2nd February 1650: the Birth of Nell Gwyn
On this day in 1650, Nell Gwyn was supposedly born in Covent Garden - although the date, year, and city of her birth remain disputed. Described as "pretty, witty Nell" by the diarist Samuel Pepys, she rose from childhood poverty to become one of the first female actresses in England - and ultimately the mistress of King Charles II. She had two sons by the king, one of whom became the Duke of St Albans.
Nell Gwyn
9th February 1996: the Docklands IRA Bombing
On this day in 1996 the IRA detonated a truck bomb at South Quay in Docklands. Two people were killed, and more than one hundred injured, with £150m worth of damage caused.
Docklands IRA bombing
23rd February 1633: the Birth of samuel pepys
On this day in 1633 Samuel Pepys was born in a house on Salisbury Court, next to St Bride's Church on Fleet Street. Chief Secretary of the Admiralty and Member of Parliament for Cambridge, Pepys is most famous for his diary - and for burying his Parmesan Cheese in the back garden during the Great Fire of 1666. The birth date on his plaque is listed a year early, because when Pepys was born New Year's Day wasn't until the 25th March.
The plaque at Samuel Pepys's birthplace [Image credit: Spudgun67 on Wikipedia Commons]
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