A deadly disease, also known as plague, that first raised its head in its current form in the 1340s and continued ravaging communities in Europe for the next three and a half centuries.
Black Death
Fact of the Day
Between 1513 and 1972 every single Danish monarch was called Frederick or Christian.
Quote of the Day
"Water knee deep and up to the waist in places. Rumours of being relieved by the Grand Fleet.
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~ British First World War soldier writing about the trenches in his diary
On This Day
1586 American colonists arrived in Plymouth with large quantities of tobacco. Smoking caught on quickly, though it was also used in tea.
1694 The Bank of England was founded by an act of parliament as a way to finance government debt by private subscription.
1943 The concentrated Allied bombing of Hamburg led to a three hour firestorm that killed approx 30,000 civilians.