A massive megafauna fossil site has been found in southwest Queensland, including fossils of Diprotodons, giant kangaroos and wallabies, a large lizard and more.
For more visit:
http://www.perthnow.com.au/lifestyle/technology/mass-fossil-site-found-in-southwest-qld/story-fn5jm47w-1226404631697
China: Sichuan Earthquake Kills 69 000 People
On this day in 2008, a massive 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Sichuan province of China killing some 69 000 people.
For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Wenchuan_earthquake
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
Italy: The Battle of Pavia – The Italian War
On this day in 1525, the Battle of Pavia between Spanish and French forces was fought outside the walls of Pavia during what is known as the Italian War of 1521-26. The French suffered a massive defeat and Francis I was captured and forced to sign a treaty that ceded much ground to Charles V.
For more, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Pavia
Post War – A History of Europe Since 1945, by Tony Judt
I have now started to read ‘Post War,’ by Tony Judt. The edition I have was published in 2005 by The Penguin Press. It is a massive work of over 900 pages, that includes both photographs and maps.
The period of history being dealt with is post war Europe from the end of World War II to 2005. It includes the immediate aftermath of World War II, right through the Cold War period and the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Though I have only just started (yesterday) I have completed about 100 pages thus far, which has taken me through the preface, introduction and the first chapter, ‘The Legacy of War.’ The first chapter deals with the immediate aftermath of the war and its consequences for the people of Europe. It is an horrific picture of post war Europe and the devastation it had on the entirety of Europe – nations, cities and towns, peoples and families. It is the legacy of total war.
History for Today 