Born on this day in 1632, Sir Christopher Wren is one the most famous architects in history. He is responsible for designing more than 50 churches in London, after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Wren was a polymath (learned in many subjects), noted for his knowledge or contributions to astronomy, geometry, and mathematics as well as architecture. Intellectual superstars such as Sir Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal spoke highly of his scientific work.
St. Paul’s took 36 years to built and boasts one of the largest domes in the world. It was the tallest building in London from the time it was finished in 1710 until 1962!
St. Paul’s was targeted during the German bombing of London during World War II (the Blitz), and although buildings all around it were destroyed, remarkably, it survived. (The cathedral was struck by two bombs that did not destroy it, and a third time-delayed bomb would have utterly destroyed it if it had not been defused and removed by the bomb disposal unit of the Royal Engineers!)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO1YOlI6SQkoP3qlUdzLCP2XtvSrJgEYEsxH54WTj5Xx-to5TjeiLUocrH6I9ObdjZ6foYAvTQbuthRmBNn36pukvluRmgFbnGIp0sl-yTHi1OdTvAXsau-ikXBLwp_IHSgTdQmNRVoWQ2EizVvh17LcdU0zPYGTV0DTOsK8n0-m7nMZVOR0qc7bd8=w640-h497) |
Um…Wow! St. Paul’s Cathedral survived the blitz!
|
St. Paul’s Cathedral is well worth a visit! One thing I remember about my visit was the Whispering Gallery. This is reached after climbing many stairs up to the dome. If one person whispers against the wall at any point in the dome, the whisper can be heard by a listener with an ear held to the wall at any other point around the gallery! Actually, this is true of any dome—if you find yourself in one, try it!
Learn more about architecture.
And here are some more resources.
Also on this date:
Anniversary of Maria Theresa inheriting a throne
Anniversary of the first public school in North America – and:
Education reformer John Dewey’s birthday
Heroes’ Day (Mashujaa Day) in Kenya
Baseball great Mickey Mantle’s birthday
Anniversary of the capture of Calico Jack
Revolution Day in Guatemala
Birthday of gameshow winner and TV psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers
International Chefs Day
Anniversary of World Statistics Day
(Third Wednesday in October)
Unity Day
(Third or fourth Wednesday of October)
Plan ahead:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
And here are my Pinterest boards for:
-
November holidays
-
November birthdays
-
Historical anniversaries in November