Today in history

1. 1752: Britain Adopts the Gregorian Calendar – The British Empire officially adopted the Gregorian calendar today, dropping eleven days overnight to align with mainland Europe. Rioters allegedly took to the streets across England demanding, "Give us back our eleven days," fearing they had been robbed of nearly two weeks of pay.

   

2. 1812: The Great Fire of Moscow – Russian forces retreating from Napoleon’s advancing Grande Armée deliberately set fire to Moscow today. The resulting blaze burned for four days, destroying three-quarters of the city and leaving Napoleon without shelter or supplies as the brutal Russian winter set in.

   

3. 1901: The Assassination Death of William McKinley – U.S. President William McKinley died today from gangrene caused by gunshot wounds inflicted eight days earlier by anarchist Leon Czolgosz at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President shortly after, becoming the youngest person in U.S. history to hold the office.

   

4. 1927: The Strangulation of Isadora Duncan – World-famous American dancer Isadora Duncan was tragically killed in Nice, France today. While riding as a passenger in an open-top sports car, her trailing silk scarf caught in the spokes of the rear wheel, snapping her neck instantly.

   

5. 1846: The Nepalese Royal Court Massacre – Nepalese general Jang Bahadur and his brothers slaughtered nearly 40 senior members of the Nepalese royal palace court and aristocracy in Kathmandu today. The bloody purge eliminated all political rivals, consolidating absolute power and establishing the 104-year Rana autocracy.

   

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