Archive Digger

451 – The Battle of Châlons takes place in North Eastern France. The largest battle of the ancient world, the defeat of Attila the Hun preserves the independence of Western Europe from Hun occupation.

1187 – Saladin begins the Siege of Jerusalem. By Oct. 2 he concurs the city. Saladin allows Jews to resettle in Jerusalem. This action and others means that he is remembered in  Western history as a “chivalrous knight.”

1633 – Galileo Galilei is tried before the Inquisition for teaching a heliocentric view of the universe…Found guilty, history knows he was right. In 1992, Pope John Paul II apologized for the “misunderstanding.”

1881 – Following the assassination of James Garfield, Chester A. Arthur is inaugurated as the 21st President of the United States. Arthur has the dubious honor of being one of the most often forgotten presidents. Apparently, there is also debate as to whether or not he was born in the United States, not unlike the speculations that continue to hound Obama.

1891 – The first gasoline-powered car is unvieled in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

1946 – The first Cannes Film Festival is held.

1973 – Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in The Battle of the Sexes tennis match. Girl power reigns supreme.

2000 – British MI6 Secret Intelligence Service building is attacked by a Russian-built Mark 22 anti-tank missile.

2001 – In an address to the American people following September 11th, President George W. Bush declares “war on terror”.