1170day.year
A major earthquake hits Syria, badly damaging towns such as Hama and Shaizar and structures such as the Krak des Chevaliers and the cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch.
A devastating earthquake strikes Syria in 1170, wrecking historic towns and key Crusader fortresses.
In 1170, a powerful earthquake shook northern Syria, inflicting severe damage on urban centers like Hama and Shaizar.
Iconic structures, including the Krak des Chevaliers fortress and the cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch, were heavily damaged.
The disaster caused widespread destruction of homes, churches, and defenses, with numerous casualties.
Local communities were forced to rebuild amid political tensions of the Crusader period.
The event highlighted the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters in a time of ongoing military and religious conflict.
Reconstruction efforts spanned decades, blending repair of fortifications with reinforcing resilience against future quakes.
1170
major earthquake hits Syria
Hama
Shaizar
Krak des Chevaliers
cathedral of St. Peter
Antioch
1457day.year
The Dutch city of Dordrecht is devastated by fire
A catastrophic fire engulfs the city of Dordrecht in 1457, reducing much of the medieval town to ashes.
In 1457, the Dutch city of Dordrecht suffered a massive urban fire that swept through its timber buildings.
Much of the medieval city center, including homes, workshops, and warehouses, was destroyed by the blaze.
The city’s vital trade in herring and textiles was disrupted, causing economic hardship for merchants and residents.
Citizens and nearby communities organized relief efforts, while guilds contributed funds for reconstruction.
Architectural rebuilding favored brick and stone to prevent future disasters, reshaping the cityscape.
The fire’s aftermath influenced urban planning in the Netherlands, emphasizing fire-resistant construction.
1457
Dordrecht
1613day.year
The Globe Theatre in London, built by William Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, burns to the ground.
The original Globe Theatre in London burns to the ground during a performance in 1613.
On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre, home to Shakespeare’s company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, caught fire during a performance of Henry VIII.
A cannon shot used for special effects ignited the thatched roof, and the wooden structure was quickly engulfed in flames.
Reports indicate a swift collapse of the stage and galleries, but remarkably no fatalities were recorded.
Audiences watched as the iconic playhouse collapsed, marking the end of an era in Elizabethan drama.
The loss prompted the company to rebuild a larger brick-and-mortar Globe the following year.
This event highlighted both the spectacle and the risks of early modern theatre production.
1613
Globe Theatre
William Shakespeare
playing company
Lord Chamberlain's Men
1764day.year
One of the strongest tornadoes in history strikes Woldegk, Germany, killing one person while leveling numerous mansions with winds estimated greater than 300 miles per hour (480 km/h).
One of history's most powerful tornadoes struck Woldegk, Germany in 1764, demolishing mansions and claiming at least one life.
On June 29, 1764, a catastrophic tornado with estimated winds exceeding 300 miles per hour tore through the town of Woldegk in northeastern Germany. The whirlwind ravaged the area, leveling grand manor houses and uprooting trees as it carved a destructive path several miles long. Eyewitnesses described the violent storm as a rolling black wall that obliterated anything in its way. Despite the scale of destruction, records indicate only one confirmed fatality, though many residents were injured or left homeless. Contemporary weather observations were rudimentary, making this tornado one of the earliest scientifically noted supercells. The event remains a benchmark for measuring the strength of historical tornadoes. It also highlights the vulnerability of 18th-century communities to extreme weather phenomena. Modern meteorologists study the Woldegk tornado to understand pre-industrial tornado impacts and warning limitations.
1764
strongest tornadoes in history
Woldegk
1864day.year
At least 99 people, mostly German and Polish immigrants, are killed in Canada's worst railway disaster after a train fails to stop for an open drawbridge and plunges into the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec.
On June 29, 1864, Canada suffered its worst railway disaster when a train plunged off an open drawbridge at St-Hilaire, Quebec, killing 99 immigrants.
On June 29, 1864, the passenger train known as the International Railway No. 5 failed to stop at an open drawbridge over the Rivière Richelieu near St-Hilaire, Quebec. Carrying predominantly German and Polish immigrants en route to settle in Upper Canada, the locomotive and cars tumbled into the water below. At least ninety-nine people perished in the icy river, many trapped inside submerged carriages. Survivors recounted desperate attempts to escape through broken windows amid swirling currents. The catastrophe spurred immediate public outcry and led to calls for stricter railway safety regulations. Investigations highlighted deficiencies in signaling, bridge maintenance, and crew training. In the aftermath, Canadian rail companies adopted more rigorous standards for drawbridge operation and emergency protocols. Memorials erected near the disaster site honor those who lost their lives and serve as a sobering reminder of the era's transportation risks.
1864
German
Polish
immigrants
railway disaster
drawbridge
Rivière Richelieu
St-Hilaire
Quebec
1915day.year
The North Saskatchewan River flood of 1915 is the worst flood in Edmonton history.
