On this day: the birth of Bernie Ecclestone Opinion On 28 October 1930, Bernie Ecclestone, the man who would create modern Formula 1 was born, writes Eliot Wilson It is now reckoned that only four people remain alive who participated in a Formula 1 World Championship weekend before 1960. Formula 1 was in transition: rear-engined cars were beginning to dominate the category and so [...]
On this day in 1980: The birth of Kim Kardashian Opinion On this day, 21 October 1980, Kim Kardashian was born. Eliot Wilson traces the rise of the new form of celebrity she forged.
On this day: Germany introduces the Rentenmark to curb hyperinflation Opinion On this day, 15 October 1923, Germany introduced the Rentenmark to curb hyperinflation, and it worked. Eliot Wilson tells us more.
On this day in 1966: David Cameron is born October 9, 2026 As David Cameron turns 60, Eliot Wilson takes a look back at the life so far of the "chillaxed" Prime Minister.
On this day: Concorde first breaks the sound barrier October 1, 2026 On this day, the 1st October, in 1969, Concorde first showed off its real party trick - breaking the sound barrier, writes Eliot Wilson.
On This Day: Scotland says “nae thanks” to independence September 18, 2026 On 18th September 2014, Scotland voted against 55 per cent to 45 per cent against independence in a referendum that was supposed to settle the question for a generation, writes Eliot Wilson It is firmly within my lifetime that the idea of Scottish independence was a harmlessly quirky cause on the fringes of politics. After [...]
On this day: ‘I can hear you… and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon’ September 11, 2026 On this day, 25 years ago, the world changed forever. Eliot Wilson takes us through the tragic events that happened on 9/11.
On this day: Animal Farm is published August 17, 2026 On this day, 17 August, in 1945, with pro-Soviet sentiment rapidly fading in the UK, George Orwell's Animal Farm is finally published.
On This Day : Reagan declares: “We begin bombing in five minutes” August 11, 2026 On this day in 1984, a lighthearted quip from Ronald Reagan nearly sparked World War Three, writes Eliot Wilson Ronald Reagan was an old pro. By the summer of 1984, it was more than 50 years since he had made his radio debut as a sports broadcaster for WOC in Davenport, Iowa, commentating on baseball [...]
On this day: ‘We begin bombing in five minutes’ – Reagan’s accidental broadcast August 11, 2026 On this day, 11 August 1984, a risqué joke from Ronald Reagan accidentally made his weekly radio broadcast, writes Eliot Wilson.