Which event does this 1940 photograph show?

German bombers begin 57 consecutive nights of raids on a capital city (1940). The Luftwaffe switched from attacking airfields to bombing London, beginning the Blitz. Around 43,000 civilians were killed across Britain, but the change of target gave the RAF the breathing space it needed.

Which event does this 1533 photograph show?

A future queen is born, to her father's open disappointment (1533). Elizabeth was born at Greenwich to Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII had been so certain of a son that the birth announcements had to have an extra 's' squeezed in. She would rule for 44 years.

Which event does this 1822 photograph show?

A prince declares independence rather than return to Europe (1822). Ordered home by Lisbon, Pedro instead declared Brazilian independence beside the Ipiranga brook, reportedly shouting 'independence or death'. He was crowned emperor three months later.

Which event does this 1776 photograph show?

Bushnell's Turtle makes the first submarine attack in history (1776). Sergeant Ezra Lee piloted Bushnell's one man submersible under HMS Eagle in New York harbour, trying to attach a explosive charge to her hull. He failed to drill through the sheathing and withdrew.

Which event does this 1936 photograph show?

The last known thylacine dies in a zoo enclosure (1936). The thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, was a striped marsupial predator driven to extinction by hunting under a government bounty. The last known individual died at Hobart Zoo on 7 September 1936, reportedly shut out of its shelter overnight in freezing weather. Australia now marks the date as National Threatened Species Day. Sightings are still reported. None have ever been confirmed.

What happened on September 7? the Blitz begins, Elizabeth I born and 3 more

What happened on September 7

All 5 specimens from this file, spanning 1533 to 1940, with the story behind each photograph.

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Conflict · 1940

German bombers begin 57 consecutive nights of raids on a capital city

The Luftwaffe switched from attacking airfields to bombing London, beginning the Blitz. Around 43,000 civilians were killed across Britain, but the change of target gave the RAF the breathing space it needed.
History · 1533

A future queen is born, to her father's open disappointment

Elizabeth was born at Greenwich to Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII had been so certain of a son that the birth announcements had to have an extra 's' squeezed in. She would rule for 44 years.
History · 1822

A prince declares independence rather than return to Europe

Ordered home by Lisbon, Pedro instead declared Brazilian independence beside the Ipiranga brook, reportedly shouting 'independence or death'. He was crowned emperor three months later.
Technology · 1776

Bushnell's Turtle makes the first submarine attack in history

Sergeant Ezra Lee piloted Bushnell's one man submersible under HMS Eagle in New York harbour, trying to attach a explosive charge to her hull. He failed to drill through the sheathing and withdrew.
Nature · 1936

The last known thylacine dies in a zoo enclosure

The thylacine, or Tasmanian tiger, was a striped marsupial predator driven to extinction by hunting under a government bounty. The last known individual died at Hobart Zoo on 7 September 1936, reportedly shut out of its shelter overnight in freezing weather. Australia now marks the date as National Threatened Species Day. Sightings are still reported. None have ever been confirmed.