Trafalgar Square is a square in central London, England. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland With its position in the heart of London, it is a popular tourist attraction; its trademarks are Nelson's Column, which stands in the centre, the four lion statues that guard the Column, and the large amount of pigeons that live in the square. Nelson's Column is a Monument in Trafalgar Square, London, England. Other statues and sculptures are also on display in the square, including a fourth plinth displaying changing pieces of contemporary art, and it is a frequent site of political demonstrations. A demonstration is an historically and geographically common form of Nonviolent action by groups of people

The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), a British naval victory of the Napoleonic Wars. The Battle of Trafalgar ( 21 October 1805) was a historic sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions The original name was to have been "King William the Fourth's Square", but George Ledwell Taylor suggested the name "Trafalgar Square". William IV (William Henry 21 August 1765 &ndash 20 June 1837 was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until George Ledwell Taylor (1788&ndash1873 was an architect and landowner who lived in London.

The northern area of the square had been the site of the King's Mews since the time of Edward I, while the southern end was the original Charing Cross, where the Strand from the City met Whitehall, coming north from Westminster. The Royal Mews is the Mews ( Stables and in recent times also the garage) of the British Royal Family in London. Edward I (17 June 1239 – 7 July 1307 popularly known as Longshanks, was a King of England who achieved historical fame by conquering large parts of Wales and almost Charing Cross is located at the junction of the Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street in Central London, England. The Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. For London as a whole see the main article London. The City of London is a geographically Whitehall is a road in Westminster in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards traditional Westminster is an area of Central London, within the City of Westminster. As the midpoint between these twin cities, Charing Cross is to this day considered the heart of London, from which all distances today are measured.

In the 1820s the Prince Regent engaged the landscape architect John Nash to redevelop the area. John Nash ( 18 January 1752 – 13 May 1835) was an English Architect responsible for much of the layout of Regency Nash cleared the square as part of his Charing Cross Improvement Scheme. The present architecture of the square is due to Sir Charles Barry and was completed in 1845. Sir Charles Barry FRS ( 23 May 1795 &ndash 12 May 1860) was an English Architect, best known for his role

Contents 1 Overview 2 Fourth plinth 3 Pigeons 4 Redevelopment 5 Christmas ceremony 6 Political demonstrations 7 Sports events 8 VE Day celebrations 9 New Year events 10 Other uses 11 Access 12 See also 13 Other Trafalgar Squares 14 Notes 15 Further reading 15.1 Articles 15.2 Books 16 External links 16.1 General 16.2 Fourth plinth

Overview

The square consists of a large central area surrounded by roadways on three sides, and stairs leading to the National Gallery on the other. The roads which cross the square form part of the busy A4 road, and prior to 2003, the square was surrounded by a one-way traffic system on all sides. Underpasses attached to Charing Cross tube station allow pedestrians to avoid traffic. Charing Cross tube station is a London Underground station at Charing Cross in the City of Westminster with entrances located in Trafalgar Square Recent works have reduced the width of the roads and closed the northern side of the square to traffic.

Nelson's Column is in the centre of the square, surrounded by fountains designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1939 (replacing two earlier fountains of Peterhead granite, now at the Wascana Centre and Confederation Park in Canada) and four huge bronze lions sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer; the metal used is said to have been recycled from the cannon of the French fleet. Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA, LLD ( 29 March 1869 – 1 January 1944 Boddam is a coastal village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is north of Aberdeen and south of Peterhead. Wascana Centre (formally established in 1962 is a 93 square kilometre (2300 acre park built around Wascana Lake in Regina Saskatchewan. Confederation Park is a downtown park in Ottawa, Canada It is bordered on the south by Laurier Avenue and Ottawa City Hall; on the east by the Rideau Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, RA ( March 7, 1802 in London – October 1 1873) was an English painter, The column is topped by a statue of Horatio, Viscount Nelson, the admiral who commanded the British Fleet at Trafalgar. Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson 1st Viscount Nelson 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758– 21 October 1805 was a British Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks of the highest Naval officers The Battle of Trafalgar ( 21 October 1805) was a historic sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the

