(Auschwitz II-)Birkenau was the largest camp at Auschwitz and became the centre for the Nazi killings of Jews, Poles, Roma, and many others. About 1.1 million people were killed there.
Birkenau
Fact of the Day
The name 'Plantagenet' probably comes from the sprig of broom (planta genista) Henry II's father Geoffrey used to keep in his helmet.
Quote of the Day
"The Englishman can tolerate a significantly greater dose of anarchy [than the Prussian].
"
~ Highly-decorated WWI and WWII veteran Ernst Jünger
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'