Techotic

400 women with Elizabeth in any part of their name from more than 20 U.S. States turned up in an American town called Elizabeth in the northern Illinois community on Saturday to try to set a world record for the largest gathering of people with that name.

The British Queen Elizabeth II was invited, but she declined the invitation.

The event was designed to celebrate the community and honor famous Elizabeth, including one of the women for whom the community of about 700 people was named.

In 1832, Elizabeth Armstrong, one of at least three Elizabeth living in the Apple River Fort settlement, played a prominent role in defending the community during an attack in the Black Hawk War, a battle between Native Americans and settlers for land in the area, according to Gordy, who works at the Apple River Fort Historic Site.

Armstrong and the other Elizabeth were praised for their courage and honored in the naming of the town, Gordy said.

Gordy said the community plans to submit an application to Guinness World Records.

[via metro uk]