Note: Unless otherwise specified, all record and movie release dates refer to the UK.
1922
The British Broadcasting Company began broadcasting on 2LO London with a News Bulletin at 6pm read by the director of programmes, Arthur Burrows, twice ('once quickly and once slowly').
John S Robertson's Tess Of The Storm Country - starring Mary Pickford - premiered.
Liverpool's three-nil victory over Aston Villa took them to the top of the First Division, ahead of Sunderland (who drew three-three with Arsneal at Roker Park, Clem Voysey netting two for The Gunners). Middlesbrough (two-one winners at Preston North End) were third. Elsewhere, Tom McDonald scored the winner as Newcastle United won at Tottenham Hotspur. Leciester City (who beat Southampton two-one) led the Second Division, ahead of Notts County who enjoyed a thumping four-one victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Tommy Green scored four in Stockport County's five-one defeat of Coventry City. David Pratt hit both goals in Bradford City's two-nil win at Derby County.
Richard Leeper McClelland born in Dublin. 2ZY Manchester broadcast, according to the Liverpool Echo, the BBC's first programme featuring variety acts. First BBC broadcast from 5NO Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Harry Chambers scored the winners in Liverpool's one-nil win at Aston Villa to keep The Reds top of the First Division. Arsenal slipped to the bottom after losing three-two at home to Sunderland. Percy Whipp and Bill Poyntz scored for Leeds United in a two-nil victory at South Shields in the Second Division. Third Division (North) leaders Nelson lost, two-one, at home to Rochdale. Wigan Borough moved to within a point with a three-two victory over Bradford Park Avenue.
Clement Graham Crowden born in Edinburgh.
The L20 London broadcast a drama for children, The Truth About Father Christmas, with Arthur Burrows in the title role.
Christmas Day highlights from 2ZY Manchester included extracts from Handel's Messiah. Liverpool won two-nil at Oldham Athletic to remain at the top of the First Division.
Edna Best read An Address By Peter Pan.
A performance of Rossini's 'The William Tell Overture' by the BBC Orchestra on 2LO London.
New Year's Eve programming concluded with Auld Lang Syne and God Save The King.
1923
The Rosewood Massacre began when racial violence erupted in Florida after a white woman accused a black man of assaulting her. When it was discovered that a black convict, Jesse Hunter, had escaped from a prison work gang, a posse of at least two hundred white men from the neighboring white town of Sumner invaded Rosewood and made a house-to-house search for anyone whom, they suspected, might be harbouring the fugitive.
Mister Edward Dykes, Bass broadcast on 2LO London.
Liverpool headed the First Division, beating Chelsea one-nil at Anfield. Sunderland (two-one winners at Birmingham City) were a point behind, followed by Huddersfield Town, who defeated Everton one-nil and Newcastle United, one-nil winners over Nottingham Forest. Oldham Athletic were rooted to the foot of the table, losing three-nil at home to Manchester City.
First BBC's outside broadcast, the British National Opera Company's production of The Magic Flute from Covent Garden.
2LO London's first variety programme, Veterans Of Variety broadcast.
Archaeologist Howard Carter unsealed the burial chamber of Tutankhamun, a Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt.
In the First Division, Aston Villa beat Stoke City six-nil and Sheffield United thumped Birmingham City seven-one. In the third Division (North), Durham City also had a seven-one vicotry over Lincoln City.
The opening of 5WA Cardiff including baritone Mostyn Thomas singing the traditional Welsh language folk song 'Dafydd y Garreg Wen' and Gwilym Davies becoming the first speaker to broadcast in the Welsh language. There's lovely.
Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore born in Pinner.
