Outstanding events in the history of Great Britain

There were many outstanding events in the history of Great Britain.

England was added to the Roman Empire in 43 A. D. Roman invasion played a very important role in the history of the country. The Romans built the first roads in the country, dug the first wells. The Romans, who were great architects, constructed the first towns in Britain.

After the withdrawal of Roman legions in 410, different tribes tried to control the territory of Britain. But the Normans influenced the British civilization most of all. They came in 1066 under the leadership of William the Conqueror. As the invaders spoke French, their speech influenced the English language. That is why English comprises a lot of French words and word combinations.

In the 18th century technological and commercial innovation led to the Industrial Revolution. The thirteen North American Colonies were lost, but replaced by colonies in Canada and India.

Once more the British had to face the French in 1805 at the battle of Trafalgar. Then Admiral Nelson won a great victory over the French fleet. In order to commemorate this event the main square in London is named after this battle. And the monument to Admiral Nelson was erected on this square.

Many historical events and personalities led the country to the position of the powerful and highly-developed state.

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde is one of the most interesting representatives of British literature.

He was born in 1856 in the Irish family. His father was an optician, an author of some books on Irish folklore. His mother was a poetess and was well-known in aristocratic society.

After graduating from Oxford University Wilde delivered lectures on ethics and aesthetics in Europe and America. He was accused of immoral behaviour and got into prison. After it he left for Paris where he died in 1900.

Oscar Wilde’s literary heritage is very large and his works are often staged nowadays. He is well-known for his extraordinary talent and humour. “The truth is rarely pure and never simple”, “There is no sin except stupidity”, “Art never expresses anything but itself” are only a few of his famous aphorisms. He always considered the aesthetic feeling of a person to be the moving force of human development. Wilde’s fairy-tales always depicted the union between the good and the beauty. Every detail in his lyrical fairy-tales has symbolic meaning.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” is one of his most famous novels. It is a story of a young man Dorian Gray. Under the influence of Lord Henry, his spiritual “teacher”, Dorian becomes an immoral murderer. Despite this fact his face remains young and beautiful. But his portrait painted by his friend reflects Dorian’s immorality and cruelty. Thrusting a knife into his portrait Dorian kills himself. His face becomes ugly while the portrait shines with perfect beauty.

Washington, the capital of the USA

Washington, the capital of the USA, was founded in 1791. The city was named after the first president George Washington. The population of the city is nearly three million people.

The Capitol is the centre of the city. It was built according to the plans of William Thornton, who was an amateur architect. It is situated on Capitol Hill.

The White House is the place where the president of the USA lives and works. This house was first occupied in 1800 by John Adams, who was the first president to live in that house. The White House has 132 rooms.

Washington has many sights, for example, the Library of Congress, the Lincoln memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and others.

The National Gallery of Arts contains art collections by the great masters of the 14th to 18th centuries.

The Library of Congress contains millions of books and manuscripts.

Outside the city the Arlington National Cemetery is situated. John Kennedy was buried there. The famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is also situated there.

The industry of the city is not well developed. But Washington is a large scientific and cultural centre. Many research and designing institutes are concentrated here. There are five universities in the city and the National Academy of Sciences.