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Birth of Victoria continued
This event is significant because Queen Victoria's reign is the longest in British history. She ruled at the height of the British Empire, and her reign is known as the Victorian era. Source: (Tyle 432) and (Mercer 400) -
Birth Of Victoria
Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in London, England on May 24, 1819. She was the only daughter of Edward, Duke of Kent and Princess Victoria Mary Louisa of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Her full name was Alexandrina Victoria of Hanover. Victoria spoke only German until she was three years old, becasue her mother was German. Then she learnt how to speak English and French. -
Victoria's Father Died
Queen Victoria's father died on January 23, 1820, only 8 months after Victoria was born. Victoria becomes heir to the English throne. Her uncles George IV, Fredrick Duke of York and Wiliam IV had no surviving legitimate children. Victoria is raised by her mother and Louisa Lehzen who was her German governess. This event is significant because it later led to her becomming queen. She was only eighteen years old when she came to the throne. Source: (www.royal.gov.uk) -
Inherits the Throne
Victoria inherits the throne after the death of her Uncle William IV on June 20, 1837. The archbishop of Canterbury and the lord chamberlain, Marquis Conyngham came to Kensington Palace very early in the morning to tell her the news. Victoria is only 18 years old when and meets these two men by herself. She writes in her journal "Since it has pleased Providence to place me in this station, I shall do my utmost to fulfil my duty towards my country" -
Inherits the Throne continued
This event is significant because it is the beginning of the Victorian era and her successful reign as Queen. She would rule over 450 million people. Sources: (Blumberg 2307) and (Mercer 402) -
Coronation continued
She wrote in her journal that she would " ever remember this day as the proudest in my life." This event is significant because it was the start of her reign. Source: (thediamondjubilee.org) and (Mitchell 12) -
Coronation
The Coronation of Queen Victoria was a big public event, and took place on June 28, 1838. It was much more public than King William IV had wanted for her. She went from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in full state procession. The elaborate coronation ceremony lasted for the 5 hours. At the conclusion of the ceremony she traveled back to the palace and watched fireworks until midnight. -
Wedding continued
This event is significant because together they had a happy and successful marriage. They adored each other and had nine children together. Source: (Mercer 404) -
Wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
The wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert took place on January 10, 1840 in the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace. Victoria married her German cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha after a quick courtship. Victoria fell in love with Prince Albert after they first met on October 1st. She proposed and they were married after only a few months. They had 9 children together (4 boys and 5 girls). -
First Child is Born continued
Source: (Mercer 404-405) -
First Child Born
Victoria gave birth to her first child on November 21, 1840. It was a baby girl and she named her Victoria Adelaide Mary, Princess Royal. When the Queen was told she had had a baby girl, she said "never mind, the next will be a prince." This event is significant because Queen Victoria often complained in her journal about the struggles of motherhood. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert would have eight more children. Queen Victoria was right because a son and an heir would be born next. -
Irish Famine
The Irish Famine devastated Ireland during 1845-1850. The potato was the base food, but a horrific plague attacked the potato crop and left the potatoes black and inedible. The blight resulted in a disasterous famine that led to death and disease. More than one million people died from starvation and epidemic diseases, and approximately two million people emigrated during this time. -
Irish Famine continued
This event is significant because it reduced the Irish population by 20 percent. The Irish famine "was propotionally much more destructive of human life than the vast majority of famines in modern times." Source: (www.bbc.co.uk) and (Bartoletti 1, 8-11) and (Mitchell 5) -
Edison continued
The event is significant because Thomas Edison was once voted "American's Most Useful Man." He gave the world electricity. Source: (Middleton 30) -
Thomas Edison is Born
Thomas Edison was born on February 11, 1847. He was a very curious boy who after only three months in school left to be homeschooled by his mother. His teachers found his questions too annoying. Edison continued his education and entrepreneurship by doing lots of experiments on his own. Thomas Edison grew up to become a worldfamous inventor as he is recognized for having invented the lightbulb in 1879. -
Albert continued
This event is significant because Queen Victoria mourns his death and wore only black for the rest of her life. Source: (Mercer 430) -
Prince Albert died
Prince Albert died of typhoid fever in the private appartments at Windsor on December 14, 1861. He was only 42 years old. Queen Victroria went into mourning and announced "He was my life." Queen Victoria fell into a deep depression and mourned his death everyday. She turned the apartment where he died into a shrine. -
Battle of Gettysburg
On July 1-3, 1863, one of the greatest battles took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was an important victory for the North during a three day battle during the American Civil War. This event is significant because it was a turning point of the Civil War. The win gave the Union more control and the Confederates lost militarily and politically. Source: ( Carter 43) and (civilwar.org) -
Parliament cont.
This event is significant beause she had finally come out of her seclusion which had been very unpopular with the public. Source: (Mercer 434) -
Queen Victoria Opens Parliament
Queen Victoria opened Parliament in Westminister on February 6, 1866, after four years of mourning and seclusion from major public appearances. Her seclusion had been very unpopular with the general public. Her speach was read by the lord chancelor while she sat stonefaced next to her husband's empty chair. She was dressed in all black and had a long black veil. -
Suez Canal Opens
On November 17, 1869, the Suez Canal opened connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas. It made traveling by sea between the East and West a faster journey compared to navigating around Africa. This event is significant because the canal is a very valuable trade route. It saves and time and money for the shipping companies. Source: (Heinrichs 58) -
Empress of India
Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India by the British conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli on January 1, 1877. India had been part of the British Empire since 1858, and this act was to strenghten the bond further between Britian and India. This event is significant because the government of India was transfered to the Crown from the dissolved East India Company. Source: (open.ac.uk) and (Mercer 446) -
Mark Twain Published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in December 1884. It is often considered one of the Great American Novels. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a satirical novel. This event is significant because the book condemns slavery and racism. It also speaks about friendship between a white boy and a black slave. Source: (goodreads.com) Source: ( -
Golden Jubilee
Queen Victoria celebrated her 50-year reign on July 19, 1887. She chose to celebrate this accomplishment in a simple black dress and a white bonnet, refusing to wear a crown. She was honored by other royalty from around the world as well as thousands for countrymen during her journey to Westminster Abbey. -
Golden Jubilee continued
This event is significant because Queen Victoria is the longest reigning British monarch and she was celebrated throughout her Empire. Source: ( royal.gov.uk) and (Mercer 456) -
Henry Ford finishes his first car
In June of 1896, Henry Ford finished his first automobile. He had built a Quadricyle in his shed and it had taken him three years. His wife Clara was his biggest supporter, and was a "believer." This event is significant because it revolutionized the transportaion industry. Henry Ford founded The Ford Motor Company and later become of the richest people in the world. Source: (Gourley 20) and (corporate.ford.com) -
Queen Victoria Died
Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901 at the Osborne House, East Cowes. She was 81 years old. She was surrounding by her children and grandchildren. This is significant because it meant an end to her almost 64 year reign. She was the "grandmother of Europe" and had "transformed the crown from a parochial monarchy into a symbol of international stability." Source: (Mercer 475)
Source: (Mercer 474)
