200 Years of the Guardian

Today in History: 11 March 1864

The Great Sheffield Flood

On this day in 1864, the Dale Dyke Dam ruptured and Sheffield in England was hit by a flood that killed some 270 people. As the dam was being filled following its construction, the dam gave way and a massive volume of water swept down the Loxley Valley and smashed into several towns. Some 800 houses were also destroyed in the disaster.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Sheffield_Flood

Also, newspaper articles at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mossvalley/mv2/sheffield-flood.html

Photos at:
http://mick-armitage.staff.shef.ac.uk/sheffield/photogal/picindex.html

Today in History: 05 March 1770

USA: War of Independence – Boston Massacre

On this day in 1770, the Boston Massacre took place and became an important incident in the lead up to the American War of Independence. The massacre was really something of a ‘beat up,’ with five men being killed when British troops fired into a crowd that was harassing them and throwing objects at them.

Also of major interest in this incident, was the court case in the trial of the British troops, as  John Adams (second president of the USA) defended the British troops in their trial.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre

Also, a newspaper report:
http://www.archive.org/details/bostonmassacre00good