England drew two-two with Wales at Ninian Park in the Home International championship. Harry Chambers of Liverpool and debutant Vic Watford of West Ham United were on-target for the visitors, Wales's captain, Freed Keenor of Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion's Ivor Jones replied for the hosts, the latter equalising in the final minutes. Jones' West Brom team-mate, Tom Magee also made his debut for England in a team that contained the likes of Fred Titmuss, Arthur Grimsdell and Jimmy Seed. Middlesbrough's Jackie Carr, playing his winning his first cap in four years, had to leave the field injured with ten minutes remaining.
The opening of 5SC Glasgow.
Władysław Rudolf Zbigniew Sheybal born in Zgierz, Poland.
England beat Belgium six-one in a friendly international at Highbury. Lieutenant Jackie Hegan, representing the Royal Army Service Corps FC and Corinthians, scored twice on his interantional debut, with other goals coming from Harry Chambers, Jimmy Seed of Spurs, Sheffield United's David Mercer and another debutantr, Norman Bullock of Bury. England's third debutant was Fred Kean of The Wednesday. Even without Kean (and captain George Wilson), The Wednesday still managed to beat Leeds United three-one at Hillsborough. George Herbert, the fifth Earl of Carnarvon, who had funded the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun and was present when Howard Carter opened the tomb, suffered a mosquito bite which caused various complications and led to his death from pneumonia on 5 April. This subsequently led to lurid speculation that he was a victim of a 'Mummy's Curse'.
Peter Ewart Ohm born in Wem, Shropshire.
England and Scotland drew two-two at Hampden Park in the Home International championship. Burnley's Bob Kelly and Vic Watson scored for England whilst Andy Cunningham of Glasgow Rangers and Middlesbrough's Andy Wilson equalised for The Scots. Watsopn's West Ham United team-mate, John Tresadern. made his international debut as did Fred Tunstall of Sheffield United. Scotland retained the championship for the third year running. Austin Stack, the former Irish Minister for Home Affairs who had opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty which created the Irish Free State, was captured by troops. In his possession was a document accepting a proposal to end the Irish Civil War with a ceasefire and the laying down of arms.
The wedding of Prince Albert, Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) in Westminster Abbey. She began a royal tradition by laying her bouquet at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in memory of her late brother, Fergus.
Eric Sykes born in Oldham.
Already crowned First Division champions, Harry Chambers scored as Liverpool beat relegated Stoke City one-nil at Anfield. Sunderland, who lost one-nil at Aston Villa, finished runners-up whilst Huddersfield Town were third and Newcastle United (three-one winners against Manchester City) fourth. Oldham Athletic won their final game, three-one against Cardiff City, but were still relegated along with Stoke. Nottingham Forest and Chelsea narrowly avoided the drop. Sunderland's Charlie Buchan finished the season as the division's top goalscorer with thirty. Notts County and West Ham United were promoted from the Second Division, the latter on goal average having finished on the same number of points as Leicester City. Rotherham County and Wolverhampton Wanderers were relegated, replaced by Third Division (North) champions Nelson and Third Division (South) winners Bristol City. All four of the clubs seeking re-election - Ashington, Durham City, Aberdare Athletic and Newport County - were successful but Stalybridge Celtic resigned from the league as it was felt the club could not attract enough support to justify a League side. Three new clubs were elected to join the expanded Third Divisions, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Doncaster Rovers and New Brighton.
A much-changed England team, containing six debutants, beat France three-one in a friendly international in Paris. Jackie Hegan, Charlie Buchan and one of the debutants, Norman Creek of Corinthians and Darlington scored. Others making their first appearance were Crystal Palace's John Alderson, Nottingham Forest's Harry Jones, Charlton Athletic's Seth Plum, Bolton Wanderers' Jim Seddon and Frank Hartley of Oxford City, Tottenham Hotspur and Corinthians. The latter tripped over the French goalkeeper, Chayriguès and injured his knee, having to retire from the field after an hour's play. Soviet diplomat, Vatslav Vorovsky was assassinated in a Lausanne hotel restaurant when he was shot by Maurice Conradi, who had emigrated from Russia to escape the Bolshevik Revolution when most of his family were killed. The Swiss were somewhat sympathetic to his situation and he was, subsequently, acquitted of the murder.
