Today in History - June 22 | How one actor's decision changed the way everybody thinks
The live-action Disney film Treasure Island was released for the first time on June 22, 1950.
While reasonably popular upon release, the film had a remarkable cultural resonance among the generations too young to have seen it.
In the minds of most people, pirates act a certain way, look a certain way and talk in a very specific way.
The way that pirates talk specifically derives from a decision made by Robert Newton, who played Long John Silver in this iteration of Treasure Island.
The English actor decided that his character would speak in an especially broad West Country accent.
The accent was unfamiliar to non-English ears, and thus became intrinsically linked to piracy.
This is in spite of the fact that pirates came from all over Britain, Europe and the world at large.
Nevertheless, in movies since 1950's Treasure Island, pirates have spoken as if they are from the West Country.
The HMS Victoria sank in 15 minutes after a collision with another Royal Navy vessel during manoeuvres off the coast of Syria on June 22, 1893.
Vice Admiral George Tryon gave orders for the HMS Victoria and the HMS Camperdown to turn towards each other.
Despite a collision being imminent, no junior officer dared to confront Tryon about his error.
As his ship rapidly sank, Tryon reportedly said: "It is all my fault."
He and 357 other crew were killed in the disaster.
Meanwhile in London, his wife was holding a party at their home.
According to popular legend, Tryon appeared in a drawing room in his full naval regalia to several guests.
He then reportedly walked down a staircase and vanished into another room.
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