On the north side of the square is the National Gallery and to its east the St Martin's-in-the-Fields church. St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. The square adjoins The Mall via Admiralty Arch to the southwest. The Mall (ˈmæl in London is the road running from Buckingham Palace at its western end to Admiralty Arch and on to Trafalgar Square Admiralty Arch is a large office building in London which incorporates an archway providing road and Pedestrian access between The Mall, which extends to To the south is Whitehall, to the east Strand and South Africa House, to the north Charing Cross Road and on the west side Canada House. Whitehall is a road in Westminster in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards traditional The Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The High Commission of South Africa in London is located at South Africa House a building located in Trafalgar Square, London. Charing Cross Road is a London street which runs immediately north of St Martin-in-the-Fields to St Giles' Circus (the intersection with Oxford Street Canada House is a Greek Revival building on Trafalgar Square in London that is part of the High Commission of Canada in London.

At the corners of the square are four plinths; the two northern ones were intended to be used for equestrian statues, and thus are wider than the two southern. A plinth is the base of a cabinet in Cabinet making. In Architecture, a plinth is the base or platform upon which a Column, Pedestal An equestrian statue is a Statue of a Horse -mounted rider The term is from the Latin " eques," meaning " Knight Three of them hold statues: George IV (northeast, 1840s), Henry Havelock (southeast, 1861, by William Behnes), and Sir Charles James Napier (southwest, 1855). Major-General Sir Henry Havelock, KCB ( April 5 1795 – November 29, 1857) was a British general who is particularly William Behnes (1795–1864 was an English sculptor of the early 19th century For the naval officer of the same name see Charles Napier General Sir Charles James Napier GCB ( August 10 Mayor of London Ken Livingstone controversially expressed a desire to see the two generals replaced with statues "ordinary Londoners would know". The Mayor of London is an elected politician who along with the London Assembly of 25 members is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London (see Kenneth Robert Livingstone (born 17 June 1945 is a British Socialist Politician. ^[1]

On the lawn in front of the National Gallery are two statues, James II to the west of the entrance portico and George Washington to the east. James II of England and Ireland James VII of Scotland (14 October 1633 &ndash 16 September 1701 was King of England, King of Scots, Later that same year James George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the The latter statue, a gift from the state of Virginia, stands on soil imported from the United States. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state This was done in order to honour Washington's declaration he would never again set foot on British soil. ^[2]

In 1888 the statue of General Charles George Gordon was erected. Major-General, CB ( 28 January 1833 &ndash 26 January 1885) known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha In 1943 the statue was removed and, in 1953, re-sited on the Victoria Embankment. The Victoria Embankment, is part of the Thames Embankment, a road and walkway along the north bank of the River Thames in London. A bust of the Second World War First Sea Lord Admiral Cunningham by Franta Belsky was unveiled in Trafalgar Square on 2 April 1967 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service. Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Browne Cunningham 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, Bt, KT, GCB, OM, DSO (7 January Franta Belsky was a Czech sculptor. He was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, in 1921 the son of the economist Joseph Belsky. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. ^[3]

The Square has become an enormously important symbolic social and political location for visitors and Londoners alike, developing over its history from "an esplanade peopled with figures of national heroes, into the country’s foremost place politique," as historian Rodney Mace has written. An esplanade is a long open level area usually next to a river or large body of water where people may walk Its symbolic importance was demonstrated in 1940 when the Nazi SS developed secret plans to transfer Nelson's Column to Berlin following an expected German invasion, as related by Norman Longmate in If Britain Had Fallen (1972). Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German The ( German for "Protective Squadron" abbreviated SS - or ( Runic)- was a major Nazi organization under Adolf Hitler and the Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. Norman Longmate is an English Author and Military Historian.He went to Worcester College, Oxford, where he read Modern

Trafalgar Square viewed from the northeast corner.

South Africa House, in the east. The High Commission of South Africa in London is located at South Africa House a building located in Trafalgar Square, London.

View across the square from the southeast to the National Gallery.

