Skip to main content

The best British newspaper archive on the web

  1. On this day - 21 February

On this day - 21 February

Historical items of interest as featured in the papers of the day.

Image for page WMan_1874_02_25_060

Disraeli receives seal of office

The Watchman 21/02/1874

On February 25th 1874, Benjamin Disraeli and his cabinet received their seals of office, completing Disraeli's appointment process as Prime Minister for the second time. Benjamin Disraeli was the first and only Jewish Prime Minister of the UK to date and held the position twice. He took over from William Gladstone. He was made the Earl of Beaconsfield in 1879 by Queen Victoria before losing the 1880 election.

The Watchman highlights the new formation of the Cabinet as part of their News of the Week feature.

Want to read more about this event and numerous other events from history? A subscription allows you unlimited access to continue reading and to view pages in greater detail. Log in and look at our online shop for prices.

Check back every day to see a different event from history highlighted.

Image for page DMir_1952_02_22_001

Identity cards are abolished in the UK

Daily Mirror 21/02/1952
During World War II, identity cards in the UK were mandatory. On February 21st 1952 the requirement for UK residents to carry an ID card was dropped, although the numbers from the ID cards remained used for NHS access.

Want to read more about this event and numerous other events from history? A subscription allows you unlimited access to continue reading and to view pages in greater detail. Log in and look at our online shop for prices.

Check back every day to see a different event from history highlighted.