975 Edgar the Peaceful (died), English king (born 943) 1099 First Crusade: 15,000 starving Christian soldiers march in a religious procession around Jerusalem as its Muslim defenders look on. 1497 Vasco da Gama sets sail on the first direct European voyage to India. 1538 Diego de Almagro (died), Spanish explorer (born 1475) 1579 Our Lady… Continue reading
1053 Emperor Shirakawa of Japan (born) (died 1129) 1304 Pope Benedict XI (died) (born 1240) 1307 Edward I of England (died) (born 1239) 1456 A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death. 1520 Spanish conquistadores defeat a larger Aztec army at the Battle of Otumba. 1534 European colonization of… Continue reading
What does it take to get gun owners, Second Amendment advocates, the NRA, and anyone who carries a weapon concealed or otherwise to get their collective heads out of the sand? The recent mass killing at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC is yet another tragic incident of innocent victims murdered with firearms. Frankly,… Continue reading
649 Goar of Aquitaine (died), French-German priest and bishop (born 585) 1189 Henry II of England (died) (born 1133) 1189 Richard I “the Lionheart” accedes to the English throne. 1249 Alexander II of Scotland (died) (born 1198) 1348 Pope Clement VI issues a papal bull protecting the Jews accused of having caused the Black Death…. Continue reading
465 Ahkal Mo’ Naab’ I (born), Mayan ruler (died 524) 967 Emperor Murakami of Japan (died) (born 926) 1029 Al-Mustansir Billah (born), Egyptian Caliph (died 1094) 1295 Scotland and France forms an alliance, the so-called “Auld Alliance”, against England. 1539 Anthony Maria Zaccaria (died), Italian saint (born 1502) 1547 Garzia de’ Medici (born), Tuscan son… Continue reading