Fourth plinth

The fourth plinth on the northwest corner, designed by Sir Charles Barry and built in 1841,^[4] was intended to hold an equestrian statue of William IV, but remained empty due to insufficient funds. Sir Charles Barry FRS ( 23 May 1795 &ndash 12 May 1860) was an English Architect, best known for his role William IV (William Henry 21 August 1765 &ndash 20 June 1837 was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until ^[5] Later, agreement could not be reached over which monarch or military hero to place there.

In 1999, the Royal Society of Arts conceived the Fourth Plinth Project, which temporarily occupied the plinth with a succession of works commissioned from three contemporary artists. The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts Manufactures and Commerce ( RSA) is a British multi-disciplinary institution based in London. These were:

• Ecce Homo, by Mark Wallinger (1999)
• Regardless of History, by Bill Woodrow (2000)^[6]
• Monument, by Rachel Whiteread (2001)

Wallinger's Ecce Homo — the title of which means "behold the man" in Latin, a Biblical reference — was of a life-sized man. Mark Wallinger (born 1959 is a British artist best known for his sculpture for the empty fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, Ecce Homo (1999 and Bill Woodrow (born 1948) is a British sculptor. Woodrow was one of a number of British sculptors to emerge in the late 1970s the others including Rachel Whiteread CBE (born 1963 is a British Artist, best known for her Sculptures which typically take the form of casts and first Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin Atop the huge plinth, designed for larger-than-life statuary, it looked minuscule. Some commentators said that, far from making the man look insignificant, his apparent tininess drew the eye powerfully; they interpreted it as a commentary on human delusions of grandeur.

Whiteread's Monument, by an artist already notable for her controversial Turner Prize-winning work House and the Judenplatz Holocaust Memorial in Vienna, was a cast of the plinth in transparent resin, and placed upside-down on top of the original. The Turner Prize, named after the painter JMW Turner, is an annual prize presented to a British visual Artist under 50 Judenplatz is a Town square in Vienna 's Innere Stadt that was the center of Jewish life and the Viennese Jewish Community in the Middle Ages Vienna ( in Wien; see also other names) is the Capital of Austria, and is also one of the nine States of Austria. ^[7] Following the exhibition project, some wished to see it continue in this role.

Various companies have used the plinth (often without permission) as a platform for publicity stunts, including a model of David Beckham by Madame Tussauds during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. David Robert Joseph Beckham, and is also a member of the England national team. The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 17th staging of the World Cup, was held in South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 30. ^[4] The London-based American harmonica player Larry Adler jokingly suggested erecting a statue of Moby-Dick, which would then be called the "Plinth of Whales". Lawrence "Larry" Cecil Adler, ( February 10, 1914 &ndash August 7, 2001) was an American Musician, widely acknowledged Moby-Dick is an 1851 Novel by Herman Melville. The story tells the adventures of the wandering sailor Ishmael and his voyage on the whaleship Prince of Wales (Tywysog Cymru is a title traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom (and formerly the Kingdom A television ident for the British TV station Channel 4 shows a CGI Channel 4 logo on top of the fourth plinth. Station identification (sometimes called a sounder or stinger) is the practice of any type of Radio or Television station or network Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began Computer animation Computer-generated imagery (also known as CGI) is the application of the field of Computer graphics or more specifically 3D computer graphics

The best use of the fourth plinth remains the subject of debate. On 24 March 2003 an appeal was launched by Wendy Woods, the widow of the anti-apartheid journalist Donald Woods, hoping to raise £400,000 to pay for a nine-foot high statue of Nelson Mandela by Ian Walters. Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Donald James Woods, CBE ( December 15, 1933 – August 19, 2001) was a white South African journalist and anti- Apartheid Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (xolíɬaɬa mandéːla born 18 July 1918 is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative Ian Homer Walters ( April 9 1930 – August 6 2006) was an English sculptor. The relevance of the location is that South Africa House, the South African high commission, scene of many anti-apartheid demonstrations, is on the East side of Trafalgar Square. The High Commission of South Africa in London is located at South Africa House a building located in Trafalgar Square, London.

