The process by which a legislative body formally levels charges of treason or significant wrongdoing against a senior government official.
Impeachment
Fact of the Day
Pope Innocent VIII allegedly drank the blood of three young Jewish boys in the hope of capturing their youth. He is also reported to have had the first blood transfusion, in 1492.
Quote of the Day
"Pray for me, now my calamity is at hand!
"
~ John Stubbs, just before having his hand removed for seditious writing, 1579
On This Day
796 King Æthelred I of Northumbria was murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada.
1881 The Natural History Museum in London opened its doors for the first time.
1906 Three thousand people died and 80% of the city was destroyed when a 7.8 Mw earthquake hit San Francisco.
1909 French heroine Joan of Arc was beatified, the first step towards canonisation.
1912 RMS Carpathia arrived in New York with 705 survivors from the Titanic disaster.
1955 Theoretical physicist and developer of the general theory of relativity, Albert Einstein died of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. He refused surgery, stating 'I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go.'
1968 London Bridge was sold for $2.46 million to American oil tycoon Robert P McCulloch. He had it dismantled and shipped to Arizona, where it was rebuilt brick by brick.
1980 Rhodesia became Zimbabwe and independent from Britain, with Robert Mugabe appointed as Prime Minister.