Monnow Bridge (Welsh: Pont Trefynwy) in Monmouth, Wales, is the only
remaining fortified river bridge in Great Britain with its gate tower
standing on the bridge. It crosses the River Monnow 500 metres
(1,600 ft) above its confluence with the River Wye. According to
tradition, construction of Monnow Bridge began in 1272 to replace a
Norman timber bridge. Through the medieval era, the English Civil War,
and the Chartist uprising, the bridge played a significant role in
defending Monmouth. It also served as a toll gate, a gaol, a munitions
store, a lodge, an advertising hoarding, and a focus for celebrations.
Built predominantly of Old Red Sandstone, the bridge was significantly
reconstructed in the 18th and 19th centuries. It then also became a
popular subject for artists such as Turner. In the 20th century, it
suffered damage from accidents and heavy traffic. After a new road
bridge was built downstream in 2004, use of the Monnow Bridge was
restricted to pedestrians. Its historical and architectural importance
are reflected in its status as a Scheduled Monument and a Grade I listed
building.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monnow_Bridge>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1676:
The Swedish warship Kronan, one of the largest ships in the
world of its time, sank at the Battle of Öland with a loss of around
800 men.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_%C3%96land>
1831:
British naval officer and explorer James Clark Ross
successfully led the first expedition to reach the North Magnetic Pole.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clark_Ross>
1942:
Second World War: The crews of three Japanese Type A Kō-hy
ōteki-class submarines scuttled their boats and committed suicide after
entering Sydney Harbour and launching a failed attack.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour>
1967:
The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, widely
considered the most influential rock and roll album ever recorded, was
released.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Pepper%27s_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band>
1980:
CNN was launched as the first television network to provide
24-hour television news coverage.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
throw cold water on:
(idiomatic) Of an achievement, emotion, idea, suggestion, etc.: to
belittle or dismiss; to cast doubt upon; to debunk.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/throw_cold_water_on>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
There's an obvious attraction To the path of least resistance in
your life Well there's an obvious aversion no amount of my insistence
Could make you try tonight 'Cause it's easy not to So much easier not to
And what goes around never comes around to you To you, to you, to you,
to you, to you. [
--Alanis Morissette
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Alanis_Morissette>