What happened on THIS day in Coventry's history?

11th Jan 1966 The 13th Coventry Scout Band become the first scout musicians to perform in Westminster Abbey. 11th Jan 1856 The Corn Exchange opened (later became the Empire Cinema) in Hertford Street. The picture below was from the Illustrated London News of 10th July 1858.

12th Jan 1918 Arthur Hutt returned from the First World War to a hero's welcome at Coventry Station, saying: 'All I did was my duty to my King and country.' He was demobbed in 1919 and returned home to his wife, daughter and his job at Courtaulds. 12th Jan 1859 The first edition of the 'Coventry Examiner' newspaper appeared, for one penny - an Ultra-Liberal paper.

13th Jan 1859 On this night, at the Plough Hotel in Spon Street, 22 year old Foleshill man, James Knight, took his own life by shooting himself 'through the body' - probably attempting to perforate his heart. A failed love affair was suspected.

14th Jan 1926 Stoke Heath Council Infants School was opened for 378 children, run by Head Teacher Miss Bertha Evans.

15th Jan 1539 Coventry's huge Benedictine Abbey, St Mary's Priory, officially taken by the Crown (Henry VIII) as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. 15th Jan 1947 Music producer Pete Waterman born in Coventry.

16th Jan 1865 The opening of the Freemen's Charity Girls' School, funded by city benefactor Sir Thomas White. The school stood on the corner of Swanswell Terrace and Stoney Stanton Road. 16th Jan 2018 (Today!) A Royal visit to Coventry, City of Culture, by Prince William and Kate Middleton.

17th Jan 2002 Royal Navy frigate HMS Coventry was decommissioned. It was launched in 1986 but was considered out of date after only 15 years. It was the 6th HMS Coventry - a line stretching back to 1658. The previous HMS Coventry was sunk in the Falkland Islands (see 25th May 1982).

18th Jan 2016 Two railway stations opened: Coventry Arena and Bermuda Park in Nuneaton.

19th Jan 1732 Laurence Wright was ordered 'to make a weathercock and globe of copper, not exceeding 20lbs weight' for the top of St. Michael's church steeple.

20th Jan 1345 Coventry given the Charter of Incorporation by King Edward III - we are a City! 20th Jan 1919 Stoke Park School founded in 'Harefield house' in Brays Lane.

21st Jan 1539 The Cistercian abbey of Coombe was surrendered to the monarchy of Henry VIII as part of the ongoing Dissolution of the Monasteries.

22nd Jan 1642 Mayor Christopher Davenport decreed that every householder and person of ability in Coventry should find and arm himself with muskets and ammunition, so that the city be in a state of readiness for war. (The Civil War he feared did indeed happen, in August of that year.)

23rd Jan 700 From around this time, 23rd January was St Osburg's Day, named after the founder of the Nunnery in Coventry. 23rd Jan 1628 Doctor Philemon Holland elected new master of King Henry VIII Free School.

24th Jan 1642 Due to the Civil War a watch at the four main gates was set of 17 'able men both of estate and persons'. The bar gates (Spon, New, Bishop and Gosford) were to be chained up till 4am and guarded by those men. The other seven gates were shut up every night. All other postern gates were walled up. 24th Jan 1665 The spire of Holy Trinity Church falls during a storm, killing a small boy who was passing by.

25th Jan 1345 From this year, the first year that Coventry became a city, until 1556, a body of 24 leading citizens elected the mayor, coroner, and chamberlains, and most other civic positions, on this date. They took up office on 2nd February (the day on which the Lammas lands were opened to the citizens).