German for 'lightning war'. An intense military campaign designed for quick victory.
Blitzkrieg
Fact of the Day
So rebellious were moustaches in 1850s Naples that the carabinieri could drag men into barbers and have them forcibly shaved.
Quote of the Day
"People in high or in distinguished life ought to have a greater circumspection in regard to their most trivial actions. For instance, I saw Mr [Alexander] Pope...to the best of my memory, he was picking his nose.
"
~ William Shenstone
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.