Documenting the historical links between people and places as recorded by commemorative plaques
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Plaque Of The Day
Harold Ross, Dorothy Parker, Harpo Marx, and George Gershwin red plaque
Simon says, "It's not often a plaque contains an epigram from the person it commemorates, but this one does exactly that and tells us he partied at least once with a bohemian set, including George Gershwin, Dorothy Parker and Harpo Marx. Founder and first editor of the New Yorker, Harold Ross was - like most journalists - fond of name-dropping, so his plaque is quite in keeping with that tradition."
Place Of The Day
Norwich, United Kingdom
Norwich has a long history. It has been a city since 1094. From the Middle Ages until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was the largest city in England after London and one of the most important. This is refelected in its plaques.
Most-viewed plaques
In the last 11 years, between 20 May 2009 to 6 Jan 2021, Open Plaques had 4,530,517 page views from 1,234,480 users. Some were triggered by internet memes such as Steve Ullathorne's 2012 image of a George Orwell plaque with a CCTV camera next to it. Others, such as those for Alan Turing, were probably triggered by an anniversary and campaign for recognition.
- George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist & political essayist lived here (19526 page views)
- Jacob von Hogflume 1864-1909 Inventor of time travel. lived here in 2189 (15077 page views)
- George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist and political essayist lived here (6390 page views)
- Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970 guitarist and songwriter lived here 1968-1969 (5714 page views)
- Alan Turing 1912-1954 founder of computer science and cryptographer, whose work was key to breaking the wartime Enigma codes, lived and died here. (4085 page views)
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930 creator of Sherlock Holmes lived here 1891-1894 (3846 page views)
- Alan Turing 1912-1954 code breaker lived here from 1945-1947 (3679 page views)
- This building housed the offices of Charles Dickens' magazine 'All The Year Round' and his private apartments 1859-1870 (3339 page views)
- Dame Agatha Christie 1890-1976 detective novelist and playwright lived here 1934-1941 (3027 page views)
- The Peterloo Massacre. On 16th August 1819, a peaceful rally of 60,000 pro-democracy reformers, men, women and children was attacked by armed cavalry resulting in 15 deaths and over 600 injuries. (3006 page views)
recently photographed plaques
Antony Dale OBE FSA 1912-1993 author, historian and conservationist lived here 1914-1962
46 Sussex Square, Brighton, United Kingdom
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A meeting of the British Association held 20 June 1860 within this door was the scene of the memorable debate on evolution between Samuel Wilberforce Bishop of Oxford and Thomas Henry Huxley
, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Gustav Fulder [full inscription unknown]
English translation: Gustav Fulder
Bochumer Str. 25, Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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Директор дворца спорта "Юность" с 1980 по 2010 год, заслуженный работник физической культуры РСФСР, отличник народного образования СССР, Почетный гражданин Калининграда Семён Исаакович Корецкий (1925-2011)
English translation: Director of the Sports Palace “Yunost” from 1980 to 2010, Honored Worker of Physical Culture of the RSFSR, excellent student of public education of the USSR, Honorary citizen of Kaliningrad Semyon Isaakovich Koretsky (1925-2011) [AWS Translate]
Маршала Баграмяна 2, Калининград - Kaliningrad, Russia
The first gay rights demonstration took place here, in Highbury Fields, on 27th November 1970 when 150 members of the Gay Liberation Front held a torchlight rally against police harassment.
Highbury Crescent, London, United Kingdom
Alan Jerrard awarded the Victoria Cross 1918 attended this school 1906-1909
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School, Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom
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Gwlad Arwystli Angel Hotel Built in 1748 Local Chartists held meetings during 1833-1839 Gwesty'r Angel 1748 Lleoliad Cyfarfodydd y siartwyr ym 1838-9
3 High St, Llanidloes, United Kingdom
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The War Stone This felsite boulder was deposited near here by a glacier during the last Ice Age, being at one time used as a parish boundary mark. It was known as the Hoare Stone of which the modern War Stone is a corruption
Warstone Lane (outside the Cemetery), Birmingham, United Kingdom
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This memorial and garden dedicated to the memory of John Vesey - Bishop of Exeter (Born c. 1462, died October 23rd 1554) The eldest son of William Vesey or Harman of Sutton Coldfield. So great was his love for his native place that he conferred upon it great and lasting benefits. His most distinguished service to the town was to obtain from King Henry VIII a charter of incorporation, decreeing that the inhabitants of Sutton Coldfield should choose a warden and society for the Government of the town, and the administration of the lands and profits of the manor and lordship for the benefit of the poor, absolutely and forever. This charter also decreed tha the inhabitants should have the free use of the Royal Park and chase in perpetuity, and that the title of the town should thenceforth and for ever be "The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield". Among his many benefactions, he enlarged and beautified the church and founded the Grammar School which bears his name. He built a Moot Hall and Market Place. Fifty-one stone houses for the poor and two stone bridges, paved the whole town. Repaired the fences of the park and stocked it with cattle. He served the state of foreign embassies, held many other offices. Was tutor to the Princess Mary (daughter of Henry VIII). Lord of the marches of Wales and Dean of the Chapel of the Chapel Royal of Windsor. DEXTRA DEI EXALTAVIT ME - DEXTRA DEI FECIT SALUTEM
Vesey Gardens - Coleshill Street, Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom
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The original lighting columns on the High Level Bridge were refurbished and brought back into service by Network Rail in 2008, with funding contributions from: The Railway Heritage Trust, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, Newcastle City Council
High Level Bridge, Gateshead, United Kingdom
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Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790 American statesman, scientist and journalist lived briefly in a house on this site before leaving for America in 1775.
Orchard Street/Friargate, Preston, United Kingdom
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The Arch was cleaned in 1978 with contributions to the Brighten up the Borough Campaign fund in Jubilee year 1977
QUEENS GATE PLACE MEWS ARCH, London, United Kingdom