There were seven new faces in the England side that beat Sweden four-two in Stockholm in a friendly international. Two of them, Derby County pair George Thornewell and Jimmy Moore scored along with a pair by Billy Walker of Aston Villa. Ernie Williamson of Arsenal, Notts County's Bill Asahurst, Basil Patchitt of Corinthians, Harry Bedford of Blackpool and Middlesbrough's Tom Unwin also made their first interantional appearances.
Andrew Bonar Law resigned as Prime Minister due to ill health and was replaced by Stanley Baldwin. Bonar Law had cancer of the throat and died five months later.
In the second of their two friendly internationals in Sweden, England won three-one with two goals from Derby's Billy Moore and another by Charlton Athletic's Harry Miller. The Irish Civil War came to an end when the Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army, Frank Aiken ordered his fighters to dump their arms and return to their homes.
The novelist and screenwriter Edgar Wallace broadcast a report on The Derby, thus becoming the first radio sports reporter.
Donald Morley born in Fulham.
Michael Hugh Medwin born in London.
The Liquor Act made it illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to under-eighteens.
Maine Road, one of the largest sports stadiums in Britain, opened in Moss Side as the new home of Manchester City who won two-one against Sheffield United in their first game there, on the opening day of the 1923–24 First Division campaign. Elsewhere, Newcastle United started the season in considerable style, beating Arsenal four-one at Highbury (with two goals from Neil Harris and further strikes from Stan Seymour and Tom McDonald), Birmingham City beat Aston Villa three-nil, the previous season's champions, Liverpool, lost two-nil at West Bromwich Albion and newly-promoted Notts County defeated Burnley two-one.
Richard Samuel Attenborough born in Cambridge.
Peter Sydney Ernest Aylen born in London.
The BBC delivered the first live outside broadcast, relaying a speech by Ernest Rutherford from a British Association meeting held at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool on the subject of The Electrical Structure Of Matter. The speech was relayed to Manchester and London and, from London, to Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff and Birmingham for broadcast in each of those cities.
News & Views Of The Theatre broadcast.
How To Become A Chemist by JR Pilcher broadcast.
Captain MA Ainslie's talk The Outermost Planets broadcast.
In the Second Division, promotion-chasing Derby County won eight-nil at Bristol City.
The first issue of Radio Times was published, listing schedules for all BBC radio broadcasts. Highlights from 30 September 1923 include several performances by The South Shields Corporation Tramways Band on 5NO Newcastle, a Talk By The Reverend P Leonard Of Toc H on 2ZY Manchester and an Organ Recital At Steinway Hall on 2LO London.
The first episode of Kiddies Corner broadcast on 5IT Birmingham. On 2LO London, Women's Hour featured 'Ariel's Society Gossip' and 'Mrs CS Peel's Kitchen Conversation.'
The first episodes of The Roads & Traffic Of Greater London presented by Mister W Rees Jeffreys, Chairman of the Roads Improvement Association - broadcast on 2LO London. An adaptation of Rob Roy, presented by Susie Maxwell, broadcast on 5SC Glasgow.
The first episode of Men's Talk: On Motoring - an ancient ancestor of Top Gear presented by Captain Richard Twelvetrees - broadcast. And, it was the best motoring radio show ... in the world.The film review programme, Seen On The Screen - presented by Mr GA Atkinson - broadcast. Glynis Johns born in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Occupation of Constantinople ended. Highlights of the First Division matches included Middlesbrough's five-two victory over Nottingham Forest (Andy Wilson scoring all five), Huddersfield Town's four-two win at West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City's two-one defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Donald Alfred Sinden born in Plymouth.
