A European-wide conflict that happened between 1701 and 1715 that was triggered when the Habsburg ruler of Spain, Charles II, died childless.
War of the Spanish Succession
Fact of the Day
Frederick the Great always dressed in a threadbare military uniform. He considered a crown a useless hat which let the rain through.
Quote of the Day
"Total abstinence is so excellent a thing that it cannot be carried to too great an extent. In my passion for it I even carry it so far as to totally abstain from total abstinence itself.
"
~ Mark Twain
On This Day
1914 The Panama Canal opened to commercial traffic.
1941 Josef Jakobs, a Luxembourg-born German spy, became the last person to be executed at the Tower of London, by firing squad.
1945 The Japanese announced their intention to surrender unconditionally in the Second World War. It came into effect on 2 September 1945.
1947 India gained independence from the British Empire.
1969 The first Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York.