Egypt: Great Discoveries

Article: USA – The Great Fire of Chicago

The link below is to an article that takes a look at the Great Fire of Chicago.

For more visit:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/What_Did_Chicago_Look_Like_Before_the_Great_Fire.html

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: 17 January 1773

Captain James Cook: First European Below the Antarctic Circle

On his second voyage of discovery, Captain James Cook (with his crew) became the first European to cross below the Antarctic Circle. Cook was in command of the HMS Resolution, which was accompanied by the HMS Adventure at the time of the crossing.

During this second voyage, Cook never reached the Antarctic mainland. The purpose of this voyage was to find the supposed great southern land mass known as the Terra Australis. He had already discovered what was to become known as Australia during his first voyage, but a greater land mass was thought to lie further to the south.

Today in History – 8 May 1886

First Glass of Coca-Cola Sold: Coca-Cola now Celebrates 125 Years

OK, so this may not be of great historical note in the overall scheme of things, but since I am a huge fan of the drink I have to mention it. Coca-Cola is celebrating 125 years of existence in one form or another – what it is today is not what it was back in the beginning. In the United States, Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton invented (or perhaps stumbled upon would be more accurate) Coca-Cola while seeking a ‘remedy’ for headache and fatigue (among other claims of things it cured or helped). It was on this day in 1886 that he sold his first Coca-Cola drink at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1888 Asa Candler bought the rights to the recipe and began mass producing Coca-Cola as a soft drink. The rest they say is history.

For more visit:
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/ourheritage.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola

 

Today in History – 30 April 1492

Christopher Columbus: Receives His Commission of Exploration from Castile (Spain)

Christopher Columbus was born between the 22nd August and the 31st October 1451, in Genoa (now in Italy). Contrary to common belief Columbus did not discover America, but he did greatly increase European awareness of the New World.

The maritime career of Christopher Columbus began when he was 10 years old. In the years that followed he undertook a number of journeys on the open sea in various roles on various ships. In 1485 he began looking for an opportunity to explore and discover a western route to Asia. He presented his ideas to the king of Portugal and was ultimately frustrated after several attempts. He also tried England, Genoa, Venice and then Spain (Castile) in 1486. He was frustrated in all these attempts (England eventually agreed, but by that time Columbus was already in league with Castile), but the king and queen of Castile (Ferdinand II and Isabella I) retained his services and after many attempts he finally gained the support of Ferdinand II and Isabella I on this day in 1492.

In all, Columbus would make four voyages between Castile and America. His life would end in great disappointment, having been jailed and having the terms of his contract with Castile overturned due to various claims and convictions of abuse of power and mismanagement of the domains over which he governed in the New World. Columbus died on the 20th May 1506 in Valladolid, Crown of Castile (now in Spain).

 

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

 

Today in History – 21 April 1509

King Henry VIII: Begins His Reign in England

Henry VIII was born Henry Tudor, to Henry VII (King of England) and Elizabeth of York on the 28th June 1491. His reign began on this day in 1509 and continued until his death on the 28th January 1547. He succeeded his father, Henry VII as King of England, Lord of Ireland and claimant to the throne of France. his reign lasted over 37 years and was perhaps one of the greatest (certainly one of the most powerful) kings in English history – not that this necessarily made him a great man.

Henry VIII is well known for his six wives and what became of them. He is also known for the part he played in the English Reformation. His split with the Roman Catholic Church saw the advance of Protestantism and the Reformation in England, though he remained theologically ‘Roman Catholic.’

For more on Henry VIII and the Tudor Dynasty, visit:
http://www.tudorhistory.org/