From Viking weapons and Roman coins found in the Thames to Sigmund Freud’s notebook; from Charles Dickens’ walking stick to the 1067 document that granted Londoners their rights and freedoms, Historic England and more than 40 of London’s museums and galleries are celebrating the first ever London History Day on Wednesday 31 May 2017.
Last year, Historic England polled Londoners about when they thought would be the best date for London History Day. The day when Big Ben first started keeping time in 1859 was chosen from a selection of 10 key moments in the city’s history, including when the Great Fire of London broke out and the date of the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games.
London History Day highlights the capital’s extraordinary history and heritage and is part of Historic England’s wider ‘Keep it London’ campaign which aims to get the public to notice, celebrate and speak up for the heritage in their city.
The capital’s museums, galleries and organisations are supporting London History Day by displaying rare or unusual London-related objects and staging special events and tours which give an insight into how London’s people and places have contributed to the city’s unique identity.
