This Week in History 23rd to 29th March

We continue our weekly blog posts with events which took place this week in history. This week was an eventful week for Irish Law, in Hollywood and literature, to name just a few. There is a mix of interesting and entertaining facts most of which have been reported by Irish newspapers. On the 23^rd of March It is now 4 years since we said our last good-bye to one of Hollywood’s legends, Elizabeth Taylor. Starring in more than 50 films, winning two Academy Awards, she will always be synonymous with Hollywood glamour. More about the life of the screen-icon http://archive.irishnewsarchive.com/olive/apa/ina/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IND%2F2011%2F03%2F24&id=Ar00600&sk=CB1A1F61 On this day in 1839, the initials “O.K.” were publicly used for the first time as abbreviation to “all correct” in The Boston Morning Post. It then made its way into the everyday speech of Americans. On the 24^th of March This is the birthday of one of Ireland's very talented people, Happy 45th Birthday to Sharon Corr! On the 25^th of March On this day in 1960, "Lady Chatterley's Lover" by DH Lawrence was ruled as not being obscene in NYC court. 19 years ago, in 1996, The European Union's Veterinarian Committee banned the export of British beef and its by-products because of "mad cow disease". See how Irish beef was affected: http://archive.irishnewsarchive.com/olive/apa/ina/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IFJ%2F1996%2F03%2F30&id=Ar00301&sk=18CF15C5 On the 26^th of March We all know the importance of Health and Safety regulations, but did you know that Thomas J Martin registered the patent for the fire extinguisher in 1872? Did you know that there is a statue of Popeye in Texas? Spinach growers erected the statue in 1937. On the 27^th of March On this day in 1973, Marlon Brando declined the Academy Award for Best Actor for his career-reviving performance in The Godfather, in support of Native Americans. Irish Independent reported: http://archive.irishnewsarchive.com/olive/apa/ina/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IND%2F1973%2F03%2F29&id=Ar00314&sk=E04B6EEA It heats thousands of Irish houses these days, but kerosene was patented by Abraham Gesner in 1855. On the 28^th of March History tells of Constantinople & Angora. Although it is confusing for those who don’t know that they changed their names to Istanbul & Ankara, in 1930! On the 29^th of March One of the greatest performance venues in London, the Royal Albert Hall, was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871. 11 years ago, the Republic of Ireland proudly becomes the first country in the world to ban smoking in all work places, including bars and restaurants! Opinions were divided: http://archive.irishnewsarchive.com/olive/apa/ina/SharedView.Article.aspx?href=IND%2F2004%2F03%2F29&id=Ar01006&sk=25A5AB53 For more details and information about some of these events or to find out what more was happening in Ireland at the time, check out our website and browse over 40 Irish newspaper titles!