A committee convened to consider the RSA's late-1990s project concluded that it had been a success and "unanimously recommended that the plinth should continue to be used for an ongoing series of temporary works of art commissioned from leading national and international artists". ^[8] After several years in which the plinth stood empty, the new Greater London Authority assumed responsibility for the fourth plinth and started its own series of changing exhibitions:

• Marc Quinn: Alison Lapper Pregnant (unveiled 15 September 2005) – a 3. The Greater London Authority ( GLA) is the city-wide governing body for London, England. You may also be looking for the America baseball player Mark Quinn Marc Quinn (born 1964 is a British Artist, best known Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 6-m, 13-t^[4] marble torso-bust of Alison Lapper, an artist who was born with no arms and shortened legs due to a condition called phocomelia. This article is about the tonne or metric ton For other tons see Ton. Alison Lapper MBE (born 7 April 1965 in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire) is an English Artist who was Phocomelia (from Greek φώκη = "seal" plus μέλος (plural μέλεα = "limb" is a Congenital disorder involving the limbs ( Dysmelia ^[9]

• Thomas Schütte: Model for a Hotel 2007 (formerly Hotel for the Birds) (unveiled 7 November 2007) – a 5-m by 4. Thomas Schütte (Born November 16, 1954, Oldenburg, Germany) is an important German contemporary artist Events 1492 - The Ensisheim Meteorite the oldest Meteorite with a known date of impact strikes the Earth around noon in a Wheat Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 5-m by 5-m architectural model of a 21-storey building made from coloured glass. The work cost £270,000 and was funded primarily by the Mayor of London and the Arts Council of England. The Mayor of London is an elected politician who along with the London Assembly of 25 members is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London (see Arts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales Sandy Nairne, director of the National Portrait Gallery and chairman of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group that recommended Quinn's and Schütte's proposals to the Mayor in 2004, has said: "There will be something extraordinarily sensual about the play of light through the coloured glass. Alexander Robert "Sandy" Nairne (born 8 June 1953) is a British museum director and writer and since 2002 Director of the National Portrait . . . [I]t's going to feel like a sculpture of brilliance and light. "^[4][10]

In February 2008, Terry Smith, the chief executive of trading house Tullett Prebon, offered to pay more than £100,000 for a permanent statue acceptable to "ordinary Londoners" of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park in recognition of his work as commander of No. 11 Group RAF during the Battle of Britain, as it was this Group that was responsible for the defence of London. Air Chief Marshal ( Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a senior Air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force (RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB, KBE, MC and Bar, DFC, RAF ( 15 June 1892 - No 11 Group was a group in the Royal Air Force for various periods in the 20th century The Battle of Britain (German ''Luftschlacht um England'' is the name given to the sustained strategic effort by the German Luftwaffe during the summer and A Greater London Authority spokesman said: "There are many worthy suggestions for statues on the fourth plinth and some people feel passionately about each of them. All proposals will be judged on their merits including its current use as one of the most high profile sites for contemporary public art in London. The cost of erecting the current work on the plinth is £270,000. The cost of a permanent monument is likely to be considerably more. "^[11]

Pigeons

The square is a popular tourist spot in London, and used to be particularly famous for its pigeons (Rock Pigeons). Feral pigeons, also called city doves, city pigeons or street pigeons, are derived from Domestic pigeons that have returned to the wild Feeding the pigeons was a popular activity with Londoners and tourists. The National Portrait Gallery displays a 1948 photograph of Elizabeth Taylor posing there with bird seed so as to be mobbed by birds. Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE (born 27 February 1932) is a two-time Academy Award -winning English-American actress The desirability of the birds' presence has long been contentious: their droppings look ugly on buildings and damage the stonework, and the flock, estimated at its peak to be 35,000, was considered to be a health hazard. In 1996, police arrested one man who was estimated to have trapped 1,500 birds for sale to a middleman; it is assumed that the birds ended up in the human food chain.

