Today is the BICENTENNIAL of the birth of England’s famous Queen Victoria. Victoria reigned over the British Empire from 1837 to her death in 1901, giving her name to the Victorian Era. She was the first monarch to bear the title Empress of India. Her reign was longer than any of her predecessors until the current British Queen, Elizabeth II, surpassed her record in 2016.
Victoria’s birthday was celebrated as Victoria Day for many years in the United Kingdom, which has now replaced it with the more “inclusive” celebration of Commonwealth Day in March. It’s still a holiday in Canada, though they’ve adopted America’s odd habit of moving people’s birthdays to Monday, so it was observed earlier this week.
To Arlys and me, Victoria Day seems like the ideal steampunk holiday, which is why we have released two of our Professor Ione D books on this day in previous years. Sadly, we have not yet completed the third in the series – Professor Ione D and the Steam-Powered Minotaur – but it’s still on our list. Keep watching this space for more information on all things Ione and Victoria