This Day In European History
25th May
Events1657: In England Oliver Cromwell accepts a new 'Humble Petition and Advice', this one not naming him as king.
1659: Richard Cromwell, son and successor of Oliver Cromwell, resigns as Lord Protector of England; the Rump parliament returns England to Commonwealth status.
1768: James Cook leaves on his first voyage.
1815: Prussia is promised a constitution by King Frederick Wilhelm III in recognition of the nationalistic movement which developed fighting Napoleon.
1850: A hippopotamus goes on public display in London, the first ever on British soil and the first in Europe since Roman times; Hippo mania overtakes the city. The hippo was called Obaysch.
1895: Oscar Wilde, English writer and wit, imprisoned for homosexual acts.
1995: Romania hosts the World Dracula Congress.
Births
1616: Carlo Dolci, Italian painter.
1661: Claude Buffier, French historian.
1713: John Stuart, British Prime Minister.
1803: Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Engish writer who wrote the classic opening: "It was a dark and stormy night."
1818: Jacob Burckhardt, Swiss historian.
Deaths
735: Bede, English monk and writer.
1085: Pope Gregory VII.
1510: Georges d'Amboise, French cardinal and chief minister.
1681: Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Spanish playwright.
1682: Artamon Matveyev, Russian diplomat.
1693: Madame de La Fayette, French author.
1805: William Paley, English priest.
