Categories: uncategorized
Date: 18 July 2008 12:21:38
History Today:
64 : Fire breaks near the Circus Maximus and much of Rome is destroyed. According to legend, he works in the cubicle next door, it was started by the Emperor Nero and he stood and fiddled around as the city burned. The fiddle wasn't invented then but it sounds good.
1290: Edward I decides not to pay his debts to his moneylenders. Instead he orders the expulsion of all Jews from his kingdom, as they were the chief moneylenders. Approx 17000 are forced to flee.
1610: Some house and commercial premises dies today. His name is Michaelangelo Merisi de Caravaggio.
1817: Jane Austin dies. She gave her name to one of Britain's worst car manufacturers and designers. Remember the Allegro Van den Plas and Princess?
1872: The Ballot Act introduces secret voting for elections. Previously anyone could see who you voted for. A similar idea is in effect in Zimbabwe today.
1925: Part 1 of one of the world's most boring, but influential, books is published. Any idea what it was? A clue: it has something to do with Edward I's edict.