What happened on July 18th?

Good morning readers!

Today in 64 AD, the Great Fire of Rome broke out during Emperor Nero's reign, engulfing the city and leaving a lasting mark on history. This massive blaze changed the face of Rome and led to many rumors about Nero's involvement. 

🔥 64: The Great Fire of Rome Broke Out during Nero’s Reign

On the night of July 18, 64 AD, a devastating fire broke out in the city of Rome, which would come to be known as the Great Fire of Rome. The fire started in the merchant shops around Rome's chariot stadium, the Circus Maximus. Fueled by strong winds and the flammable materials used in Roman construction, the blaze spread rapidly through the city's tightly packed buildings, raging for six days before it was brought under control. By the time the flames were extinguished, ten of Rome's fourteen districts had been destroyed or severely damaged.

Emperor Nero's response to the disaster was immediate and involved extensive relief efforts. He opened his palaces to provide shelter for the homeless and arranged for food supplies to be brought in from neighboring towns. Despite these efforts, rumors spread that Nero had started the fire himself to clear land for a new palace complex, the Domus Aurea, or Golden House. To divert suspicion from himself, Nero blamed the Christians, a relatively new and unpopular religious group, and subjected them to severe persecution. This included torture and execution, as recorded by the Roman historian Tacitus.

The aftermath of the fire had significant consequences for Rome. Nero's rebuilding plans included the creation of wider streets, the use of brick and stone instead of wood for construction, and the implementation of building codes to prevent future fires. The Great Fire of Rome not only reshaped the physical layout of the city but also left a lasting impact on the Christian community, marking one of the earliest and most brutal persecutions of Christians in Roman history. Read about Emperor Nero and about early Christians in How Did Christianity Spread: Origins, Expansion, and Impact.

⚔️ 1195: The Almohads Defeated the Forces of King Alfonso VIII

On July 18, 1195, the Almohads, a powerful North African Muslim dynasty, defeated the forces of King Alfonso VIII of Castile in the Battle of Alarcos. The battle took place near Alarcos, in present-day Spain, and was a significant victory for the Almohads under the leadership of Caliph Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur. The Castilian army suffered heavy losses, and the defeat halted Christian advances in the Iberian Peninsula, strengthening Muslim control in the region. This victory also delayed the Christian Reconquista and solidified Almohad dominance for several years.

⚔️ 1918: French WWI General Ferdinand Foch Stroke Against German Forces

In July 1918, French General Ferdinand Foch launched a decisive counteroffensive against German forces during World War I. This operation, part of the Second Battle of the Marne, marked a turning point in the war. Foch's strategy successfully halted the German advance and initiated a series of Allied offensives that would eventually lead to the end of the war. Read more about WWI and what caused it in What Caused World War 1? Political, Imperialistic, and Nationalistic Factors.

📖 1925: Hitler Publishes Mein Kampf

Adolf Hitler's autobiography and political manifesto, Mein Kampf, was published. The book outlined his ideology and future plans for Germany, including his views on race and anti-Semitism. Mein Kampf was written while Hitler was in jail. Read more about the failed event that got him there in the first place in Beer Hall Putsch: Causes, Outcomes, and Hitler’s Rise to Power.

1940: Franklin D. Roosevelt Was Nominated for Third Term

Franklin D. Roosevelt was nominated for an unprecedented third term as President of the United States at the Democratic National Convention. He went on to win the election, serving a total of four terms during a period that included the Great Depression and World War II.

✍️ 1947: Harry S. Truman Signed Second Presidential Succession Act

President Harry S. Truman signed the Presidential Succession Act of 1947, establishing the line of succession to the presidency, placing the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate immediately after the Vice President.

⚔️ 1944: Allied Forces Captured the French Town of Saint-Lô

Allied forces captured the town of Saint-Lô in Normandy during World War II. This victory was crucial in the Battle of Normandy, aiding the Allies' efforts to liberate France from German occupation. Read more about WWII and its events in WW2 Timeline and Dates.

🌟 Born on This Day in History

1811: William Makepeace Thackeray, British Author

William Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist best known for his satirical works, particularly Vanity Fair, which provided a vivid portrait of British society in the early 19th century.

1918: Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa

Nelson Mandela became the first Black president of South Africa and was a key figure in the struggle against apartheid. He spent 27 years in prison and later received the Nobel Peace Prize. Nelson Mandela’s struggle in prison was just a drop in the ocean of his life. Read more about Nelson Mandela in Stubborn Sense of Fairness: Nelson Mandela’s Life-Long Struggle for Peace and Equality and about apartheid in Apartheid: Beginning and End, and the History of South Africa.

1921: John Glenn, Astronaut and United States Senator

John Glenn was an astronaut and the first American to orbit the Earth. He later served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio. In 1998, at the age of 77, he became the oldest person to fly in space.

💔 Died on This Day in History

1610: Caravaggio, Italian Painter

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian Baroque painter known for his realistic depiction of human figures and dramatic use of light and shadow. His works had a significant influence on the Baroque movement.

1762: Peter III, Emperor of Russia

Peter III was Emperor of Russia for six months in 1762 before being overthrown and possibly murdered. His reign was marked by attempts at reform and an unpopular alliance with Prussia.

1817: Jane Austen, English Novelist

Jane Austen was an English novelist known for her six major novels, including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma. Her works, which provide keen insights into British landed gentry life, remain widely read and studied.

Thanks again for tuning in! We’ll talk tomorrow.

Best,

Matt