An epoch which lasted from about 34 million years ago until about 23 million years ago.
Oligocene
Fact of the Day
In 1506 the Principal of Magdalen Hall, Oxford, was accused of baptising a cat as part of a conjuring ritual to find buried treasure. He later became Bishop of London and a notorious heretic hunter, and was mockingly known as 'Bloody Bishop Christen-cat'.
Quote of the Day
"I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.
"
~ Margaret Thatcher
On This Day
41 Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus aka Caligula (Little Boots) was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard he bullied.
76 The future Roman Emperor Hadrian was born in Spain. He was considered one of the 'Five Good Emperors'.
1848 James Marshall discovered gold along the banks of Sutter's Creek, sparking the California Gold Rush.
1943 In Casablanca President Roosevelt and Prime Miniter Winston Churchill concluded that only unconditional surrender by the Nazis would end the war.
1965 Winston Churchill died after suffering a severe stroke nine days earlier. He was 90 years old.
1972 Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was discovered hiding in the jungles of Guam, unaware that World War II had ended.