Birmingham is a city in the West Midlands region of England, located about 120 miles northwest of London. It is the second-largest city in the UK, with a population of 1,144,900 residents (2021 census)..
HISTORY
Birmingham as a settlement dates from the Anglo-Saxon era. After the Norman Conquest, Birmingham passed into the possession of the Bermingham family, and it was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), valued at 20 shillings.
By the end of the 13th century, a market town had grown up around the Bull Ring, the meeting point of several roads. Birmingham remained in the hands of the Bermingham family until 1527, when John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, gained control of the town.
The first building society was set up in Birmingham in 1775. The Birmingham-based "Society for the Permanent Benefit of the Working Classes" was established by a group of local artisans and craftsmen, who pooled their resources to create a mutual savings fund that would allow them to purchase their own homes.
Birmingham grew to international prominence in the 18th century at the heart of the Midlands Enlightenment , which saw the town at the forefront of worldwide developments in science, technology and economic organisation, producing a series of innovations that laid many of the foundations of modern industrial society. By 1791 it was being hailed as "the first manufacturing town in the world."
By the end of the 13th century, a market town had grown up around the Bull Ring, the meeting point of several roads. Birmingham remained in the hands of the Bermingham family until 1527, when John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, gained control of the town.
The first building society was set up in Birmingham in 1775. The Birmingham-based "Society for the Permanent Benefit of the Working Classes" was established by a group of local artisans and craftsmen, who pooled their resources to create a mutual savings fund that would allow them to purchase their own homes.
Birmingham grew to international prominence in the 18th century at the heart of the Midlands Enlightenment , which saw the town at the forefront of worldwide developments in science, technology and economic organisation, producing a series of innovations that laid many of the foundations of modern industrial society. By 1791 it was being hailed as "the first manufacturing town in the world."
John Cadbury first began selling tea, coffee and later chocolate on Birmingham’s Bull Street. He was listed in the 1828-29 Directory of Warwickshire as a tea dealer.
Despite being a major industrial and commercial center, Birmingham did not have a member of parliament until the passing of the Great Reform Act of 1832, which redistributed parliamentary seats and created new constituencies across the United Kingdom. After the Reform Act, Birmingham was given two members of parliament, and this was increased to three in the Redistribution of Seats Act of 1885.
Birmingham was granted borough status in 1838, which meant that it was allowed to elect its own town council. The first council was elected in that same year.
In 1889, Birmingham was granted city status by Queen Victoria in recognition of its rapid growth and importance as a center of industry and commerce. The granting of city status also led to the establishment of a Lord Mayor and other civic dignitaries.
Until the ballpoint was invented by László Bíró in 1938, Birmingham led the world in pen nib production. In the 1850s, Birmingham produced half of all the world’s pens.
In recent years, Birmingham has undergone significant redevelopment, with new public spaces, cultural institutions, and business districts emerging. The city is now a major hub for business, finance, and technology, and is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK.
FUN FACTS
Birmingham is known for its cultural diversity, with a large population of immigrants from around the world, which has contributed to its vibrant arts and food scenes.
Some notable attractions in Birmingham include the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the Symphony Hall, the Bullring shopping center, the National SEA LIFE Centre, and the Cadbury World chocolate factory. Birmingham is also home to several universities, including the University of Birmingham and Aston University.
There are many miles of restored canal walks, with Birmingham known as ‘Britain's Canal City’. The city is often noted for having more miles of canal than Venice.
The Birmingham Mint (1850) is the oldest continuously operating mint in the country, and is still the biggest private mint in the UK.
Birmingham's Spaghetti Junction, officially the Gravelly Hill Interchange, serves 18 routes on five levels, as well as crossing a canal, two railways and a river.
Birmingham City Council has one of the largest local authorities in Europe with 120 councillors representing 69 wards.
Sutton Park covering 2,400 acres is the largest urban park in Europe. It is also designated as a National Nature Reserve, as well as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The Library of Birmingham, which opened in 2013, has been described as the largest public library in the United Kingdom, the largest public cultural space in Europe, and the largest regional library in Europe. The library is located in Centenary Square in Birmingham and covers an area of over 31,000 square meters (334,000 square feet).
The Birmingham Mint (1850) is the oldest continuously operating mint in the country, and is still the biggest private mint in the UK.
Birmingham's Spaghetti Junction, officially the Gravelly Hill Interchange, serves 18 routes on five levels, as well as crossing a canal, two railways and a river.
Birmingham City Council has one of the largest local authorities in Europe with 120 councillors representing 69 wards.
Sutton Park covering 2,400 acres is the largest urban park in Europe. It is also designated as a National Nature Reserve, as well as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The Library of Birmingham, which opened in 2013, has been described as the largest public library in the United Kingdom, the largest public cultural space in Europe, and the largest regional library in Europe. The library is located in Centenary Square in Birmingham and covers an area of over 31,000 square meters (334,000 square feet).
Source Hutchinson Encyclopedia © RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.
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