Today in History: August 23

On this day in 1305, William Wallace was executed for high treason.

For more visit:
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/08/this-day-in-history-august-23rd/

Today in History: 24 March 1944

The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III

On this day in 1944, during World War II, 76 POWs began their break out from Stalag Luft III. The POW camp was located in Lower Silesia, Germany. 73 of the escapees were recaptured and 50 were executed, including 5 Australians.

The break out was made into a film in 1963, called, ‘The Great Escape.’

For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_Luft_III
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Escape_(film)

Today in History: 28 February 1525

Mexico: Aztec Ruler Cuauhtémoc Executed

On this day in 1525, Aztec Ruler Cuauhtémoc was executed by the Spanish invaders of his homeland.

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

Today in History: 30 January 1649 and 30 January 1661

England: Charles I Beheaded

On this day in 1649, Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649) was executed by being beheaded in England. His reign had begun on the 27th March 1625.

For more on Charles I visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_England

 

England: Ritual Execution of Oliver Cromwell

On this day in 1661, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, was ritually executed two years after his death and on the same day as the king he deposed.

For more on Oliver Cromwell visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell

Today in History: 21 January 1793

France: Execution of Louis XVI

Louis XVI began his reign on the 10th May 1774 as King of France and Navarre, before becoming King of the French on the 1st October 1791. His reign ended on the 21st September 1792 and he was executed (beheaded) by guillotine on this day in 1793 at the Place de la Revolution.

Louis XVI supported the Americans in the War of Independence, prior to the French Revolution which ended the monarchy in France and therefore his reign.

Today in History – 23 April 1661

England: Charles II Crowned in Westminster Abbey

Following the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658, political events led eventually to the restoration of the English monarchy and the ascension of Charles II to the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland. His father, Charles I, was executed by Oliver Cromwell at Whitehall on the 30th January 1649 towards the end of the English Civil War and Charles fled the country. With the death of Cromwell and the collapse of the English Commonwealth, Charles was invited to return to England and did so with great public fanfare on the 29th May 1660. He was crowned in Westminster Abbey on the 23rd April 1661.

For more on Charles II, visit:
Charles II