The papal coronation of Frederick III was the last such event in the city’s history. The last imperial coronation in the history of Rome was held on this date in 1452. Pope Nicholas V crowned Frederick III of Habsburg as Holy Roman Emperor. The coron...
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1958: The First Session of the European Parliament
The European Parliament began its first session on this day in 1958, in Strasbourg. It then functioned as a supreme parliamentary assembly body for the three European communities: the European Economic Community (EEC), the European Atomic Energy Comm...
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1406: Death of Famous Arab Historian Ibn Haldun
Ibn Haldun’s family moved to Tunisia from Andalusia, Spain. He developed a sort of proto-sociology. Ibn Haldun, one of the most influential Arabian thinkers died on this day in 1406, aged 73. He was born in Tunisia in 1332, making him a contemporary...
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1944: Nazis Secretly Occupied Hungary
On this day the German Army secretly took positions in Hungary. Namely, Hungary was, since before World War II, a signatory of the so-called Tripartite Pact, and an ally of the Third Reich. Way back in 1920, Admiral Miklos Horthy was at the helm of H...
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1849: Admiral von Tirpitz – The Father of German Naval Power
Von Tirpitz was responsible for the transformation of the German Navy into the world-class maritime force. The Nazis later named the largest battleship ever built in Germany after Tirpitz. On this day in 1849, the famous German Admiral Alfred von Tir...
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1816: Filippo Mazzei: An Italian who Helped the Americans Achieve their Independence
Filippo Mazzei, an interesting Italian who greatly helped the United States during their struggle for independence, died on this day. He was a contemporary of Giacomo Casanova (who was also his countryman), George Washington, and the Russian Empress...
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1946: French Overseas Departments in South America and the Indian Ocean
On this day in 1946, the French overseas territories Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion and French Guiana became departments, which made them practically equal to the departments in mainland France. Even today, France has five overseas departments in va...
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1945: Hitler Orders the Destruction of German Factories and Roads
On this day in 1945, when Allied troops penetrated into German territory, Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of German roads and industrial plants to resist the attackers with a “scorched earth” strategy. This infamous command was titled the “Demol...
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1739: Charles-François Lebrun – Napoleon’s Arch-Treasurer
Charles-François Lebrun, one of Napoleon Bonaparte's most important associates, was born on this day in 1739. Lebrun was as many as 30 years older than Napoleon, belonging to the oldest generation of his associates (in comparison, Napoleon's marshals...
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1955: Bruce Willis Born in Germany
American actor Bruce Willis was born in West Germany on this day in 1955. Namely, his father was an American soldier who was living in Germany at the time, while Bruce’s mother was German. Thus it happened that Bruce Willis was born in the village of...
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Did you know Aristotle believed the human brain is the body’s radiator?
Today it is universally known that the brain is the seat of human consciousness and the organ which controls the rest of our body. However, it took our ancestors a very long time to agree on this. Many ancient scholars downplayed the importance of th...
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1938: Mexico Nationalizes its Oil Industry
The Petróleos Mexicanos company is today one of the largest companies in the world, being worth around 400 billion dollars. The Mexican government under President Lázar Cárdenas nationalized the country’s entire oil industry on this day in 193...
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1965: What did the First Human Spacewalk Look Like
On this day, for the first time in the history of mankind, an astronaut conducted a spacewalk, i.e. left the spacecraft and stayed there wearing only a space suit. This historic walk was made by the Soviet astronaut (“cosmonaut”) Alexei Leonov. The S...
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1944: The Last Eruption of Mount Vesuvius Took Place during Bloody Battles in World War II
The last major eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Italy began on this day in 1944. It is interesting that this was precisely the time of much heavy fighting between German and Allied forces. Namely, the famous Battle of Monte Cassino, near the famous Bene...
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1933: Italian Prince Luigi Amadeo, Polar Explorer and Climber of K2, Dies in Africa
One of the mountain peaks in Uganda is named after Prince Luigi Amedeo. Prince Luigi Amedeo,Duke of Abruzza, died in Africa on this day in 1933. He was the crown prince of two countries – Italy and Spain. Namely, he was a member of the Italian...
