The Manchester Bee
Adopted by Manchester in the 19th Century, the Manchester Bee symbolizes the industrious nature of the city and its people. The bee can be found on many of Manchester’s street furniture and can be seen within the mosaic floor in Manchester’s Town Hall.
Rolls Royce
It was in 1904 that Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met in Manchester’s city centre Midland Hotel. Two years later the company Rolls-Royce Ltd was formed. Visit the Midland Hotel for afternoon tea and see the statue dedicated to their meeting.
The first computer
In 1948 Manchester University professors developed the first computer to have a stored programme and memory. Nicknamed ‘Baby’, it has made the computer what it is today. A replica can be seen at the Science and Industry Museum.
Women’s Suffrage
In 1903 Mancunian Emmeline Pankhurst found the Women’s Social and Political Union, later known as the Suffragettes. Emmeline dedicated her life to the campaign for women’s votes and the Pankhurst Centre, previously Emmeline’s home, displays the work and struggle of the women Suffragettes.
‘Canal Mania’
Canal Mania’ began in 1761 when The Bridgewater Canal, affectionately known as the ‘Duke’s Cut’, became the first man-made waterway in Britain. Visitors can take a walk or trip along the many canals within Greater Manchester.
First Passenger Railway
The Duke of Wellington opened the world’s first passenger railway in 1830. The success of this Manchester to Liverpool railway started the railway revolution. This globally significant railway site is now the home of the Science and Industry Museum.
First football league
In 1888 the world’s first professional football league was set up at the Royal Hotel in Manchester. The city is home to two Premiership football teams including Manchester City and Manchester United Football Clubs.
Birthplace of nuclear physics
In 1917, the Nobel Prize winner Ernest Rutherford became the first person to create an artificial nuclear reaction in laboratories at the University of Manchester.
Coronation Street
Manchester is home to the world’s longest running TV soap opera – Coronation Street. Starting on December 9th 1960, it has been on screens every week, ever since.
LGBT history
Manchester was the first city in the world to commemorate its LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) past by commissioning a local artist to set rainbow tiles into flagstones across the city, marking historical LGBT places of interest.