Arthur Gibbs & His Gang's recording of 'Charleston' released. Christopher Nicholas Parsons born in Grantham. Albert Patrick Jordan born in Harrow. The opening of 2BD Aberdeen; the first programme of which, at 9pm, was an address by the Marquess of Aberdeen & Temair and music from the Pipers and Military Band of Second Gordon Highlanders.
In the First Division, Sheffield United beat Preston North End four-nil and Blackburn Rovers defeated Birmingham City four-one. Cyril Leonard Shaps born in London. Rosemary Anne Sisson born in Enfield.
Frederick Bartman born in London.
The opening of 6BM Bournemouth; the first programme of which, at 8pm, was the Bournemouth Municipal Military Band conducted by Captain W Featherston followed by The Oriana Sisters.
The BBC celebrated the first anniversary of its creation on 18 October 1922. The highlight of which was a presentation of Macbeth. The Ministry of Transport sent a letter to all county councils urging them to take action against 'unsightly' roadside billboards which were 'disfiguring' the countryside. Igor Stravinsky conducted the premiere of his Octet at the Paris Opera. On the same concert, Serge Prokofiev's First Violin Concerto (1917) was also premiered, with Marcel Darrieux, violin and the Paris Opera Orchestra conducted by Serge Koussevitzky.
The BBC's film review programme Seen On The Screen - presented by GA Atkinson - broadcast.
John Merchant, President of the British Esperanto Association, broadcast on the subject of 'The Only Cure For A Tonguetied World'. Ireland beat England two-one at Windsor Park in the Home International championship with goals by Billy Gillespie and Tucker Croft. Birmingham's Joe Bradford scored for the visitors. He, Corinthians Alf Bower, Sheffield United's Harry Pantling and Chelsea's Tom Meehan made their first international appearances. The First Division was lead by Cardiff City who drew one-all with Preston North End (despite the absence of Tom Farquharson and Ernie Smith who were playing for Ireland). Notts County, who were in second place, also drew with Everton. Donald Cock scored for County. Liverpool, without Harry Chambers away on England duty, beat Nottingham Forest four-two. In the Second Division, leaders South Shields had not yet conceded a goal at home from five wins, but a three-nil defeat at Clapton Orient gave notice that their time at the top was soon to end.
Trafalgar Day Programme broadcast. Tod Browning's The Day Of Faith and John Ford's Cameo Kirby premiered. The Rhenish Republic was proclaimed by separatists as a French protectorate during the post-war occupation of the Rhineland by French and Belgian forces, but the territory continued to be disputed and the self-proclaimed government lasted a mere matter of weeks. French forces finally withdrew in 1930.
John Starchey's Our Weekly Book broadcast.
In Germany, Communists attempted a putsch in Hamburg, which resulted in street battles in that city for the following two days.
Robin Day born in Oxford.
The BBC's first regular football results programme - Today's League Football presented by Allan Baddeley - broadcast. Highlights of the First Division fixturs included Newcastle United's three-two defeat of Middlsbrough in the Tyne-Tees derby, Aston Villa's four-nil victory over West Bromwich Albion and Everton's three-nil win against Notts County. Huddersfield Town went to the top of the table with a one-nil defeat of Birmingham City following Cardiff's three-one loss at bottom side Prestron North End. Peter Murray Bryant born in London.
England drew two-all with Belgium in a friendly international in Antwerp. West Ham's Bill Brown and preston's Tommy Roberts both scored on their international debut. Brown's club colleague Eddie Hufton was also making his first international appearance. Convicted burglar 'Silky Bob' Sheppard had his death sentence commuted to life in prison for the murder of his twenty-year-old girlfriend, Florence Jones in Tottenham. He had placed a gas tube in her mouth, but claimed that they had made a suicide pact which he, then, regretted. However, a year earlier, he had attempted to strangle her and had also confessed to the murder of Sarah Blake, a pub landlady in Oxfordshire, only for the police to instead arrest a fifteen-year-old boy, Jack Hewitt, who ended up serving ten years for the grisly crime, with Sheppard serving six months for burglary. Sheppard's true nature as a psychotic madman was confirmed, four months after avoiding the death penalty, when he tried to strangle a prison officer's daughter, Ethel Fry and also knocked out her mother after legging it from a working party outside Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight. He was, subsequently, certified extremely insane and sent to Broadmoor for the rest of his natural.
