By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Hollee and Hayden Davill Early Canberra For thousands of years, the indigenous Ngunnawal people lived in the Canberra region, and the name ‘Canberra’ is believed to be derived from an indigenous word meaning ‘meeting place’. The first European explorers arrived in the Canberra area in 1820 and the first settlers… Continue reading A History of Canberra
A Biography of Charles Darwin
By Tim Lambert His Early Life Charles Darwin was one of the great scientists of the 19th century. He was born on 12 February 1809 at the Mount House, Shrewsbury. His father was a doctor. His mother died when he was 8 years old. Charles had one brother and four sisters. Up to the age… Continue reading A Biography of Charles Darwin
A History of Melbourne
By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Terry and Rhonda Luff Early Melbourne The first Europeans visited the site of Melbourne in 1803. A group of settlers landed at Port Phillip Bay but within a year they moved on to Tasmania. The city of Melbourne in Australia was founded in 1835. In that year a group of… Continue reading A History of Melbourne
A History of Perth Australia
By Tim Lambert The Swan River Colony Perth was founded in 1829 largely because the British feared the French would establish a colony in Western Australia. In 1827 Captain James Stirling (1791-1865) sailed to the Swan River in his ship HMS Success. Stirling believed the area would be ideal for a settlement. He persuaded the… Continue reading A History of Perth Australia
A History of Sydney
By Tim Lambert Sydney is Founded Sydney was founded in 1788 when the first fleet arrived in Australia from England. On 13 May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships set sail from Portsmouth, England. Onboard were 759 convicts, most of them men with sailors and marines to guard the prisoners. With them, they took seeds,… Continue reading A History of Sydney
A Brief History of Amsterdam
By Tim Lambert Early Amsterdam The city of Amsterdam began as a village on the River Amstel. However, in the Middle Ages, it grew rapidly as a center of trade. In 1275 Floris V, Count of Holland gave the people of ‘Amstelledamme’ to transport their goods by water through his territory. In 1306 the bishop… Continue reading A Brief History of Amsterdam
A History of Berlin
By Tim Lambert Early Berlin The great city of Berlin began in the 13th century. Originally there were 2 settlements on either side of the Spree River, Colln and Berlin. Colln was first mentioned in 1237 while Berlin was first mentioned in 1244. The two towns grew rapidly and in 1307 they made an alliance.… Continue reading A History of Berlin
A History of Budapest
By Tim Lambert Early Budapest In the 1st century AD, the Romans conquered parts of what is now Hungary. About 100 AD they created a town called Aquincum on the site of Budapest. However, in 409 the Huns captured the town. The region was then ruled by different peoples until the Magyars conquered the area… Continue reading A History of Budapest
A History of Florence Italy
By Tim Lambert Early Florence The great city of Florence was founded by the Romans in 59 BC. It was a colonia, a settlement for retired soldiers and it was called Florentia. The new town flourished and grew under Roman rule. However, in the 4th century, the Roman Empire split into two, East and West.… Continue reading A History of Florence Italy
A History of Krakow, Poland
By Tim Lambert Early Krakow According to legend Cracow was founded by a hero called Krak who killed a dragon by feeding it animal skins filled with sulfur. In reality, Krakow was a thriving settlement and a center of trade by the 10th century. Krakow was first mentioned in 965 by a Spanish merchant who… Continue reading A History of Krakow, Poland