In 2000, the sale of bird seed in the square was controversially terminated and other measures were introduced to discourage the pigeons, including the use of trained falcons. There several sports teams with the name Falcons or similar Atlanta Falcons, an NFL (American football team Springfield Falcons, an Supporters of the birds – including Save the Trafalgar Square Pigeons – as well as some tourists continued to feed the birds, but, in 2003, Ken Livingstone enacted byelaws to ban the feeding of pigeons within the square. Save the Trafalgar Square Pigeons (also known as STTSP) are an organisation that claim to oppose cruelty to wild birds especially Pigeons, in Trafalgar Kenneth Robert Livingstone (born 17 June 1945 is a British Socialist Politician. A bylaw (sometimes also spelled by-law or byelaw) most commonly refers to a city or municipal law or ordinance passed under the authority of a Charter ^[12] On 10 September 2007 the byelaws were secured sealing an outright ban on feeding birds in area of the square. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[13] There are now relatively few birds in Trafalgar Square and it is used for festivals and hired out to film companies, in a way that was not feasible in the 1990s.

Redevelopment

In 2003 the redevelopment of the north side of the square was completed. The work involved permanently closing the main Eastbound road there - diverting it around the rest of the square and demolishing part of the wall and building a wide set of stairs. This construction includes two Saxon scissor lifts for disabled access, public toilets, and a small café. Plans for a large staircase had long been discussed, even in original plans for the square. The new stairs lead to a large terrace or piazza in front of the National Gallery, in what was previously a road. For the Brazilian footballer see Wilson da Silva Piazza For the American baseball player see Mike Piazza For the coupé car Previously access between the square and the Gallery was via two busy crossings at the north east and north west corners of the square. The pedestrianisation plan was carried out in the face of protests from both road-users and pedestrians concerned that the diversion of traffic would lead to greater congestion elsewhere in London. However, this does not seem to have happened; the reduction in traffic due to the London congestion charge may be a factor. The London congestion charge is a fee for some motorists travelling within those parts of London designated as the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ

Christmas ceremony

There has been a Christmas ceremony every year since 1947. A Norway Spruce (or sometimes a fir) is given by Norway's capital Oslo and presented as London's Christmas tree, as a token of gratitude for Britain's support during World War II. Norway Spruce ( Picea abies) is a species of Spruce native to Europe. Firs ( Abies) are a genus of between 45-55 species of Evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. Norway ( Norwegian: Norge ( Bokmål) or Noreg ( Nynorsk) officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Constitutional (called Christiania from 1624 to 1878 and Kristiania from 1878 to 1924 is the Capital and largest city of Norway. A Christmas tree, Yule tree, holiday tree or Tannenbaum (fir tree is one of the most popular Traditions associated with the celebration World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including (Besides the general war support, Norway's Prince Olav, as well as the country's government, lived in exile in London throughout the war. Olav V (2 July 1903 &ndash 17 January 1991 was the King of Norway from 1957 until his death ) As part of the tradition, the Lord Mayor of Westminster visits Oslo in the late autumn to take part in the felling of the tree, and the Mayor of Oslo then comes to London to light the tree at the Christmas ceremony. The Lord Mayor is the title of the Mayor of a major city with special recognition Westminster is an area of Central London, within the City of Westminster.

Political demonstrations

Since its construction, Trafalgar Square has been a venue for political demonstrations, though the authorities have often attempted to ban them. The 1939 fountains were allegedly added on their current scale to reduce the possibility of crowds gathering in the square as they were not in the original plans.

By March of the year Nelson's column opened, the authorities had started banning Chartist meetings in the square. Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson 1st Viscount Nelson 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758– 21 October 1805 was a British For chartism in financial markets see Technical analysis, and for the British socialist journal see Chartist (magazine Chartism was A general ban on political rallies remained in effect until the 1880s, when the emerging Labour movement, particularly the Social Democratic Federation, began holding protests there. The labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better The Social Democratic Federation (SDF was established as Britain's first organised socialist Political party by H

On "Black Monday" (8 February 1886), protesters rallied against unemployment; this led to a riot in Pall Mall. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1886 ( MDCCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Pall Mall (pæl mæl is a street in the City of Westminster, London, situated in SW1 and parallel to The Mall, from St A larger riot (called "Bloody Sunday") occurred in the square on 13 November 1887. For other incidents referred to by this name see Bloody Sunday. Events 1002 - English king Ethelred orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St Year 1887 ( MDCCCLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common

One of the first significant demonstrations of the modern era was held in the square on 19 September 1961 by the Committee of 100, which included the philosopher Bertrand Russell. Events 335 - Dalmatius is raised to the rank of Caesar by his uncle Constantine I. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Committee of 100 may refer to Committee of 100 (Delaware, a lobbying group in Delaware United States Bertrand Arthur William Russell 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS (18 May 1872 – 2 February 1970 was a British Philosopher, Historian The protesters rallied for peace and against war and nuclear weapons.

