The English monarchs of the twenteeth century include Edward VII (1901 - 1910); George V George V (1910 - 1936); Edward VIII (briefly during 1936); George VI (1936 - 1952); and our current Queen Elisabeth II (1952 to present).

Tourism has been by far the main industry of Scarborough during the twentieth Century - as it had been an important industry for the past 400 years. The 1980s saw a substantial drop in tourism due to competition from cheap flights to holidays abroad. Scarborough is recovering though - with more individuals investing in the town, and bringing the Victorian era property up to twentieth century standards.

Scarborough's second main industry, fishing, (especially herring fishing) that started way back in the twelfth century remained strong well up until the middle of the twentieth century. Fishing, like tourism, took a sever hit during the second half of the century due to fishing stock depletion, but there is now a revival of the old harbour pier fishing industries. Tourists can now browse the harbour fishing markets to pick up a wide range of sea food options.

Many other tourist attractions opened in the early twentieth century include the South Bay Swimming pool (1915) now replaced by a garden area ; Boyes Department store (1916), the Corner Cafe (1924); Scarborough miniature railway (1931) north bay; the open-air theater (1932); Stephen Joseph Theatre at the site of the old Odeon(1996)

The last naval attack on the town took place at the beginning of the first world war in 1914, December 16, when a German fleet bombarded the town. Around 17 people in the town were killed and a further 80 or more were injured. They destroyed the seventeenth century Castle barracks. Damage to the lighthouse meant that it had to be re-built, and the Grand Hotel and Royal Hotel were also hit.

A further air attack took place on the town during the second world war in 1940 when a lone German bomber dropped a bomb on Potters Bar killing four people and damaging around 500 homes.

Please review the stamp pages under topic of interest for a more detailed look at how England faired during the twentieth century.