Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Today (24/5/22) marks 50 years since the opening of the iconic Spaghetti Junction (Gravelly Hill interchange). It covers 30 acres (12 ha), serves 18 routes and includes 4 km (2.5 mi) of slip roads, but only 1 km (0.6 mi) of the M6 itself. Across five different levels, it has 559 concrete columns, reaching up to 24.4 m (80 ft). The engineers had … Continue reading “Spaghetti Junction at 50”
22 May marks the 50th anniversary of the death of English actress of stage, television and film, Dame Margaret Rutherford (1892-1972). For many she is the archetypal Miss Marple (she played the role in four films loosely based on Agatha Christie’s writings) but was also known for comedy roles. She played Miss Prism in John … Continue reading “Margaret Rutherford 50th anniversary”
The founder of the Barber Institute, Lady Barber, was born on 16 May 1869 as Martha Constance Hattie Onions. After an education at Cheltenham Ladies College, she married the Birmingham solicitor and property developer, William Henry Barber. Learn more about her, and the University art gallery and concert hall that bear her name, by visiting … Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Lady Barber!”
Also called Leandro dal Ponte, Leandro Bassano (10 June 1557-15 April 1622) was an Italian artist from Bassano del Grappa who was awarded a knighthood by the Doge of Venice. Leandro was the son of the painter Jacopo Bassano and was active in his father’s workshop from a young age. When his elder brother Francesco left … Continue reading “Leandro Bassano 400th anniversary”
8 April 1992 saw the final issue of Punch, Britain’s oldest satirical magazine, after 150 years in publication. Punch, or The London Charivari (in homage to the French satirical magazine Le Charivari), was a weekly British satirical magazine whose artists and illustrators included John Tenniel (of Alice in Wonderland fame) and Archibald Henning. Its audience … Continue reading “30th anniversary of the final issue of ‘Punch’”
Samuel Morse (1791-1872) was an American inventor and painter who contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European telegraphs. Co-developer of the Morse Code, he helped to develop the commercial use of telegraphy. He was also a noted painter – among others, he was commissioned to paint US President James Monroe in … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the death of Samuel Morse”
25 March marks the 75th birthday of Elton John – the English singer, pianist and composer. Over a career spanning six decades, as well as solo work, he has collaborated with John Lennon, Kiki Dee and George Michael and, in more recent times, Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa. Producing more than 30 albums (and some … Continue reading “Elton John at 75”
15 January marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of French actor, playwright and poet, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, also known as Molière. Widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language, his works include comedies, farces and tragicomedies, His plays have been translated into every major living language. As a sixth-form student at … Continue reading “Molière 400 in 2022”
8 January 2022 marks what would have been the late great David Bowie’s 75th birthday. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, his work was acclaimed by fellow musicians and critics, particularly his innovative work in the 1970s. He studied art, music and design before embarking on a professional career … Continue reading “David Bowie 75th anniversary”
Steve Biko (1946-1977) was ideologically an African nationalist and social who was at the forefront of a grassroots anti-apartheid campaign known as the Black Consciousness Movement during the late 1960s and 1970s. Studying medicine at the University of Natal, he became increasingly frustrated that National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) and other anti-apartheid groups … Continue reading “75th anniversary of the birth of Steve Biko, South African anti-apartheid activist”
