HISTORY & HEALTH ALL MAKE GREAT STORY HOOKS FOR JUNE!
Here are ten things that have taken place in history, or are folk traditions that happen during the month of June that you can talk about – either as a blog, social media post or campaign, video or even a press release!
These are just a few ideas to kick start your imagination.
If any resonate with you, create a blog or social media story using one of the following ten hooks:
1. Oxford won the first Oxford/Cambridge university boat race in1829. Have you ever been to watch the race in person? Is rowing a hobby of yours? Do you make their boats, oars, uniforms? Do you watch it and favour one team more than the other – why?
2. Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 who went on to be our longest serving monarch. Do you have anything in the family that has been handed down, celebrating that day? Is it something that your family remember, or do you have different views about the ‘royals’?
3. June 1948 saw the arrival of the ship, Empire Windrush, bringing Caribbean migrants to the UK looking for work and better lives. Many were veterans of the 2nd World War. Windrush Day is now celebrated on Jun 22nd. Do you have any family that are linked to this event, or any connections with the Caribbean?
4. 1946 TV licences were issued for the first time for £2. Do you think we should pay for a TV licence? Do you think older people should get them for free? Do you think they’re outdated completely, with the amount of streaming programs online? Or do you think they are great value when they largely pay for the BBC (bit of Channel 4 too).
5. Every month is either the birth or death of many famous authors, artists, musicians – you might want to look up your favourites to see when they were born. Write about why you love them or their art, writing or music.
Here are a few examples – Charles Dickens died of a stroke in 1879; Franz Kafka died in 1924; Thomas Hardy was born in1 840; Maurice Sendak 1928; Salman Rushdie b 1947 and George Orwell 1903.
Musician’s Paul McCartney, Charlie Watts, Curtis Mayfield, George Ezra, Boy George, Ariana Grande were born this month – and many more.
6. June 6, celebrates the anniversary of the D-Day Normandy landings in 1944 . This is the largest seaborne invasion in history.
You might have relatives that were involved; have grown up in one of the ports in the south coast linked with the event: Southampton, Portsmouth and other locations in the Solent.
Do you have family tales of fishermen, boatsmen taking to the seas to support the invasion?
7. Nan Winton was the first female newsreader in vision who made her debut on BBC television in June 1960 and she became the first woman to present the national news on the BBC. ITN had already aired Barbara Mandell in 1955 who was the first female newscaster. Male presenters still outnumber women. Is that shocking to you? Perhaps you are the first female to do something or you may want to celebrate that. I was the first woman in my family (person) to go into higher education and the first woman in the family who wanted a career and not a ‘job’.
8. Summer Solstice 21st June. This year the summer solstice will occur at 03.42 BST (02.42 GMT). Do you celebrate the solstice? Do you go to Stonehenge – talk about the experience.
9. Well-dressing takes place between May and September. This is an old tradition and a unique custom in the Peak District, Derbyshire. Well Dressings are works of art created by hand using natural materials such as petals and seeds by groups of volunteers. During these months, more than 80 towns and villages display their floral masterpieces. One of the most famous is Tissington Well Dressing, which takes place between 29th May and 4th June. There are many other villages still displaying their wells later in June too.
Is this a tradition you’ve ever seen? Did you grow up in the area and remember seeing them when you were younger?
10. June 9, 1898, the British signed the 99-year lease for Hong Kong, which was administered as a British Crown Colony until July 1997, when sovereignty reverted to the People’s Republic of China June 30 1997. Have you lived and worked in Hong Kong and experienced the differences since the Chinese take over? Did the change impact on you staying there?
It may be that none of these historical events resonate with you, but you may have a particular historic anniversary from your own family or business that does…
And finally – don’t forget it’s Pride Month and there are a wealth of things to do and say and perhaps present yourself as an ally if you are not part of that community.
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