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1555: The French Duke who Became the “Prince and Lord of the Netherlands”
This day in 1555 marked the birth of François, the youngest son of French king Henry II from the Capet-Valois dynasty. François’s mother was the famous queen Catherine de’ Medici, a member of the powerful Florentine Medici family. King Henry II died...
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1745: Sir Robert Walpole – The First Prime Minister in British History
He was also the Prime Minister with the longest mandate in British history – 20 years and 314 days Sir Robert Walpole, the man considered to be the first Prime Minister in the history of Great Britain, died on this day in 1745. He remained on...
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1990: The Biggest Art Theft in History
On this day in 1990 thieves stole works of art estimated to be worth up to $500 million. It happened in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the American city of Boston, early in the morning. At that time, namely, two thieves disguised as police of...
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1858: Rudolf Diesel was Born in France, not Germany
Rudolf Diesel, the famous inventor, was born on this day. Although he was of German nationality, it is interesting that Diesel was actually born in Paris. Namely, His parents were Bavarian immigrants in France. His father’s name was Theodor Diesel an...
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1314: The Last Grand Master of the Knights Templar Burned at the Stake
On this day the last Grand Master of the Templar Order – Jacques de Molay – was burned at the stake. This act was part of the disbanding process of the Order on charges of heresy. The Order of the Temple was dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312. It wa...
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1983: The Last King of Italy was Half Montenegrin
This day in 1983 marked the death of the last ruling king in the history of Italy – Umberto II of Savoy. He became king after the end of World War II, more precisely in May 1946, when his father abdicated in his favor. Monarchy was abolished in Italy...
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461: Who was St. Patrick – The Patron Saint of Ireland?
Today is the day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. He, according to Catholic tradition, died on this day around the year 461 and was born to Heaven. From among the historical sources, only two letters written by him are preserved, and are...
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180: Emperor Marcus Aurelius Dies near Northern Border of Roman Empire
The death of Marcus Aurelius marked the end of a long period of stability in the history of the Roman Empire, a sort of “golden age” during which it achieved its greatest territorial extent. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius died on this day in 180. This...
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1958: What is the Oldest Manmade Object in Space?
The Vanguard 1 satellite was launched by the Americans back in 1958, precisely on this day. It is interesting that NASA did not yet exist at the time. The oldest manmade body which is still in orbit around the Earth today is the Vanguard 1 satellite....
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1805: Napoleon Becomes King of Italy
On this day in 1805, Napoleon Bonaparte was declared the King of Italy. This was an additional title, since he had become the Emperor of the French a year before. The title King of Italy (French: Roi d’Italie) signified that Napoleon was the head of...
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1959: Why did the Dalai Lama Flee Tibet?
The Chinese violently suppressed the Tibetan uprising and, on this day, Chinese artillery shells started to fall on the Dalai Lama’s palace. On this day in 1959 the Dalai Lama fled from his native Tibet and went to India, where he lives to this day....
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45 BC: Caesar’s Last Battle
The last battle in Caesar’s military career took place on this day. Namely, it was then that he defeated his enemies near Munda in Hispania. The battle was fought in what is now southern Spain, in the area of Andalusia (the warmest part of Europe). C...
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1891: Horrific Passenger Ship Accident near Gibraltar
On this day in 1891 the passenger ship SS Utopia sank near Gibraltar, taking with it a total of 562 passengers and crew members. In addition, two sailors from another ship died while attempting to assist the survivors. It was a rather unusual acciden...
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1966: Submarine Finds a Lost Nuclear Bomb
On this day U.S. submarine Alvin managed to find a lost nuclear bomb near the Spanish coast. It was a hydrogen bomb that was dropped from the American B-52 Stratofortress bomber earlier that same year. Namely, that bomber collided with a plane during...
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461: Who was St. Patrick – The Patron Saint of Ireland?
Today is the day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. He, according to Catholic tradition, died on this day around the year 461 and was borne to Heaven. From among the historical sources, only two letters written by him are preserved, and are...