On This Day In History
July 15th
1099 City of Jerusalem is captured and plundered by Christian forces during the First Crusade
1381 John Ball, a leader in the Peasants’ Revolt, is hung, drawn and quartered in the presence of Richard II of England
1410 Battle of Grunwald (First Battle of Tannenburg, Battle of Žalgiris), one of Medieval Europe’s largest battles during Poland-Lithuanian Teutonic War. Polish King Władysław Jagiełło and Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas defeat Teutonic Ulrich von Jungingen
1799 The Rosetta Stone is found in the Egyptian village of Rosetta by French Captain Pierre-François Bouchard during Napoleon‘s Egyptian Campaign
1955 18 Nobel laureates sign the Mainau Declaration against nuclear weapons, later co-signed by 34 more laureates
Did You Know?
Alcoholic Anonymous founded in Britain
Today in History in 1948
Would You Believe?
Margarine is patented by Hippolye Méga-Mouriès for use by French Navy
Today in History in 1869
July 16th
622 Muslim Era begins – Muhammad begins flight from Mecca to Medina (Hijra)
1519 Public debate between Martin Luther and theologian Johann Eck at Pleissenburg Castle in Liepzig, during which Luther denies the divine right of the Pope
1809 La Paz, Bolivia declares its independence from the Spanish Crown and forms the Junta Tuitiva led by Pedro Domingo Murillo, the 1st independent government in Spanish America
1940 Adolf Hitler orders preparations for the invasion of Britain (Operation Sealion)
Did You Know?
1st banknotes in Europe are issued by Bank of Stockholm
Today in History in 1661
Would You Believe?
Kissing is banned in England (to stop the Black Death from spreading)
Today in History in 1439