Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday

21st April 1926 was the day when Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, the Queen Elizabeth II, was born. Actually, at the time of her birth, nobody would think she will become the Queen of the country. There was a great deal of public interest when news came through that the Duke and Duchess of York had become a proud parents of  a baby daughter. 

Her uncle, Edward, became the King after the death of George V, but he abdicated very soon. On 10th December 1936, Princess Elizabeth of York was with her sister, Margaret, in their London home, 145 Piccadilly, when she became aware of people shouting for her father outside. Her father was away and her mother was ill in bed. Finally, she went to ask a footman the reason for the commotion. He replied that her beloved uncle, Edward VIII, had abdicated and her father was king.

Royal Ascot fashion

There is a long history of horse racing on the grounds at Ascot and it’s always had a royal association. King James I began the family tradition in the 16th century, becoming a huge supporter of horse races and equestrian sports. In 1711 Queen Anne was out riding near her home in Windsor Castle when she came upon an area of heath. She claimed it was “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch.” Over the next few years she held a series of equestrian events on the site, which is the site of today’s Ascot race course.

The history of 'Union Jack' flag

Today, the British flag, the popular "Union Jack", is one of the most global and most easily recognizable symbols? It is so popular that can be easily found not only all around the United Kingdom, but even abroad - on fashion clothing and accessories, gifts, mugs, posters, stationery...

Lets go back in time and see how is the 'Union Jack' is born. Until early 17th century, England and Scotland were two independent counties that shared a small territory of the island, often involved into mutual conflicts and wars. After the death of the English ruler, Queen Elizabeth I, who died unmarried and childless. The England throne was succeeded in 1603 by James VI, King of Scotland, queen's cousin. He became James I, King of England and  England and Scotland now shared the same monarch under what was known as a 'union of the crowns'.

B (British) B (Broadcasting) C (Corporation)

BBC is one of the world's  most known public-service broadcaster with the headquarter in London. It is an oldest and biggest broadcasting company in the world, with 23.000 employees in total. Services are also available online and on video. Our network of correspondents provide impartial news, reports and analysis in 32 languages from locations around the world.

The 1920s saw the end of the amateur radio enthusiasts, and the beginning of a professional broadcast organisation. That was how BBC started - as small private, radio amateur owned establishment. In October 1922, a consortium of radio manufacturers formed the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and the man who change the history of broadcasting in Britain was John Reith (1889 - 1971). 

British icons: Red pillar letter boxes

Wherever you go in UK, you will bump on them on every corner. Can you guess what I have on my mind? Pillar boxes, of course. Postal pillar boxes are certainly British icon. If you ask anyone who never be in UK about the things that are unique there, the red pillar box will be on this list. And they are special in many ways. Their look is unique, they have an interesting history and represent tradition.

Most traditional British pillar boxes produced after 1905 are made of cast iron and are cylindrical. However, it is possible to see the hexagonal Penfolds (named after the architect who designed it, John Penfold), and an oval shape that is used mainly for the large "double aperture" boxes most often seen in large cities like London and Dublin. In recent years boxes manufactured in glass-fibre or ABS plastic and these are for use in indoor locations (shopping malls, supermarkets...).