'Blue Plaque' scheme proposed
On 17 July 1863, the ‘Blue Plaque’ scheme was proposed in Parliament by William Ewart. The scheme would place commemorative plaques on the houses of famous people in London. Initially sponsored by the Royal Society of Arts, this would become the ‘Blue Plaque’ scheme now managed by English Heritage. The scheme was inaugurated in 1868. The first commemorative plaque was installed that year on the house in which Lord Byron was born, Holles Street, London. Image: Example of a Blue Plaque to the Shelleys, Marchmont Street, London. This image is in the public domain in the United States.