ON THIS DAY
1850:
Sir Thomas Lipton, founder of Lipton’s grocery chain, who went from errand boy to millionaire by the age of 30, was born in Glasgow.
1857:
The Sepoy Rebellion broke out in Meerut, triggering the Indian
Mutiny against British rule.
1869:
The first US transcontinental railroad was completed when the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways were joined.
1940:
Neville Chamberlain resigned as prime minister and Winston Churchill formed a coalition wartime government, saying: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
1941: 1941:
The worst night of the London Blitz when the Houses of Parliament were damaged.
Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, parachuted into Scotland in an effort to negotiate a peace settlement, but was arrested and imprisoned for the remainder of the war.