speakers and everyone who came along to the Thames & Docklands History Group 'London's Port and Docklands Since 1945' conference at the London Museum Docklands today. It was brilliant. If you want to know more about the TDHG click here www.tdhg.org.uk

Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 5d

This mural in Cable Street, Shadwell commemorates the battle that took place today in 1936 when anti-fascist protesters prevented Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts from marching through the East End.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 6d

When builder William Willett was riding his horse here in Petts Wood in south-east London on a summer morning in 1905 he noticed how local people were still not up and about. It gave him the idea of changing the clocks to create British Summer Time.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 7d

The 'Great Stink' of 1858, when MPs could no longer work in Parliament due to the stench from the Thames, finally spurred action to clean up the polluted river. Read here about the creation of the Victorian sewer system, still in operation today www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-great-st...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 8d

In 1963 Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham locked Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in a room in their shared flat here at Mapesbury Road in Kilburn, refusing to let them out until they had written their first original song.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 9d

The Festival of Britain closed today in 1951. It was the big event in London that year, intended as 'a tonic for the nation' that had suffered years of war and rationing. Read about the Festival of Britain here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-festival...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 10d

The New River was opened today in 1613, bringing fresh water to London from Hertfordshire; and after 400 years it continues to do so. Read the history of the New River here www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-new-rive...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 11d

Less than a week to go until ‘The Port of London and Docklands Since 1945’ conference, but still time to book your ticket.
Saturday 4th October, 9.30am until 2.30pm
London Museum Docklands, West India Quay, London E14 4AL.
Full details can be found here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/londons-po...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 12d

Did you know there are still around 1,300 working gas lamps in London? An increasing number are historically-listed structures, with some lamp-posts now 200 years old. Discover the history of London’s gas lamps and where you can find them in my new video youtu.be/rq5VWPT0GF8

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 13d

During the 19thC Hyde Park and Kensington Palace gardens were unified into one public park. It has been used for major events, including protests, horse-riding, and large music concerts. Read here about what has been described as 'the lungs of London' www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/hyde-park-th...

Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 14d

Michael Bond is most famous for his Paddington Bear books, first published in 1958 while workng as a BBC camerman. He lived at Little Venice near Paddington and his wish was to be buried in Paddington Old Cemetery. His gravestone states "Please look after this bear. Thank you".

Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 15d

In the late 18th century a group of evangelists decided to 'improve' Britain and beyond. They became known as 'the Clapham Sect'. Their greatest achievement was to lead the campaign to end the slave trade in the British Empire. Read about them here: www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-clapham-...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 16d

In 1614 Pocahontas of the American Powhatan tribe married English colonist John Rolfe. They travelled to England and stayed for a few months. When returning to Virginia she died on board as the ship reached Gravesend and was buried in the churchyard of St. George's church.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 17d

The second Kew Bridge was opened by King George III today in 1789. Read here about the first and second bridges at Kew www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/the-first-an...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 18d

The Regent’s Canal was created in the early 19th century to link London with the industrial Midlands. It is now one of London’s gems. Discover the canal’s history in my video here: youtu.be/0zjcrCB8MeE (46 minutes).

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 19d

It was on this day in 1777 that Dr. Samuel Johnson said "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life". www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/dr-samuel-jo... Read here about the life of Samuel Johnson.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 20d

Henry FitzAilwin, the very first Mayor of London, remained in office until his death, today in 1212. Read about here about London's earliest mayor www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/henry-fitzai...

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 20d

The countdown is on to the Thames & Docklands History Group conference!
London’s Port and Docklands Since 1945
4th October 2025
London Museum Docklands, West India Quay, London E14 4AL
Click here for details and booking.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/londons-po...?

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 21d

Tredegar Square at Mile End was laid out on farmland in the 1820s and named after landowner Viscount Tredegar's ancestral home near Newport in Wales. The central square was private until 1931 when it was opened as a public park.

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Peter Stone @londonstone.bsky.social · 22d

The completed London & Birmingham railway opened today in 1838, with its London terminus at Euston. Read here about London's first long-distance railway www.thehistoryoflondon.co.uk/londons-earl...

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