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Thirty years ago, on 22nd September 1991, photographs and transcripts of the Dead Sea Scrolls were made available to scholars generally for the first time. The Scrolls – ancient, mostly Hebrew or Aramaic manuscripts of leather, papyrus, and copper – were first found in 1947 near the shore of the Dead Sea. They come from...

Dante Alighieri, the Italian ‘supreme poet’, died 700 years ago, on 13th September 1321. Regarded as the most important poet of the Middle Ages, he is best known for his Divine Comedy, widely considered the greatest literary work in Italian and an influence on such English writers as Chaucer, Milton and Tennyson. Born in Florence...

All in the month of AUGUST Remembering Sir Walter Scott Climbing Ben Nevis The Great Flood of China The Great Calcutta Killing The secret of happiness? What do you consider to be ‘beautiful countryside’?  ** Editor:  We continue our column that looks at memorable dates in the month (this time, AUGUST) down the years. Here...

It was: 250 years ago, on 15th August 1771, that Sir Walter Scott, Scottish historical novelist, poet, and playwright was born. His best-known works include Ivanhoe and Rob Roy. Also 250 years ago, on 7th August 1771, that the first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis was made. Scottish botanist James Robertson ascended Ben Nevis, the...

Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish historical novelist, poet and playwright, was born 250 years ago, on 15th August 1771. His best-known works include Ivanhoe and Rob Roy. Often considered to be both the inventor and the greatest writer of historical novels, he was inspired by a stay with his grandparents in the Scottish borders during...

The first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis was made 250 years ago, on 7th August 1771, by Scottish botanist and artist James Robertson. At 1345 metres (4411 ft), it is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Some 100,000 people now make the climb each year. Robertson wrote: “A third part of the hill from...

Just 90 years ago, on 19th August 1931, the Yangtze River and Huai River floods peaked in China. It was one of the worst natural disasters of the 20th century: up to four million people died, and the floods lasted from July to November. The inundation followed a two-year drought and a particularly harsh winter...

Seventy-five years ago, on 16th August 1946, the Great Calcutta Killing took place in Kolkata, India. Muslim and Hindu mobs rioted across the city following the Muslim League’s demand for the creation of Pakistan. More than 4,000 people were killed and 100,000 left homeless. The riot sparked further religious violence in other provinces, leading to the...

Scientists have been trying to work out a ‘formula’ for happiness.  The result is incomprehensible to most of us, beginning as it does with Happiness (t)=w0=w1, running on for three lines, and then ending with jRPEj…… But, in plain English, the neuroscientists at University College London (UCL) have concluded that happiness depends not so much...

According to Natural England, thorny scrubs and floodplains should be seen as more beautiful than manicured fields. Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, which is the government’s adviser for the natural environment, has said a ‘cultural revolution’ is necessary to help people appreciate the beauty of a messy countryside. He strongly supports the increasing popularity...

All in the month of JULY 100 years of the Chinese Communists Bombing of the King David Hotel, Jerusalem Remembering Princess Diana A tribute to Dolly the Sheep Twitter marks its 15th birthday How climate change could affect your cup of tea Ivy on your house is not really so bad after all ** Editor: ...

It was: 100 years ago, on 1st July 1921 that the Chinese Communist Party was founded. Also 100 years ago, on 10th July 1921 that Belfast’s Bloody Sunday took place.  Protestant loyalists attacked Catholic enclaves and set fire to homes and businesses, sparking rioting and gun battles. At least 17 people were killed and more...