12 September – On this day the battle of Marathon took place during the first Persian invasion in 490 BC. Continue reading “490 BC – The Battle of Marathon”
On This Day – 16 December 1944
The Germans launched their last major offensive of World War II, known to most as the Battle of the Bulge the Germans originally called it Unternehmen Wacht am Rhein (operation watch on the Rhine). This battle which lasted until the 25th of January 1944 became the bloodiest battle of World War II for the Americans, The Department of the Army recording US losses at more than 108,000.
On This Day – 7 December 43BC
Cicero was one of the greatest orators of Rome, and lived through some of the most turbulent events at the end of the Republic. He was born on the 3rd of January in 103 BC in Arpinum, to a well-off equestrian family.
Continue reading “43 BC – Marcus Tullius Cicero is assassinated”
On This Day – 14 November 1941
The HMS Ark Royal was sunk
Commissioned in November 1938, the HMS Ark Royal was sunk less than three years later on 14 November 1941 by the German U-81. The HMS Ark Royal was an innovative Royal Navy aircraft carrier serving during WWII, the first on which the flight deck and hangers were an integral part of the hull.
On This Day – 10 November 1202
The siege of Zara began. This was the first major action of the fourth crusade and the first attack against a Catholic city by Catholic crusaders. The attack was forbidden by Pope Innocent III who threatened the crusaders with excommunication.
13 August
Octavian celebrates the first of three consecutive triumphs at Rome, this one celebrated his victory over Illyricum. The war against Illyricum actually took place several years earlier.
Continue reading “29 BC – Octavian celebrates a triumph over Illyricum”
3 August
Project MKUltra was the name given to a series of illegal experiments being conducted on human subjects by the CIA.
Continue reading “1977 – The US Senate begins hearings into MKUltra”
2 August
PT 109 the torpedo motor boat commanded by Lieutenant Junior Grade John F Kennedy the future president of the United States of America was rammed by the Japanese Destroyer Amagiri.
2 August
The Marihuana tax act of 1937 placed a tax on the sale of Marijuana. The act was drafted by Harry Anslinger and introduced by Robert Doughton a North Carolina Republican. Continue reading “1937 – The Marihuana tax act is introduced”
2 August
The 1914 German Occupation of Luxemburg was the first of two German occupations, the Germans claimed the occupation occurred in order to support their forces in France. Continue reading “1914 – The German Occupation of Luxemburg”
On This Day – 1 August
The Batavians a sub-group of the Germanic Chatti tribe who inhabited the Rhine delta area initiated a revolt against the Roman Empire.
On this day – 1 August
Pertinax the 19th emperor of the Roman Empire was born. Pertinax was the son of a freed slave yet managed to rise to the highest available position in the Empire, albeit for a very short time.
Continue reading “AD 126 The Roman Emperor Pertinax was born”
On This Day – 1 August
The Warsaw Uprising, a major operation to liberate Warsaw from the Nazi’s during WWII, began. Continue reading “1944 – The Warsaw Uprising”
26 July
Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great became emperor on this day when acclaimed emperor by his troops. Whilst he was campaigning against the Picts in Britain with his father. Continue reading “Constantine I Declared Emperor by his troops”
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