The split from the Roman Catholic Church of protestants, inspired by people such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli.
The Reformation
Fact of the Day
Influenza first appeared in England in the 1480s.
Quote of the Day
"A man must needs close his eyes and clench his teeth, wry-mouthed and shuddering, and filtering the stuff rather than drinking.
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~ Peter of Blois, 12th century, on English wine
On This Day
1675 The foundation stone of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London was laid.
1792 The Tuileries royal palace that was home to Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette and defended by the Swiss Guard, was attacked by Parisians and the National Guard. Louis ordered the Swiss to cease fire, which led to the massacre of some 600 of their number. France was declared a republic and Louis was executed five months later.
1793 The Musée du Louvre was officially opened in Paris.
1842 The Mines and Collieries Act was passed, prohibiting women and children under the age of 10 from working underground.
1895 The first ever Proms concert took place at the newly-built Queen's Hall, London. The programme included Wagner, Bizet, and Haydn.
1945 A day after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan announced its intention to surrender, although it refused to contemplate a reduction in the power of the emperor.