by Suzy Watts

Created on: February 15, 2011

1911

New Year's Eve, 1911.  Nearly midnight, and I find myself thinking back on the momentous events that have occurred during the year - on a personal, national and international level.

The year began with that terrible gun battle in London.  The Home Secretary, Mr Winston Churchill, was almost killed by one of the Latvian gang who murdered three policemen in Houndsditch last December.  The suspects were holed up in a house at No 100 Sidney Street and were eventually overcome by the fire which raged through the building.

Another important event which took place in June, at Westminster Abbey, was the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.  The old king, Edward VII, had only been on the throne for about ten years after the death of Queen Victoria.  The new king and queen are very popular and have just returned from their Durbar in Delhi.

The emerging sport of motorcar racing has been celebrated in a place called Indianapolis in America.  They had a race of 500 miles around an oval racetrack, with 40 cars and drivers participating.  The average speed was almost 75 mph, which I find difficult to imagine!  The winner of the race was Mr Ray Harroun, and he was using his new invention, the rear view mirror.  Most of the motor cars that are sold in this country now have this safety feature.

In Sweden, the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to Mrs Marie Curie, for her pioneering work in the field of radioactivity, whatever that might be.  She had already won the prize for Physics in 1903, making her the first woman to receive two Nobel Prizes, so she must be a really clever person.  She was brought up in Poland, then moved to France in her twenties, and has gone from strength to strength in her chosen field, working alongside her husband and children.

In the last week, news has arrived confirming that a group of men led by Mr Amundsen, from Norway, has reached the geographical South Pole, the first people to do so.  A second British expedition, led by Mr Scott, has been seeking the same goal over many years.  There has been no news of them for some weeks, and there are fears for their safety.

On a personal note, these many interesting news stories are overshadowed by my beautiful wedding, which took place in September at our local church.  It was a wonderful service and both families enjoyed the occasion.

The coming year will bring more news, more events, and more excitement, but none more so than my own news - my husband and I are to welcome a new life in the late summer, when our baby will be born.  We are looking forward to the happy event with great anticipation.

So, Happy New Year and welcome 1912.

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