AD 64day.year
The Great Fire of Rome causes widespread devastation and rages on for six days, destroying half of the city.
A catastrophic fire swept through ancient Rome in AD 64, destroying much of the city over six days.
In the summer of AD 64, a massive blaze broke out in Rome, engulfing wooden structures and dense neighborhoods.
The fire burned unabated for six days, annihilating nearly half the urban area and leaving thousands homeless.
Emperor Nero faced rumors of starting the fire and initiated major rebuilding projects afterwards.
Archaeological remains reveal charred buildings and suggest how Roman firefighting was overwhelmed.
This calamity reshaped the city's architecture and prompted new building regulations to prevent future disasters.
AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
1545day.year
The Tudor warship Mary Rose sinks off Portsmouth; in 1982 the wreck is salvaged in one of the most complex and expensive projects in the history of maritime archaeology.
In 1545, the Tudor warship Mary Rose sank off Portsmouth, later becoming one of archaeology's most famous shipwreck recoveries.
The Mary Rose was flagship of England's King Henry VIII and a marvel of Tudor naval engineering.
On July 19, 1545, she sank unexpectedly during an engagement with the French fleet in the Solent.
Over 400 crew members perished, and the wreck remained lost for over four centuries.
In 1982, marine archaeologists raised the Mary Rose, preserving thousands of artifacts that offer unique insights into 16th-century naval life.
The recovery project stands as one of the most complex and celebrated in maritime archaeology history.
1545
Tudor
Mary Rose
Portsmouth
1845day.year
Great New York City Fire of 1845: The last great fire to affect Manhattan begins early in the morning and is subdued that afternoon. The fire kills four firefighters and 26 civilians and destroys 345 buildings.
A massive fire ravages Manhattan, killing 30 people and destroying 345 buildings in 1845.
Early on July 19, 1845, a massive fire broke out in lower Manhattan, fueled by wooden structures and dense urban development.
Despite the efforts of volunteer firefighters, the blaze spread rapidly, overwhelming equipment and resources.
Four firefighters and 26 civilians lost their lives, and 345 buildings were reduced to ashes before the flames were quelled.
The disaster prompted improvements in firefighting techniques, building regulations, and the establishment of more organized fire brigades.
The Great Fire of 1845 remains one of Manhattan's most destructive urban conflagrations, highlighting the need for modern fire safety measures.
1845
Great New York City Fire of 1845
Manhattan
1967day.year
Piedmont Airlines Flight 22, a Piedmont Airlines Boeing 727-22 and a twin-engine Cessna 310 collided over Hendersonville, North Carolina, USA. Both aircraft were destroyed and all passengers and crew were killed, including John T. McNaughton, an advisor to Robert McNamara.
On July 19, 1967, a Piedmont Airlines Boeing 727 and a Cessna 310 collided mid-air over North Carolina, killing all on board both aircraft.
On the morning of July 19, 1967, a Piedmont Airlines Boeing 727 en route from Asheville to Winston-Salem collided with a private Cessna 310 over Hendersonville, North Carolina. The mid-air collision occurred at approximately 9,300 feet as both aircraft converged near an uncontrolled intersection of flight paths. All 82 passengers and crew on the Boeing 727, along with the two pilots of the Cessna, perished in the crash. Among the victims was John T. McNaughton, former advisor to Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. The catastrophe prompted a full investigation by the Civil Aeronautics Board, which identified communication lapses and limitations in collision avoidance procedures. The accident led to significant changes in air traffic control regulations and the eventual adoption of improved radar systems. Wreckage scattered across dense forests complicated recovery efforts and underscored the danger of uncontrolled flight corridors. The tragedy remains one of the deadliest mid-air collisions in U.S. aviation history.
1967
Piedmont Airlines Flight 22
Piedmont Airlines
Boeing 727-22
Cessna 310
Hendersonville, North Carolina
USA
John T. McNaughton
Robert McNamara
1969day.year
Chappaquiddick incident: U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy crashes his car into a tidal pond at Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, killing his passenger Mary Jo Kopechne.
On July 19, 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy’s car plunged off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, resulting in the death of passenger Mary Jo Kopechne.
Late in the evening of July 18, 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy drove his car off a narrow bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, into a tidal pond. Kennedy escaped the submerged vehicle but failed to report the accident to authorities until the next morning. Tragically, his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned. The incident sparked intense media scrutiny and public debate over Kennedy’s actions and delayed rescue efforts. An inquest ruled the death accidental, but controversy persisted over Kennedy’s failure to seek immediate help. The episode had lasting repercussions on Kennedy’s political career, casting a shadow over his reputation and future ambitions. The Chappaquiddick incident became emblematic of privilege, responsibility, and crisis management in American politics. Over the years, it has been revisited in documentaries and films, ensuring its place in the national consciousness.
1969
Chappaquiddick incident
Ted Kennedy
Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts
Mary Jo Kopechne
1979day.year
The oil tanker SS Atlantic Empress collides with another oil tanker, causing the largest ever ship-borne oil spill.
The SS Atlantic Empress collision caused the largest ship-borne oil spill on record.
On July 19, 1979, the Liberian-registered SS Atlantic Empress collided with the Aegean Captain off the coast of Tobago. The impact ruptured tanks on both ships, releasing an estimated 287,000 tonnes of crude oil into the Caribbean Sea. The spill drifted across sensitive coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems, triggering widespread environmental damage. Containment and cleanup efforts were hampered by rough seas and limited equipment. The disaster highlighted the risks of maritime oil transport and led to stricter international safety protocols. Decades later, the ecological scars of the spill are still studied by marine scientists. This incident remains a cautionary tale in shipping history.
SS Atlantic Empress
ship-borne oil spill
1985day.year
The Val di Stava dam collapses killing 268 people in Val di Stava, Italy.
The catastrophic collapse of the Val di Stava dam killed 268 people in Italy.
On July 19, 1985, the tailings dam at the Stava mine in northern Italy failed catastrophically. A massive wave of muddy slurry and water surged down the valley, obliterating the villages of Stava and Tesero in seconds. Rescue teams recovered 268 victims from the debris, making it one of Italy’s deadliest industrial disasters. Investigations attributed the collapse to design flaws and poor maintenance of the dam’s drainage systems. The tragedy prompted sweeping reforms in dam safety regulations and rigorous engineering standards across Europe. Memorials erected near the site honor the lives lost and serve as a reminder of the importance of industrial vigilance.
1985
Val di Stava dam collapses
1989day.year
United Airlines Flight 232 crashes in Sioux City, Iowa killing 111.
United Airlines Flight 232 crash-landed in Sioux City after a catastrophic engine failure, resulting in 111 deaths and remarkable survival efforts.
On July 19, 1989, United Airlines Flight 232, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 traveling from Denver to Chicago, suffered an uncontained failure of its tail-mounted engine which disabled all hydraulic systems. Pilots used differential engine thrust to maintain partial control as the aircraft made an emergency approach to Sioux Gateway Airport. Despite their skillful handling, the aircraft crash-landed on the runway, breaking apart amid fire and debris. Of the 296 people on board, 111 were killed and 185 survived, aided by rapid rescue efforts. The accident highlighted the importance of crew resource management and led to significant changes in pilot training programs worldwide. Investigations prompted design reviews of engine components and hydraulic redundancy systems. Today, Flight 232 remains a case study in aviation safety and human resilience in the face of disaster.
1989
United Airlines Flight 232