The ruling committee of five established after the fall of Robespierre in 1795 in revolutionary France
The Directory
Fact of the Day
Between 1040 and 1746, only three English monarchs did not invade Scotland and/or repel a Scottish invasion of England.
Quote of the Day
"In this country, it is good to kill an admiral from time to time, in order to encourage the others.
"
~ Voltaire on Admiral Byng's execution
On This Day
1286 Alexander III of Scotland died of a broken neck after falling from his horse in the dark and tumbling down a hill.
1649 The House of Commons passed an Act abolishing the House of Lords. They called it 'useless and dangerous to the people of England'.
1932 The world's tallest steel arch bridge, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, was opened.
1945 Hitler issued his Nero Decree, a scorched earth policy that aimed to destroy all German infrastructure to prevent its use by the advancing Allies.