Across centuries, this day has witnessed events that altered the course of empires, science, culture and global conflict. From the fall of great capitals to revolutionary discoveries and tragic acts of violence, these moments remain deeply etched in world history. Below is a chronological account of significant events that occurred on this day.
Fall of Baghdad – 1258
In 1258, Mongol forces led by Hulagu Khan captured Baghdad, then a thriving city of around one million people. The invasion destroyed the Abbasid Caliphate and resulted in the massacre of tens of thousands of residents. The city’s famed libraries and institutions of learning were devastated, bringing what many historians consider the end of the Islamic Golden Age.
Tycho Brahe Sketches the Tychonic System – 1578
In 1578, Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe drafted his model of the cosmos, later known as the Tychonic system. The theory proposed that the Sun orbited the Earth while the other planets revolved around the Sun. Although eventually replaced by heliocentric theory, it played a crucial transitional role in the development of modern astronomy.
First Voyage of the British East India Company – 1601
In 1601, a fleet of five ships from the British East India Company departed London on its maiden voyage to the East Indies. Commanded by James Lancaster aboard the Red Dragon, the expedition lasted nearly sixteen months. The journey marked the beginning of Britain’s long commercial and imperial expansion in Asia.
Glencoe Massacre – 1692
The Glencoe Massacre took place in 1692 when approximately 38 members of the MacDonald clan were killed by troops linked to the Campbell clan. The attack followed claims that the MacDonalds had failed to pledge allegiance in time to King William of Orange. The episode became one of Scotland’s most infamous acts of political betrayal.
Thomas Eakins Resigns from the Pennsylvania Academy – 1886
In 1886, American painter Thomas Eakins resigned from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts after controversy surrounding his teaching methods. His use of male nude models in mixed classes sparked outrage at the time. Despite the scandal, Eakins is now recognised as a pioneering figure in American realist art.
Einstein Presents Schwarzschild’s Black Hole Solution – 1916
In 1916, Albert Einstein introduced Karl Schwarzschild’s solution to his field equations at the Prussian Academy of Sciences. The solution described what would later be understood as a black hole, then purely theoretical. The development significantly advanced scientific understanding of gravity and spacetime.
Bombing of Dresden Begins – 1945
In 1945, Allied forces began the aerial bombing of Dresden during the final months of the Second World War. The raids triggered a massive firestorm that destroyed much of the city and killed more than 22,000 people. The bombing remains one of the most controversial military operations of the war.
16th National Film Awards – India – 1970
In 1970, the 16th National Film Awards in India honoured Satyajit Ray’s Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne with the Golden Lotus award. The film was praised for its imaginative narrative and musical richness. The recognition strengthened Ray’s standing as one of the most influential filmmakers in world cinema.
German Bakery Bombing in Pune – 2010
In 2010, a bomb exploded at the German Bakery in Pune, India, killing 10 people and injuring more than 60 others. The attack shocked the country and led to tighter security measures nationwide. It remains a significant chapter in India’s fight against terrorism.
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