October

The, 50 pence decimal coin was first issued, replacing the ten shilling note.

October 14, 1969

Pope Gregory reforms the calendar introduced by Julius Caesar in 45BCE - 4 October is followed by 15 October. However, the reform will not be implemented in Britain and Ireland till 1752

October 15, 1582

Allan Ramsay, poet, father of Allan Ramsay the painter, is born

October 15, 1686

Allan Ramsay, the Scottish poet and literary figure, was born on October 15, 1686, in Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Dr Marie Stopes, founder of first modern birth control clinic, born Edinburgh.

October 15, 1880

Edinburghs Balmoral Hotel opened its doors for the first time.

October 15, 1902

Voting age for women reduced from, 30 to, 21, the same as for men.

October 15, 1928

Poet William Souter died in Perth.

October 15, 1943

King James II born.

October 16, 1430

Proclamations against Catholic clergy and schools in Ireland are issued

October 16, 1678

Robert Fergusson Scottish poet, died.

October 16, 1774

When Robert Burns arrived in Edinburgh in 1786, he made a pilgramage to the Canongate kirkyard to pay his respects to the young man who had inspired his poetry and whose grave lay unmarked for 12 …

Cavan-born Thomas Baron von Brady, general in the Austrian army, dies in Vienna

October 16, 1827

Oscar Wilde, playwright, novelist and essayist is born in Dublin

October 16, 1854