Victoria (1819–1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death, the longest reign in British history to that point. Victoria was the only child of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (the fourth son of George III), and Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Edward died in 1820, and Victoria eventually inherited the throne aged 18 since Edward's elder brothers had all died without surviving legitimate issue. Victoria married her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1840. Their children married into royal families across Europe, and Victoria was dubbed "the grandmother of Europe". After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria went into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result, British republicanism gained strength. Her popularity later recovered, and she became a national icon. Her Golden and Diamond Jubilees were times of national celebration. Victoria was succeeded by her son Edward VII.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1869:

Jay Gould, James Fisk, and other speculators plotted but failed to control the United States gold market, causing prices to plummet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_%281869%29

1890:

Wilford Woodruff, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote the first draft of a manifesto that officially disavowed the future practice of plural marriage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1890_Manifesto

1941:

Operation Barbarossa: A Wehrmacht training event known as the Mogilev Conference began, marking an increase in violence against Jews and other civilians in the areas under General Max von Schenckendorff's command. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mogilev_Conference

1993:

Norodom Sihanouk became King of Cambodia with the restoration of the monarchy after a 23-year interregnum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norodom_Sihanouk

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

irrespirable: Not respirable; not suitable for breathing; unbreathable. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/irrespirable

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

LOGIC The principle governing human intellection. Its nature may be deduced from examining the following propositions, both of which are held by human beings to be true and often by the same people: “I can’t so you musn’t,” and “I can but you musn’t.”   --John Brunner https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Brunner