Æthelstan (died 939) is regarded by historians as one of the greatest Anglo-Saxon monarchs and the first king of England. The grandson of Alfred the Great, he succeeded as King of the Anglo-Saxons in 924. In 927 he conquered Viking-ruled York and thus became the first king to rule the whole of England. In 934 he invaded Scotland, and in 937 the Scots and the Vikings united to launch an invasion of England, but Æthelstan won a crucial victory at the Battle of Brunanburh. This gave him great prestige both in England and on the Continent. Æthelstan centralised government and summoned leading figures from distant areas to his councils, including Welsh kings, who acknowledged his lordship by their attendance. He was one of the most pious West Saxon kings (depicted presenting a book to St Cuthbert), and was known for collecting relics and founding churches. His household was the centre of English learning during his reign, and it laid the foundation for the English Benedictine Reform later in the century. No other West Saxon king played as important a role in European politics, and he arranged the marriages of several of his sisters to continental rulers.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86thelstan

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1275:

The earliest recorded usage of the name "Amsterdam" was made on a certificate by Count Floris V of Holland that granted the inhabitants, who had built a bridge with a dam across the Amstel (pictured), an exemption from paying the bridge's tolls. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam

1644:

English Civil War: The combined armies of Parliament inflicted a tactical defeat on the Royalists, but failed to gain any strategic advantage in the Second Battle of Newbury. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Newbury

1916:

Supporters of deposed Ethiopian Emperor-designate Iyasu V were defeated at the Battle of Segale, ending their attempt to restore him to the throne. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Segale

1944:

World War II: German forces captured Banská Bystrica, the center of anti-Nazi opposition in Slovakia, bringing the Slovak National Uprising to an end. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bansk%C3%A1_Bystrica

2004:

The Boston Red Sox completed a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series, the club's first championship in 86 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_World_Series

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

wife-beating question: A question which presupposes some controversial premise, such that it cannot be directly answered without incriminating oneself; a loaded question. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wife-beating_question

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Light breaks where no sun shines; Where no sea runs, the waters of the heart Push in their tides; And, broken ghosts with glow-worms in their heads, The things of light File through the flesh where no flesh decks the bones.   --Dylan Thomas https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dylan_Thomas