A region in western Europe which includes Belgium and the Netherlands.
Low Countries
Fact of the Day
The name 'Gibraltar' comes from the Arabic for 'Tariq's Mountain' ('Jabal Tariq') after the general who led the invasion of Spain.
Quote of the Day
"Nothing can be said in his vindication, but that his abolishing Religious Houses and leaving them to the ruinous depredations of time has been of infinite use to the landscape of England in general.
"
~ Jane Austen on Henry VIII
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.