19-25 July 2014
Saturday
Get set.escargot!
With a shout of “ready, steady, slow”, the World Snail Racing Championships kicked off in Norfolk. The race was won by Wells the snail, to the delight of his trainer, five-year-old Zeben Butler-Alldred.
Sunday
All the fun of the flying circus
Monty Python performed their final show in London. Like the famous dead parrot, the comedy group is no more. It has ceased to be. It is an ex-comedy troupe. The spectacle was broadcast live around the world.
Monday
Political journey
Former prime minister Tony Blair famously said that his priorities for office were “education, education, education”. He became the face of New Labour, and the leader of the opposition, 20 years ago.
Tuesday
Signs of solidarity
The United Nations marked 100 days since more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Nigeria. Gordon Brown, special envoy for global education, encouraged people to hold vigils and send letters of support.
Wednesday
Taking up the baton
Scottish superstars, including singers Susan Boyle and Rod Stewart, performed at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Athletes from 71 nations will compete in the 11-day event.
Thursday
Comic-Con artists
Daniel Radcliffe and Benedict Cumberbatch were expected to attend the 45th annual Comic-Con International in San Diego, alongside comic book enthusiasts. It is the biggest event of its kind in the world.
Friday
Kingdoms united
In 1603, James VI of Scotland was crowned King James I of England, uniting the two kingdoms in the process and ending the reign of the Tudors. But how much longer will this United Kingdom last?
26 July - 1 August 2014
Saturday
Felican Esperanto-tagon!
Esperanto Day celebrates the universal tongue created by LL Zamenhof in the late 1800s. Spoken only by a passionate minority, it is yet to be adopted as the official language of any country.
Sunday
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BOOM!
Demolition men are due to blow up three cooling towers at Didcot power station in Oxfordshire in the early hours. Local residents want the explosion to take place during the day so they can watch it.
Monday
World-changing war
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia 100 years ago today, starting the First World War. Britain joined the conflict a week later, after the German invasion of Belgium.
Tuesday
Earn your tiger stripes
If you think tigers are grrreat, International Tiger Day is just the campaign for you. Created in 2010, it aims to increase awareness of population decline and raise funds for tiger conservation.
Wednesday
Past glory
They think it’s all over.it was then. England’s sole World Cup victory took place 48 years ago when the team beat West Germany 4-2. The 1966 final was the last to be televised in black and white.
Thursday
Ration reversal is a rum do
Solemn sailors wore black armbands on this day in 1970, now known as Black Tot Day. It was the last time that the Royal Navy issued them with a rum ration, otherwise known as the daily tot.
Friday
Two of a kind
Think you’re seeing double? You might be in Twinsburg, Ohio, which is holding a Twins Days Festival. Multiple siblings from across the globe will take part in activities including a “double-take parade”.