Throughout the 1980s, a continuous anti-apartheid protest was held outside of South Africa House. More recently, the square has hosted the Poll Tax Riots (1990) and anti-war demonstrations opposing the Afghanistan war and the Iraq war. The Poll Tax Riots were mass disturbances or riots, which occurred in Britain during protests against the Community Charge (commonly known as the The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7 2001 as the U The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign ^[14]

The Square was also scene to a large vigil held shortly after the terrorist bombings in London on Thursday 7 July 2005. The 7 July 2005 London bombings (also called the 7/7 bombings) were a series of coordinated bomb blasts that hit London's public transport system during Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[15]

Sports events

On 21 June 2002, 12,000 people gathered in the square to watch the England national football team's World Cup quarter-final against Brazil on giant video screens which had been erected specially for the occasion. Events 524 - Godomar, King of the Burgundians defeats the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The English national football team represents England in international football and is controlled by The Football Association, the governing body for football The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 17th staging of the World Cup, was held in South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 30. The Brazil national football team is the national team of Brazil and is managed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF that represents Brazil in international ^[16]

In the early 21st century, Trafalgar Square has become the location to the climax for victory parades; firstly for the England national rugby union team to celebrate victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup on December 9, 2003, and then on September 13, 2005, when the climax of the victory parade for the England national cricket team's victory against the Australia national cricket team in The Ashes took place there. A victory parade is a type of Parade held in order to celebrate a victory The England national rugby union team represents England in Rugby union. The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby union world cup and was won by England. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 509 BC - The Temple of Jupiter on Rome 's Capitoline Hill is dedicated on the ides of September Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The England cricket team is the national cricket team which represents England and Wales. The Australian cricket team is the national cricket team of Australia. The Ashes is a Test cricket series played between England and Australia.

In 6 July 2005 Trafalgar Square was a gathering place for many London citizens to hear the announcement that they will host the 2012 Summer Olympics. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

In 2007, Trafalgar Square hosted the opening ceremonies of the Tour de France. History See also:CategoryTour de France by year The dominant sports newspaper in France

VE Day celebrations

Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) was 8 May 1945, the date when the Allies during the Second World War formally celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. Victory in Europe Day ( V-E Day or VE Day) was May 7 and May 8, 1945, the dates when the World War II Allies Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently vandalized and vandalism is reverted immediately Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers

Trafalgar Square was filled with British subjects wanting to hear the formal announcement by Sir Winston Churchill that the war was over: it was packed to bursting point. In British nationality law, the term British subject has at different times had different meanings Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874 Trafalgar Square was used as a place of celebration and people from all over the country came there.

On Sunday 8 May 2005 the BBC held a concert to celebrate the 60th anniversary of VE Day which was hosted by Eamonn Holmes and Natasha Kaplinsky. Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Victory in Europe Day ( V-E Day or VE Day) was May 7 and May 8, 1945, the dates when the World War II Allies Eamonn Holmes (born December 3, 1959) is a Northern Irish Television and Radio Presenter based in England Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky (born 9 September 1972 is an English newsreader. Many people who lived during the war attended, and many of the much younger generation, but most importantly many old veterans came and told the stories of their hardships during the six years of war.

New Year events

For many years, revellers celebrating the start of a New Year have gathered on the square, despite a lack of civic celebrations being arranged for them. The New Year is an event that happens when a Culture celebrates the end of one Year and the beginning of the next year The lack of official events in the square was partly because the authorities were concerned that actively encouraging more partygoers would cause overcrowding.

