The ritual of public penance - including death by burning - of condemned heretics, imposed by the Inquisition.
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Fact of the Day
The first woman killed by a tiger in Britain died in 1705.
Quote of the Day
"Revolution is not an apple that falls when it's ripe. You have to make it fall.
"
~ Che Guevara
On This Day
43 BCE The assassination of Cicero, requested by Marc Antony. When his head was delivered to Anthony, his wife, Fulvia, spat on it and jabbed hairpins into his tongue.
1732 The Theatre Royal, now known as the Covent Garden Opera House, opened with a performance of the Beggar's Opera.
1787 Delaware became the first state of the modern United States.
1817 Rear-Admiral William Bligh died. He had been captain of HMS Bounty during the mutiny.
1941 The Japanese launched a surprise attack on the American naval base a Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, killing 2,403.
1982 Charles Brooks Jr became the first person to be executed by lethal injection, with a huge dose of 'truth serum'
