A war fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648 that led to the death of about eight million people from battle, disease, and starvation. It started as a religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, but ultimately became about power in Europe.
Thirty Years' War
Fact of the Day
Paris society was rocked by scandal in 1787, when Madame Vigée Le Brun painted herself with a wide smile on her face.
Quote of the Day
"When the sarcophagus is full, we don't put another corpse in
"
~ Medieval Proverb
On This Day
1637 English poet and playwright Ben Jonson died, aged sixty-five.
1806 The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved following Francis II's abdication after his defeat by Napoleon at Austerlitz. It had been in existence in some form for a thousand years.
1945 The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, during the Second World War. 80,000 people were killed in the explosion, and tens of thousands subsequently died from radiation exposure.
1962 Jamaica gained independence from the British Empire.