Donald Daniel Houston born in Clydach Vale, Rhondda.
Derek Francis born in Brighton.
Kathleen Emmett Callard born in Toronto.
Aston Villa's centre-half Tommy Ball was shot dead by his neighbour, George Stagg, the only League footballer ever to be murdered during his playing career. The first radio broadcast to feature the voice of a British Prime Minister (Stanley Baldwin) occurred in Trafalgar Square Meeting.
Her Highness Princess Maud Of Fife married Captain Charles Alexander Carnegie in Wellington Barracks, London.
Margaret Courtenay born in Cardiff.
At a concert celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the union of Buda and Pest, Béla Bartók's Dance Suite and Zoltán Kodály's Psalmus Hungaricus both received their world premieres. Buster Keaton's Our Hospitality premiered.
Guy Doleman born in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Early radio comedy pioneer Captain Peter Eckersley's Hpw The Wheels Go Round broadcast 2LO.
Patricia Frederica Manfield born in Manchester.
Scottish international forward Andy Wilson joined Chelsea from Middlesbrough for a world record transfer fee of six thousand five hundred pounds - beating the previous record of five thousand five hundred pounds, paid by Sunderland to South Shields for Warney Creswell in March 1922.
The first BBC broadcast in Gaelic, a religious address from Aberdeen by the Reverend John Bain.
The General Erection was won by the Conservative Party though without enough seats to achieve a parliamentary majority. Stanley Baldwin's decision to call a snap erection backfired when voters rejected his protectionist tariff policy. Former Secretary of State for the Colonies Winston Churchill was defeated by Labour candidate Frederick Pethick-Lawrence in Leicester West. Among the new members of parliament was twenty six-year-old Anthony Eden, the MP for Warwick and Leamington.
John James Richard Macleod won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly with Frederick Banting for the discovery of insulin. WB Yeats won the prize for literature.
Lord Alfred Douglas was sentenced to six months in prison for libelling Winston Churchill. Douglas had printed a story in his newspaper, Plain English, claiming Churchill was paid by Ernest Cassel to release a false report about the Battle of Jutland in 1916 so that stocks would go down and a group of Jews could turn a profit when they went up again. A false report of a crushing British naval defeat had, indeed, been planted in the New York press by German interests but by that time (following the failure of the Dardanelles Campaign), Churchill was not connected with the Admiralty. As the Attorney General asserted in court, on Churchill's behalf, there was 'no plot, no phony communiqué, no stock market raid and no present of fine furniture.'
A live performance of Pagliacci broadcast from The Old Vic.
2BD broadcast an adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, by RE Jeffrey. Gordon Cameron Jackson born in Glasgow.
A series of recitals by Sir Frank Benson under the collective title Shakespeare Evening broadcast on 5NO Newcastle.
Reverend GW Kerr (BA LLB) On Wit & Humour broadcast. Cardiff City were top of the First Divison despite being held to a one-all draw at Sheffield United.
Boxing Day was celebrated with two hours of music from The Savoy Orphans and Savoy Havana Band live from London.
Auntie Priscilla's Christmas Message and Auntie Hilda and Uncle Humpty Dumpty's Musical Talk featured in Children's Stories.
X Mas Party broadcast from Manchester.
Talk To Young People On Tuning Forks - featuring Professor Cheshire - broadcast from King's College.
The Band Of The Sunderland Constabulary - featuring at least some of the actual Mackem Filth - broadcast on 5NO Newcastle.
The BBC broadcast The Chimes Of Big Ben for the first time to see in the New Year.
