In memory of a stunning victory

trafalgar02, originally uploaded by Jeevan_.

Trafalgar Square was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar in which the British won a victory over the combined French and Spanish navies.

Situated on the thoroughfare between the Strand and Aldwych on one side, and the Whitehall and Parliament on the other, the Trafalgar Square was built to commemorate the naval Battle of Trafalgar in which the British won a stunning victory over the combined French and Spanish navies in 1805.

The Battle of Trafalgar also proved that the British navy was much superior to that of the French navy under that invincible master of Europe, Napolean Bonaparte. The Square was designed and laid out by Victorian architect, Nash, between 1829 and 1850. In the central part of the Square is a huge column 172 feet high, on the top of which is the statue of Lord Nelson. The fluted granite column rises from a high base guarded by four lions.

The British Admiral Horatio Nelson, while leading the British victory in the battle of Trafalgar, lost his life on October 21, 1805. The victorious nation gave a befitting funeral to the victor and Nelson was buried in the premises of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. On the occasion of the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, the British navy organises one of the biggest gatherings of British boats and sailors in British waters to mark the occasion.

It is also expected that a few hundred of the descendants of the participants of the Trafalgar battle from all over the world will join the celebrations this year.