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
_______________________________ 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
_____________________________ 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
___________________________ 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
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