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21/10/2005
Britain celebrates Trafalgar bicentenary
Britain is marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar with a series of events across the country.
More than 6,000 events are planned to take place throughout the UK over the weekend, to mark the Royal Navy victory over the combined Spanish and France fleets on October 21, 1805.
At 12pm BST on Friday, bells rang out around the world to mark the moment Lord Nelson, who died during the battle, first engaged the enemy fleet.
First Sea Lord, Sir Alan West, laid a wreath at Nelson’s tomb in St Paul’s Cathedral, while Second Sea Lord, Sir James Burnell-Nugent, laid wreaths on board the HMS Victory – one on the deck and another below deck, on the spot where Lord Nelson is believed to have died.
Later on Friday, the Queen will light the first of 1,000 beacons to be lit around the country, beside the Victory, before attending a dinner on board the ship.
The 1805 Battle of Trafalgar is deemed to be one of the decisive battles in British naval history.
It marked the end of Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain and established Britain’s supremacy at sea, blockading the French fleet and enabling troops to be landed and supported during the Peninsular campaign.
Low-key commemorations of the battle are also taking place in France and Spain.
(KMcA/SP)
More than 6,000 events are planned to take place throughout the UK over the weekend, to mark the Royal Navy victory over the combined Spanish and France fleets on October 21, 1805.
At 12pm BST on Friday, bells rang out around the world to mark the moment Lord Nelson, who died during the battle, first engaged the enemy fleet.
First Sea Lord, Sir Alan West, laid a wreath at Nelson’s tomb in St Paul’s Cathedral, while Second Sea Lord, Sir James Burnell-Nugent, laid wreaths on board the HMS Victory – one on the deck and another below deck, on the spot where Lord Nelson is believed to have died.
Later on Friday, the Queen will light the first of 1,000 beacons to be lit around the country, beside the Victory, before attending a dinner on board the ship.
The 1805 Battle of Trafalgar is deemed to be one of the decisive battles in British naval history.
It marked the end of Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain and established Britain’s supremacy at sea, blockading the French fleet and enabling troops to be landed and supported during the Peninsular campaign.
Low-key commemorations of the battle are also taking place in France and Spain.
(KMcA/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies developing in places for a time overnight. Clouding over again from the west by sunrise. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
