1666day.year
In London, England, the most destructive damage from the Great Fire occurs.
On September 4, 1666, the Great Fire of London reached its most destructive phase, consuming large parts of the medieval city.
On September 4, 1666, London suffered the most destructive phase of the Great Fire, which had broken out three days earlier. Fierce winds drove the blaze through the dense medieval streets, consuming thousands of homes, churches, and civic buildings. Key landmarks, including St. Paul's Cathedral, were left in ruins. Although the fire devastated much of the City of London, it also cleared the way for modern urban planning and rebuilding under Sir Christopher Wren. The catastrophe prompted new regulations on building materials and street layouts, transforming London's architectural landscape.
1666
Great Fire
1827day.year
The Great Fire of Turku almost completely destroys Finland's former capital city.
The Great Fire of Turku, which began on September 4, 1827, swept through the predominantly wooden city and consumed nearly all of its buildings.
A fire broke out on the banks of the Aura River in Turku on the evening of September 4, 1827. Fueled by strong winds and wooden construction, the blaze spread rapidly across the city. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash within hours, leaving thousands homeless. The disaster destroyed landmark churches, government offices, and merchant warehouses. In its aftermath, the capital of Finland was moved from Turku to Helsinki to reduce Russian influence and improve defenses. New building regulations were introduced to promote fire-resistant materials and urban planning. The Great Fire remains the largest urban catastrophe in Nordic history.
1827
Great Fire of Turku
Finland
former capital city
1963day.year
Swissair Flight 306 crashes near Dürrenäsch, Switzerland, killing all 80 people on board.
Swissair Flight 306 crashed near Dürrenäsch, Switzerland, killing all 80 people on board in 1963.
On September 4, 1963, Swissair Flight 306, operating a Sud Aviation SE-210 Caravelle, suffered an in-flight fire and crashed near Dürrenäsch, Switzerland. All 80 passengers and crew perished in the tragic accident. Investigators attributed the disaster to an uncontrolled fire originating in the aircraft's wheel well, exacerbated by fuel leaks. The crash prompted Swissair and aviation authorities to review maintenance procedures and fire prevention measures. It remains one of Switzerland's deadliest aviation accidents and led to improvements in aircraft safety and emergency protocols.
1963
Swissair Flight 306
Dürrenäsch
1971day.year
Alaska Airlines Flight 1866 crashes near Juneau, Alaska, killing all 111 people on board.
Alaska Airlines Flight 1866 crashed near Juneau, Alaska, in 1971, killing all 111 people aboard.
On September 4, 1971, Alaska Airlines Flight 1866, a Boeing 727, crashed into mountainous terrain near Juneau, Alaska. All 111 passengers and crew were killed, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in U.S. history at the time. The National Transportation Safety Board investigation cited navigational errors, poor visibility, and challenging weather conditions as contributing factors. The tragedy prompted improvements in instrument approach procedures and pilot training for mountainous airports. It underscored the need for enhanced terrain awareness systems in commercial aviation. Alaska Airlines and regulators implemented safety enhancements to prevent similar accidents.
1971
Alaska Airlines Flight 1866
Juneau, Alaska