ISIS Said to Destroy Ancient Temple in Palmyra

Australia: Aboriginal Sacred Site Destroyed

The Aboriginal Sacred Site known in English as ‘Two Women Sitting Down,’ north of Tennant Creek at Bootu Creek in the Northern Territory was destroyed in 2011. The link below is to an article reporting on the fining of the company responsible.

For more visit:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/nt-miners-guilty-of-aboriginal-desecration/story-fn3dxiwe-1226690069366

Article: The Miracle Pine of Rikuzentakata

The link below is to an article that takes a look at the ‘miracle pine’ of Rikuzentakata, Japan. This pine tree survived the Japanese tsunami that destroyed every tree around it.

For more visit:
http://www.neatorama.com/2013/03/12/The-Miracle-Pine/

Today In History: 06 May 1937

The Hindenburg Zeppelin Disaster at Lakehurst, New Jersey, USA

On this day in 1937, the German zeppelin LZ 129 Hindenburg is destroyed while trying to land at Lakehurst in New Jersey, USA. 36 people are killed in the disaster.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindenburg_disaster

Today in History: 04 April 1905

20 000 People Killed by an Earthquake in the Kangra Valley, India

On this day in 1905, 20 000 people were killed in an earthquake (7.8) that struck the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh state, India. Mosts buildings in Kangra, Mcleodganj and Dharamshala were destroyed.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905_Kangra_earthquake

Today in History: 21 March 1788

USA: Great New Orleans Fire (1788)

On this day in 1788, New Orleans in Louisiana, was virtually destroyed by a fire that destroyed 856 of the 1100 buildings in the city. On the 8th December 1794 the city was again struck by a large fire, destroying 212 buildings.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_New_Orleans_Fire_(1788)
http://images.mitrasites.com/great-new-orleans-fire-(1788).html

 

Today in History: 20 March 1760

USA: A ‘Great Fire’ of Boston

On this day in 1760, the greatest fire up to that time (in Boston) destroyed a large area of Boston in the United States. Some 349 buildings, including homes and shops were destroyed, and over 1000 people rendered homeless. Though a great tragedy for Boston, this great city suffered from many like disasters, as can be seen in the article linked to below.

For more, visit:
http://massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=86
http://www.kellscraft.com/GreatFireOfBoston/GreatFireofBostonCh02.html
http://www.archive.org/details/godshandproviden00mayh

For an account of the Great Fire of Boston in 1872 (November 9  10), visit:
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofgreatfi00conw
http://www.kellscraft.com/GreatFireOfBoston/GreatFireofBostonContentPage.html

 

Today in History: 11 March 1864

The Great Sheffield Flood

On this day in 1864, the Dale Dyke Dam ruptured and Sheffield in England was hit by a flood that killed some 270 people. As the dam was being filled following its construction, the dam gave way and a massive volume of water swept down the Loxley Valley and smashed into several towns. Some 800 houses were also destroyed in the disaster.

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Sheffield_Flood

Also, newspaper articles at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mossvalley/mv2/sheffield-flood.html

Photos at:
http://mick-armitage.staff.shef.ac.uk/sheffield/photogal/picindex.html

Article: The Hindenburg Disaster

The following link is to an article (with footage) on the Hindenburg disaster that occurred on the 6th May 1937. The Hindenburg was a German passenger airship that was destroyed in New Jersey, USA.

For more, visit:
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/118343

Today in History – 19 April 1587

Sir Francis Drake Destroys the Spanish Fleet in Cadiz, Spain

War had broken out (Anglo-Spanish War of 1585 to 1604) between the Spanish and English – between Roman Catholic Spain and Protestant England. But it was more than just a religious war, for there were also political and economic agitations. English privateers were having a major impact on Spanish shipping. English support for the Netherlands in their fight for independence against Spain and also their support for an alternative Portuguese ruler (Portugal were in league with Spain) were a constant annoyance to the Spanish Empire. England saw Spain as a major threat to their security. Soon it was war, with Spain determined to invade England and crush Protestantism in its infancy.

Sir Francis Drake had been one of the thorns in Spain’s side, acting as a privateer in the Spanish Indies and taking many a Spanish ship as a prize. He was given command of an English fleet and set out to attack the Spanish on the 12th April 1587. On the 19th April 1587, Sir Francis Drake carried out what he described as having ‘singed the beard of the King of Spain,’ by sinking the Spanish fleet at harbor in the Bay of Cadiz, Spain. Up to 33 ships were destroyed and four were captured. This occurred the year prior to the sinking of the Spanish Armada during the attempted invasion of England.

When the fleet returned to England on the 6th of July, they had sunk over 100 enemy vessels and suceeded in setting back the planned Spanish invasion of England by a year. Drake had already sealed his place in history as one of England’s heroes, but his work had only just begun.