365 AD : Tsunami devastated the city of Alexandria, Egypt. The tsunami was caused by the Crete earthquake estimated to be 8.0 on the Richter scale. 5,000 people perished in Alexandria, and 45,000 more died outside the city.
64 AD : Great Fire of Rome began to burn in the merchant area of Rome, in Italy, and burnt completely out of control, for many days, until the fire was brought under control after 6 days. The fire destroyed … Continue Reading ››
1610 : Caravaggio the Italian painter died mysteriously, aged 38 (born in 1571). His paintings contain a realistic observation of the human state, in their physical and emotional portrayal, featuring dramatic lighting. Caravaggio had a formative influence on Baroque … Continue Reading ››
1429 : Charles VII of France was crowned the King of France in the Reims Cathedral after a successful campaign by Joan of Arc, during the Hundred Years’ War.
1228 : FRANCiS of ASSiSi the Italian Catholic friar was made a saint when he was canonized. He later became one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity, and became associated with patronage of animals and the … Continue Reading ››
1789 : Storming of the Bastille in Paris, France. Revolutionaries stormed The Bastille, a royal fortress and prison which signalled the beginning of the French Revolution. There were up to 1,000 armed civilian insurgents, 61 French Guards, and … Continue Reading ››
1863 : NEW YORK CiTY DRAFT RiOTS aka Manhattan draft riots started in Draft Week, with violent disturbances in Lower Manhattan, when new laws were passed by Congress in 1863 to draft men to fight in the American … Continue Reading ››