Trafalgar+Square

Trafalgar Square is a public space and tourist attraction in Central London. The name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, which was when the British defeated France in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. The square was completed in 1845. At its center is Nelson’s Column, which is guarded by four lion statues at its base, and was named after Horatio Nelson, an officer that died in the Battle of Trafalgar. There are a number of statues and sculptures in the square. There are also fountains in the square. It is also used for political demonstrations and community gatherings, such as the celebration of New Year's Eve.

When the square was created in the 1840s, the fountains' primary purpose was not aesthetic, but rather to reduce the open space available and the risk of riotous assembly. They were originally fed by water pumped from an artesian well by a steam engine sited behind the National Gallery. The pump system was replaced with a new pump capable of sending an 80-foot jet of water into the air. A new LED lighting system was also installed with the London 2012 Summer Olympics in mind.

The square was once famous for its pigeons and feeding them was a popular activity. In September 2007 the Westminster City Council passed bylaws banning the feeding of birds on the square’s pedestrianized North Terrace and other pavements in the area. There aren’t a lot of birds in Trafalgar Square now. It is a lively place often used for a wide range of activities including: special events and celebrations like the Royal Wedding, Olympics One Year to Go, St Patrick's Day and Chinese New Year; filming and photography; and rallies and demonstrations. by:Jack Lohman