Hogmanay at Edinburgh, Scotland has instead been the focus for British New Year celebrations, although since 2005, a firework display centred on London Eye and the South Bank of the Thames, near the square, has given spectators a fitting start to the New Year. Hogmanay ( pronounced &mdash with the main stress on the last syllable is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is the tallest (its height is) Ferris wheel in Europe, and has become the most popular paid tourist

Other uses

Trafalgar Square was used as the location for portions of at least two sketches from the BBC comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus. Monty Python’s Flying Circus (also known as Flying Circus or during the final series just Monty Python) is a BBC Sketch comedy In a continuation of the sketch "Collecting Birdwatchers' Eggs", several people in tan trenchcoats wandered around the square mocking the famous pigeons. The sketch "Olympic Hide and Seek" also started here. This sketch featured Graham Chapman as British contestant Don Roberts and Terry Jones as Francisco Huron, his competitor from Paraguay in a contest that ended in a tie after more than 11 years. Graham Arthur Chapman (8 January 1941 &ndash 4 October 1989 was an English Comedian, Actor, Writer, Physician and one of the For other uses see Terry Jones (disambiguation. Terence Graham Parry Jones (born 1 February 1942) is a Welsh Chapman caught a taxi near the base of Lord Nelson's Column at the beginning of the sketch as Jones counted to a thousand. Trafalgar Square also appears in cartoon form in several of Terry Gilliam's animations. Terrence Vance Gilliam (born 22 November 1940) is an American -born British Writer, Filmmaker, Animator and member

Trafalgar Square is also featured in the comic version of V for Vendetta as the location that the V's meet the army and defeat them, without a single fired shot due to sheer numbers (and the work of the Original V). V for Vendetta is a ten-issue Comic book

The Square was also the location of the successful 'World's Largest Coconut Orchestra' world record attempt on 23 April 2007. Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The record was set on St George's Day as part of the celebrations, which was followed by a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. St George's Day is celebrated by several nations kingdoms countries and cities of which Saint George is the Patron saint, including England, the Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 film written and performed by the comedy group Monty Python ( Graham Chapman, John Cleese The World record attempt was linked with the use of coconuts during the film as well as the stage show Spamalot. Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

In May 2007, the square was grassed over with 2,000 square metres of turf for two days as part of a campaign by London authorities to promote "green spaces" in the city. ^[17][18]

In July 2007, the square held a parade and concert for the 60th independence of Pakistan from the British. The event included many legendary sports and celebrity performances and many exhibitions of Pakistan's heritage and culture. It was recorded to be the biggest gathering of expat Pakistanis in the whole of Europe. It was televised live with Geo TV, a private Pakistani television and the High Commission of Pakistan. Geo TV or GEO Television is a Pakistani Television network founded by Mir Shakil ur Rehman in May 2002

Every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar (21 October), the Sea Cadet Corps holds a parade in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson and the British victory over the combined fleets of Spain and France at Trafalgar. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg. The Areas of the Sea Cadet Corps are represented by seven 24-cadet platoons, made up of 12 male cadets and 12 female cadets. They represent Eastern Area, London Area, Southern Area, Southwest Area, Northwest Area, Northern Area, and the Marine Cadets. The National Sea Cadet Band also parades, as does a Guard and Colour Party.

Access

Nearest London Underground stations:

• Charing Cross- Northern and Bakerloo Lines) — has an exit in the square. The London Underground is a Metro system serving a large part of Greater London and neighbouring areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Charing Cross tube station is a London Underground station at Charing Cross in the City of Westminster with entrances located in Trafalgar Square The Northern line is a deep-level tube line on the London Underground, coloured black on the Tube map. The Bakerloo line is a line of the London Underground, coloured brown on the Tube map. The two lines originally had separate stations, of which the Bakerloo Line one was called Trafalgar Square; they were linked and renamed in 1979 as part of the construction of the Jubilee Line, which was later rerouted elsewhere. The Jubilee line is a line on the London Underground ("the Tube" in the United Kingdom.
• Embankment- District, Circle, Northern and Bakerloo Lines. Embankment tube station is a London Underground station in the City of Westminster, known for most of its history as Charing Cross. The District line is a line of the London Underground, coloured green on the Tube map. The Circle line, coloured yellow on the tube map is the eighth busiest line on the London Underground.
• Leicester Square- Northern and Piccadilly lines)

