Blackpool gets its name from a historic drainage channel that ran over a peat bog, discharging discoloured water into the Irish Sea, which formed a black pool (on the other side of the sea, “Dublin” (Dubh Linn) is derived from the Irish for “black pool”)
Throughout the Medieval and Early Modern period, Blackpool was a coastal hamlet in Lancashire’s Hundred of Amounderness.
In 1879 thousands of people descended upon Blackpool to witness the switching on of 8 large electric lights to illuminate the promenade, which is where it all started!
People originating from Blackpool are called Sandgrownians or Sandgrown’uns.
Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine, known as the Flying Machines, is the oldest amusement park ride in Europe, having opened in August 1904.
Blackpool airport was the first passenger airport in the UK.
In 1885, Blackpool introduced the world’s first permanent electric street tramway.
Despite being a base for the production of Wellington Bombers, Hitler wouldn't bomb Blackpool, as he wanted to have a swastika flying from the tower.
There were safety concerns about the tower due to the fact it's built with 2,500 tonnes of iron, five million bricks and is surrounded by buildings. So the tower was designed in a way that if it was ever to fall over it would fall into the sea instead of onto buildings around it.
In the season 1923-24, The Seasiders wore their tangerine kits for the first time. Referee Albert Hargreaves suggested them these colors after he watched Holland vs. Belgium.
Blackpool has more hotel beds than the whole of the hotels in Portugal.