The North Saskatchewan River flooded on June 29, 1915, causing Edmonton’s worst flood on record at that time.
On June 29, 1915, heavy rains and snowmelt overwhelmed the North Saskatchewan River, leading to a catastrophic flood in Edmonton. The raging waters inundated vast swaths of the city, sweeping away homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Thousands of residents were forced to flee as bridges collapsed and streets turned into torrents. Emergency crews and volunteers launched daring rescue efforts, using boats and improvised rafts to save stranded citizens. The disaster prompted significant improvements in flood control measures, including the construction of new dikes and river management systems. The 1915 flood remains a defining moment in Edmonton’s history, shaping its approach to urban planning and emergency preparedness.
1915
North Saskatchewan River flood of 1915
Edmonton
1971day.year
Prior to re-entry (following a record-setting stay aboard the Soviet Union's Salyut 1 space station), the crew capsule of the Soyuz 11 spacecraft depressurizes, killing the three cosmonauts on board. Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov and Viktor Patsayev are the first humans to die in space.
On June 29, 1971, the Soyuz 11 crew capsule depressurized before re-entry, killing the three cosmonauts—the first human fatalities in space.
After a historic 23-day mission aboard the Soviet Salyut 1 space station, the Soyuz 11 crew capsule depressurized during preparations for re-entry on June 29, 1971. Cosmonauts Georgy Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov, and Viktor Patsayev died when their cabin lost pressure, marking the first human deaths in space. The tragedy shocked the global space community and led to an immediate halt in Soviet crewed flights. Investigators identified a faulty ventilation valve that opened prematurely at altitude, causing the fatal leak. In response, spacecraft designs were overhauled to include pressure suits and improved safety measures for crew re-entry. Soyuz missions resumed the following year, but the legacy of Soyuz 11 underscored the inherent risks of human space exploration.
1971
Soviet Union
Salyut 1
Soyuz 11
Georgy Dobrovolsky
Vladislav Volkov
Viktor Patsayev
1972day.year
A Convair CV-580 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter collide above Lake Winnebago near Appleton, Wisconsin, killing 13.
A midair collision over Lake Winnebago in 1972 between two passenger planes resulted in 13 fatalities.
On June 29, 1972, a Convair CV-580 and a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter collided midair above Lake Winnebago near Appleton, Wisconsin. The tragic accident occurred under clear weather conditions during routine flight operations. Both aircraft were engaged in commercial passenger and cargo services when they unexpectedly crossed flight paths. The collision resulted in the immediate crash of both planes into the lake and nearby terrain. Rescue teams responded swiftly, but all 13 aboard perished at the scene. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board examined factors such as communication protocols, air traffic control procedures, and flight path deconfliction. The findings led to improvements in midair collision avoidance measures and stricter regulations on flight corridors around busy airspace. The disaster remains a somber reminder of aviation safety challenges in the early 1970s.
Convair CV-580
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
collide
Lake Winnebago
Appleton, Wisconsin
1995day.year
The Sampoong Department Store collapses in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, killing 502 and injuring 937.
The Sampoong Department Store collapsed in Seoul in 1995, causing over 500 deaths.
On June 29, 1995, the Sampoong Department Store in the Seocho District of Seoul, South Korea, catastrophically collapsed during business hours, resulting in 502 fatalities and injuring 937 people. The disaster occurred when roofing and interior structures gave way under excessive weight from a previously added fifth floor and hot tub installations. Witnesses described a sudden roar as concrete slabs and support columns buckled, sending debris across busy shopping areas. Emergency responders and civilians engaged in extensive rescue efforts amid unstable rubble and aftershocks, saving hundreds of survivors. Investigations revealed that construction shortcuts, design flaws, and bribery had compromised building safety standards. The tragedy prompted widespread public outrage, leading to criminal prosecutions of company executives and government inspectors. Building codes and enforcement protocols in South Korea were overhauled to prevent similar negligence. The Sampoong collapse remains one of the deadliest non-war building disasters in modern history and a stark reminder of the importance of engineering ethics and regulatory oversight.
Sampoong Department Store collapses
Seocho District
Seoul
2012day.year
A derecho sweeps across the eastern United States, leaving at least 22 people dead and millions without power.
A massive derecho struck the eastern United States on June 29, 2012, causing widespread destruction, leaving at least 22 people dead and cutting power to millions.
On June 29, 2012, a powerful derecho swept across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.
This fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms produced hurricane-force winds exceeding 80 mph.
The storm uprooted trees, downed power lines, and caused extensive property damage across several states.
At least 22 fatalities were attributed to the extreme winds and related accidents.
Over 4.2 million households lost electricity, some for over a week.
Companies and utility crews raced to restore power amidst hazardous conditions.
The event highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure to severe convective storms.
Meteorologists studied the derecho’s unusual intensity and speed.
It remains one of the most damaging windstorms in recent U.S. history.
2012
derecho
sweeps