On 17 March 1968, an anti-Vietnam war rally with 10,000 protesters held at Trafalgar Square turned violent when a large group marched to the American embassy in Grosvenor Square. Hundreds of police surrounded the building, which at that time was not protected by anti-terror barricades. Violence flared and by the end of the day, 246 had been arrested, of which 7 were imprisoned and 91 police injured.

On 17 March 1845 the rubber band was patented by Stephen Perry, it was made to secure papers, early versions were made of vulcanised rubber

Anne Morrow might have regretted marry three times while dressed as a man when she was permanently blinded by missiles while being pilloried

The Serpentine was the world’s first artificial pond designed not to look manmade when the River Westbourne was diverted in 1730

Holy relics kept at Westminster Abbey included: Virgin Mary’s girdle; Mary Magdalene’s hair; a phial of Christ’s blood and St. Benedict’s head

So unpopular he was deposed in 1688 but before going into exile King James II petulantly threw the Great Seal of State into the Thames

The statute of Field Marshal Lord Woseley on Horse Guards Parade was cast in bronze from recycled from captured enemy cannon

Theatre Royal, Haymarket was the third theatre to get a royal licence, it was granted after the owner broke his leg falling from the Duke of York’s horse in 1766

The youngest rower to win the University Boat Race is Matt Smith who at 18 years 255 days won with Oxford in March 2000

The longest journey in a car (1988 Volkswagon Scirocco) powered by coffee was from London to Manchester (337km) in March 2010

At Forty Hall, Enfield 15 acres of grapes are growing – the purpose is to start London’s first commercial vineyard since medieval times

50 Berkeley Square was once the home of George Canning, Britain’s shortest-serving prime minister and claims to be the most haunted building in London

Trivial Matter: London in 140 characters is taken from the daily Twitter feed @cabbieblog.
A guide to the symbols used here and source material can be found on the Trivial Matter page.