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Life on Mars?
Nearly a hundred years ago, the world's first interplanetary telegram was sent. It started its journey in the City of London when a Dr Hugh Mansfield Robinson asked for a three word message to be transmitted... to Mars! No-one knew what the three words meant, but a job's a job, and the Central Telegraph Office on St Martin's Le Grand saw to it that Robinson's message was sent on its way.
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London's Newest Ceremony: Oiling the Gates at Temple Bar
The Oiling the Gates Ceremony at Temple Bar in the City of London is the Square Mile's newest 'ancient tradition'. With a degree of pomp and circumstance worthy of the State Opening of Parliament this lovely little ceremony is a worthy addition to the City's calendar of quirky events.
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"Dear Boss" - letter from a killer?
At the height of the murders of women in the East End of London in 1888 a letter arrived at a press outlet in the City of London purporting to be from the killer. Boasting of his crimes and the police's inability to catch him the author signed off the letter as Jack the Ripper.
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Matches, strikes, and women’s rights?
Step into the gritty streets of Victorian London and uncover the story behind one of the most important early victories for workers’ and women’s rights. This article explores the Match Girls’ Strike of 1888, when young women in the East End walked out of dangerous, exploitative factory conditions and forced real change. It reveals how their courage not only improved their own lives but helped spark a wider movement for fair pay, safer working conditions, and the rise of organised labour.
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Smashing the silk ceiling: Anna Maria Garthwaite
Step into the vibrant world of 18th-century Spitalfields and discover the remarkable story of Anna Maria Garthwaite, the woman who helped define Britain’s silk industry. In a trade dominated by men, her intricate designs dressed the elite of London and beyond, earning her a reputation as one of the finest textile artists of her time. Read on to uncover how she built a lasting legacy in one of the City’s most competitive and creative industries.
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