Transport
4th February 1893 - Liverpool's Overhead Railway opened. The six mile line ran from Bootle to Toxteth, with later extensions being added to Seaforth and Dingle. The line was opened by the Marquis of Salisbury, with the Liverpool Mercury describing the opening scene: "All vessels in the dock and surrounding streets were bedecked with bunting, and the scene was of the gayest description, as equipages and cabs, the picturesque uniforms of the mounted police, the general animation, the large bodies of police under their inspectors lent no small affect to the ensemble."
Politics
7th February 1947 - As a severe winter continued to bite the government announced and electrical shutdown for parts of the day, leading to an angry reaction from housewives. The Daily Post reported how the Secretary of the British Housewives League had written to the Minister of Fuel Manny Shinwell saying "Please state how housewives can cook midday meals, tend for the sick and care for infants in all electric homes without supply. Are you devoid of commonsense".
Shipping
25th February 1905 - The Cunard liner Caronia made its maiden voyage. She weighed 19,000 tons and was the largest ship in the Cunard fleet. The Liverpool Daily Courier reported of her leaving the dockside "Crowds gathered in the vicinity had an opportunity of forming some conception of her enormous hulk. She commenced to glide away from her berth promptly on the advertisement time. As she got on the move the barriers to the landing stage were removed and the crowds of people rushed to get a nearer view of the great ship. Between them and the passengers there was an exchange of farewell greetings by means of pocket handkerchiefs. Hundreds were waved aloft and ‘bon voyage’ was wished through the medium of cheers"
Sporting
26th February 1839 - The first Grand National took place. The race took place over two circuits of Aintree racecourse and was won by a horse called Lottery, but the Liverpool Mercury was no impressed at the proceedings, writing "We have heard with alarm and regret that it is in contemplation to establish steeplechasing annually or periodically in this neighbourhood. If any such design is seriously entertained we trust that some means will be adopted to
defeat it!”
defeat it!”
The above events are covered in further detail, along with other stories for every day of the year, in The Liverpool Book Of Days, which was published in September 2012. Signed copies are available here.