Mount Pele'e Erupts

8 MAY
Of the 30,000 inhabittants of St Pierre, the capital of the Caribbean island of Martinique, a drunk in jail was the only survivor when Mount Pele'e erupted this morning. Shortly before 8 am the volcano threw out a cloud of glowing gas that engulfed the port within minutes. An eyewitness on a ship in the harbour stated that a "wave of fire was on us and over us like a lightning flash". Latest reports confitm that all the in the town have been destroyed.

Me'lie`s Excels

1 MAY
A Voyage to the Moon, the latest film from French director Georges Mi'lie`s, has been made using sophisticated new techniques. Audiences will be spellbound at the special effecrs that run throughout this 13-minute production, which took three months to make and cost a record 10,000 francs. The plot, loosely based on a novel by Jules Verne, tells the story of six scientists who visit the moon and are captured by strange aliens.

''Modern Style'' Makes A Splash

20 APRIL
An exciting new exhibition of ''modern style'' art, or "Art Nouveau" as it is known in France, opened today at the Socice'te' Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris. This decorative arts style has been developed by artists all over Europe for the past few years and is charactized by snake-like lines and patterns. It can be seen in many places, from the posters of Alphonse Mucha and the jewellery of Rene' Lalique, to the design of the Me'tro stations in Paris and furnshings for the homes.

Massacre Of Jews

16 APril
In an organized attack, or pogrom, that began two days ago, Russian peasants have murdered hundreds of Jews in Kishinev, southwestern Russia. The appalling slaughter is an act of revenge for the killing of a Christian boy. Local people suspect that both he, and a girl that went missing last week, were killied by Jews. Police are turning a blind eye while the Jewish population, which makes up almost half the 100.000 inhabitants of the town, is brutally attacked, and homes and busunesses are set on fire and destroyed.

Across The Atlantic

Piloting a Vickers-Vimy biplane, Captain John Alcock from Britain and US navigator Lieutenant Arthur Brown became the first people to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean. They left Newfoundland on 15 June 1919 flying through fog and sleet storms to crash land in an Irish bog 16 hours 12 minutes later. They covered the 3,040km (1,900 miles) at an average speed of 192 Km/h (120 mph).

Keeping Warm
Early aircraft gave little protection to the pilots, who sat in uncomfortable seats that were open to the elements. Wool-Lined leather jackets, sheepskin-lined gloves and boots, windproof leather helmets, and goggles were all needed to keep out the cold.


Air Shows
Displays of flying skills quickly became popular as bold young aviators demonstrated inredible feats above the heads of adoring crowds. Many became superstars- Louis Paulham earned more than one million francs from his flying exploits.

JUNIOR Chironicle of the 20th Century: Ble'riot Crosses The Channel

JUNIOR Chironicle of the 20th Century: Ble'riot Crosses The Channel

Ble'riot Crosses The Channel

In July 1909, French aviator Louis Ble'riot became the first person to fly across the English Channel. He took off from Sangatte, France, and flew northwest to land at Dover Castle in England after a flight lasting 43 minutes. He had designed the Type XI monoplane with control wires to warp the wings and made it with strong, flexible woods. After his flight, Ble'riot became an international celebrity. Move than 100 monoplanes were sold and he became the first large-scale aircraft manufacturer.