Bus routes running through Trafalgar Square:

• 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 87, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176, 453. Leicester Square is a station on the London Underground, located on Charing Cross Road, a short distance to the east of Leicester Square itself The Piccadilly line is a line of the London Underground, coloured dark Blue on the Tube map. London Buses route 6 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 9 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 11 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 12 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 13 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London. London Buses route 15 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 23 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 24 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 29 is a Transport for London contracted Bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 53 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 87 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 88 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 91 is a Transport for London contracted Bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 139 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 159 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 176 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. London Buses route 453 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, England.

See also

• Parliament Square
• Canada House

Other Trafalgar Squares

National Heroes Square in Bridgetown, Barbados was originally named Trafalgar Square in 1813, before the better known British thoroughfare, with another statue of Admiral Horatio Nelson featured. Parliament Square is a square outside the northwest end of the Palace of Westminster in London. Canada House is a Greek Revival building on Trafalgar Square in London that is part of the High Commission of Canada in London. The City of Bridgetown, metropolitan pop 96578 ( 2006) is the Capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. Barbados ( Portuguese word for bearded-ones, bɑrˈbeɪdoʊz -dɒs situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent Island nation National Heroes Square (formerly Trafalgar Square) is located in the capital and principal commercial centre Bridgetown, on the island-nation of Barbados The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The name change occurred on April 28, 1999. Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar)

There is also a Trafalgar Square in Barre, Massachusetts. Barre is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. ^[19]

Notes

Further reading

Articles

• Kelso, Paul. "Mayor attacks generals in battle of Trafalgar Square: Livingstone wants statues of 'unknowns' replaced", The Guardian, 2000-10-20. The Guardian (until 1959 The Manchester Guardian) is a British Newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony  
• Takkides, Stephan (2007-02-12). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Fourth Plinth, Location: City of Westminster. Blitzandblight. com. Retrieved on 2008-02-12. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the

Books

• Hargreaves, Roger (2005). Trafalgar Square : Through the Camera. London: National Portrait Gallery Publications. ISBN 1855143453.  
• Holt, Gavin (1934). Trafalgar Square. London: Hodder & Stoughton. Hodder & Stoughton is a British publishing house now an Imprint of Hodder Headline.  
• Hood, Jean (2005). Trafalgar Square : A Visual History of London’s Landmark through Time. London: Batsford. ISBN 0713489677 (hbk. ).  
• Mace, Rodney (1976). Trafalgar Square : Emblem of Empire. London: Lawrence and Wishart. Lawrence & Wishart is a British publishing company formerly associated with the Communist Party of Great Britain, formed through the merger of Martin Lawrence the Communist ISBN 0853153671. ISBN 085315368X.   Second edition published as Mace, Rodney (2005). Trafalgar Square : Emblem of Empire, 2nd ed. , London: Lawrence and Wishart. Lawrence & Wishart is a British publishing company formerly associated with the Communist Party of Great Britain, formed through the merger of Martin Lawrence the Communist ISBN 1905007116 (pbk. ).  

External links

General

• iOn The Square – guide to Trafalgar Square
• Photographs of Trafalgar Square from Michaelpead.co.uk
• Trafalgar Square Flickr photo pool
• Trafalgar Square webcam from Camvista.com
• Virtual tours of Trafalgar Square with grass

Fourth plinth

• Fourth plinth project
• Sir Keith Park Memorial Campaign – proposal to erect a statue in honour of the Battle of Britain war hero Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park

The Battle of Britain (German ''Luftschlacht um England'' is the name given to the sustained strategic effort by the German Luftwaffe during the summer and Air Chief Marshal ( Air Chf Mshl or ACM) is a senior Air officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force (RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Rodney Park GCB, KBE, MC and Bar, DFC, RAF ( 15 June 1892 -

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