Queen Victoria (Queen of the United Kingdom)
Full Name: Alexandrina Victoria
Profession: Queen of the United Kingdom
Biography: Queen Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom from 1837 to 1901. Her reign, known as the Victorian era, saw significant changes in British society and the expansion of the British Empire.
Victoria became queen at age 18 after the death of her uncle, King William IV. In 1840, she married her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The couple had nine children, and their descendants later married into many European royal families.
During her reign, the British Empire grew substantially. Victoria became Empress of India in 1876. She also worked closely with several prime ministers, including William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, to shape British politics.
Prince Albert died in 1861, and Victoria entered a long period of mourning. She withdrew from public life for many years, which led to a decline in the monarchy's popularity. Victoria gradually returned to public duties in the 1870s.
Victoria celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1887 and Diamond Jubilee in 1897, marking 50 and 60 years on the throne. These events showcased Britain's power and Victoria's status as a symbol of the empire.
Victoria's reign saw many changes, including the growth of railways, industrialization, and expansion of voting rights. She died in 1901, having ruled for over 63 years. Her reign was the longest of any British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed it in 2015.
Born: May 24, 1819
Birthplace: London, England
Star Sign: Gemini
Died: January 22, 1901 (aged 81)
Articles and Photos
St Paul's Defies Bombing Conflagration
There had been a church on this London spot for well over 1,000 years but it seemed only a miracle could save it from the inferno caused by 100,000 bombs.
June 21, 1675
‘Bobbies’ Take To The Streets Of London
Robert Peel, the man responsible for the world’s first modern police force, the UK’s ruling Conservative party – and income tax – was born on this day.
February 5, 1788
Grace Darling, the Lighthouse Heroine
Raging seas were no deterrent when lighthouse-keeper’s daughter Grace Darling determinedly set out in a rowing boat to rescue survivors of a shipwreck.
November 24, 1815
Welcome Shoppers, But No Whistling Please
Burlington Arcade, one of London's finest shopping streets, was opened on this day, partly as a deterrent to litter louts.
March 20, 1819
Coronation of Queen Victoria
Coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey by Sir George Hayter
June 28, 1838
A Day's Pay – The Cost of Sending a Letter
Sending letters and parcels used to be a highly expensive and difficult process until on this day the “Penny Post” system began, thanks to an English teacher.
January 10, 1840
Penny Black
The Penny Black stamp featured Queen Victoria
May 1, 1840
Wayward Prince Blamed for Royal Death
Prince Edward, born on this day, came to prefer pleasure to duty, causing tension, Queen Victoria believed, that would have fatal consequences.
November 9, 1841
Spoonerism – Or Just A Lack Of Pies?
A Spoonerism is a phrase that comes out all wrong, and the man responsible for them, William Spooner, was born on this day. Did he just get bad Press?
July 22, 1844
Ship of Gold Sails Into Oblivion
A frigate with more than 150 souls on board, as well as nearly three tons of gold, sailed out of Melbourne on this day – never to be seen again.
August 12, 1853
The Indian Mutiny
Mutineers are executed by the Bengal Horse Artillery, in a painting by Orlando Noire
May 10, 1857
Women And Politics: The Passions of Palmerston
Queen Victoria had an intense dislike for her Prime Minister Lord Palmerston. But other women took a quite different view of the man dubbed ‘Lord Cupid’.
October 18, 1865
Ethiopian Emperor Commits Suicide
British soldiers discover the body of Emperor Tewodros II after he committed suicide following the Battle of Magdala
April 13, 1868
The Pain Behind Cleopatra's Needle
First-time visitors to London could be surprised when they see an Egyptian obelisk standing beside the River Thames. It was welcomed to the city on this day.
January 21, 1878
Albert's Monumental Legacy
Architect George Gilbert Scott, who designed the Albert Memorial in honour of Queen Victoria's beloved husband, Prince Albert died on this day.
March 27, 1878
Anglo-Zulu War
Napoleon, Prince Imperial, head of the House of Bonaparte, is killed during the Anglo-Zulu War
January 11, 1879
Pitman Shorthand: An Invention of Note
Shorthand inventor Isaac Pitman died on this day. Other systems evolved before and after Pitman, but the long and short of it is, his is the most widespread.
January 22, 1897
Funeral of Queen Victoria
The funeral cortege of Queen Victoria outside St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on February 2, 1901
February 2, 1901
Historical Events
- 1837-06-20 Queen Victoria at 18 ascends British throne following death of uncle King William IV. She rules for 63 years till 1901.
- 1837-07-13 Queen Victoria is 1st monarch to live in present Buckingham Palace
- 1838-06-28 Coronation of Queen Victoria, aged 19, during a five-hour ceremony at Westminster Abbey, London
- 1842-05-30 John Francis attempts to assassinate Queen Victoria
- 1843-04-06 William Wordsworth is appointed British Poet Laureate by Queen Victoria
- 1853-04-07 Queen Victoria asks John Snow to administer chloroform during the delivery of her eighth child, Leopold, leads to wider acceptance of obstetrical anesthesia
- 1857-06-26 The first 62 recipients are awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the Crimean war by Queen Victoria
- 1857-12-31 Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa as new capital of Canada
- 1858-01-25 Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" first played, at wedding of Queen Victoria's daughter Princess Victoria, to crown prince of Prussia
- 1858-08-16 Britain's Queen Victoria telegraphs US President James Buchanan for the first time via transatlantic telegraph cable; he replies, "It is a triumph more glorious, because far more useful to mankind, than was ever won by conqueror on the field of battle"
- 1861-05-13 Queen Victoria announces Britain's position of neutrality during the US Civil War
- 1867-04-23 Queen Victoria and Napoleon III turn down plans for a channel tunnel
- 1867-05-20 Royal Albert Hall of Arts & Sciences foundation laid by Queen Victoria in London
- 1871-03-29 Royal Albert Hall opened by Queen Victoria in London
- 1873-05-24 Alexandra Palace opens on Queen Victoria's 54th birthday with a grand celebration including concerts, recitals and fireworks
- 1877-01-01 Queen Victoria proclaimed Empress of India
- 1880-05-11 British Queen Victoria issues charter granting city status to the Borough of Liverpool
- 1882-03-02 Queen Victoria narrowly escapes assassination when Roderick Maclean shoots at her while boarding a train in Windsor
- 1882-05-06 Epping Forest, England, dedicated by Queen Victoria
- 1882-08-14 Queen Victoria receives Zulu chief Cetewayo
- 1886-09-06 Queen Victoria establishes Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
- 1887-06-21 Britain celebrates the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria
- 1888-09-06 Queen Victoria grants William Mackinnon's Imperial British East Africa Company political & commercial rights
- 1889-10-29 Queen Victoria grants Cecil Rhodes rights to Zambezia
- 1896-09-22 Queen Victoria surpasses her grandfather King George III as the (then) longest reigning monarch in British history
- 1899-04-18 St. Andrew's Ambulance Association is granted a Royal Charter by Queen Victoria
- 1899-04-24 Transvaal British Uitlanders ask Queen Victoria for aid
- 1901-01-22 After 63 years Britain stops sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps series & begins King Edward VII series
- 1901-02-02 Queen Victoria's funeral takes place in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, England
- 2015-09-09 Queen Elizabeth II becomes Great Britain's longest-reigning monarch at 63 years and seven months, beating the previous record set by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria
Personal Life
- 1840-02-10 British Queen Victoria (20) marries her cousin Albert (20) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later the Prince Consort at St James' Palace
References
Famous Queens
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Aldo Pusey
Update: 2024-09-18