11Gin & Tonic
British colonials in India used gin to cover the bitter taste of anti-malarial quinine tonic, thus creating the Gin & Tonic.
12East India Company
In the early 19th century, the East India Company cut off the hands of hundreds of people in Bengal in order to destroy the indigenous weaving industry in favor of British textile imports.
13Right to Light
The English common law known as the doctrine of "Ancient Lights," holds that people can have a reasonable expectation of sunlight; and that when they do, their neighbors ought not to take it away.
14Right of Foreigners to Vote
Citizens of the Commonwealth (Canada, Australia ect.) are allowed to vote in the United Kingdom.
15British Crown Jewels
During WWII, the British crown jewels were stored in a biscuit tin and kept in a chamber under Windsor Castle. During the construction, they covered it at night with a tarp so German airplanes couldn't tell what's going on. It was so secretive that not even then-Princess Elizabeth was told.
16British Empire
The British Empire was the largest empire the world has ever seen, claiming 23% of the world's land area with a population of 458 million.
17Tasmanian Aboriginals
British colonizers infected Tasmanian Aboriginal women with venereal diseases that left a significant percentage of the population unable to reproduce. This was one of several factors leading to the complete eradication of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
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15 Most Controversial & Costly Blunders in History
18Slave Owner Compensation
40% of British government expenditure in 1833 was compensation paid to slave owners following abolition. The amount borrowed to fund this wasn’t paid of until 2015.
19Gibraltar
The British government in the 1960s feared that their control of Gibraltar was at risk from monkey lesbianism.
20British Suffragettes
British suffragettes used toffee hammers to break windows as part of their successful protests for women voting.
