Today in History: 27 March 1886

Apache Warrior Geronimo Surrenders

ABOVE: GERONIMO

 

On this day in 1886, the Apache Wars draw to a conclusion with the surrender of Geronimo in the United States. According to Geronimo, the terms of his surrender were not met, which if true, was yet another example of the lack of honour of generations of Americans when dealing with native Indians. In his latter years, Geronimo regretted his surrender and was never allowed to return to his homeland.

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

Book:
Geronimo’s Story of His Life, by Geronimo & S. M. Barrett

Today in History: 26 February 1815

France: Napoleon Escapes from Elba

On this day in 1815, Napoleon escaped from his exile on the island of Elba and began his return to France. His return to France and his time as the renewed Emperor of France ended with the Battle of Waterloo on the 18th June 1815. Napoleon was eventually exiled to the island of Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean, where he died in February 1821.

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

Today in History – Posts to Return this Weekend

Just a quick note to explain the absence of posts of late. I have been having some Internet issues. I am pleased to be able to report that normal service will resume on Saturday (Australian time) – for daily posts on history I mean. Looking forward to the return.
 

 

Today in History – 23 April 1661

England: Charles II Crowned in Westminster Abbey

Following the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658, political events led eventually to the restoration of the English monarchy and the ascension of Charles II to the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland. His father, Charles I, was executed by Oliver Cromwell at Whitehall on the 30th January 1649 towards the end of the English Civil War and Charles fled the country. With the death of Cromwell and the collapse of the English Commonwealth, Charles was invited to return to England and did so with great public fanfare on the 29th May 1660. He was crowned in Westminster Abbey on the 23rd April 1661.

For more on Charles II, visit:
Charles II

 

Today in History – 20 April 1770

Captain James Cook: Off the East Coast of New Holland

Captain James Cook had already made a name for himself in Canada with the Royal Navy during the Seven Years’ War prior to his first voyage of discovery. In 1766, the Royal Society hired Captain Cook to travel to the Pacific Ocean in order to observe and record the passing of Venus across the sun in Tahiti. It was on his return journey to England, having completed his primary mission and having mapped New Zealand by circumnavigation, that he and his crew decided to return via the east coast of New Holland.

The Endeavour reached the south-east coast of Australia on the 19th April 1770. On the 20th April Cook was off the east coast of what is now known as New South Wales. By doing so, he became the first European to discover and observe the east coast of New Holland (Australia). On the 23rd April 1770 he made his first observations of Australian Aborigines. On the 29th April Captain Cook made his famous landing at Botany Bay, which he named after the unique plant specimens found there by botanists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander.