1349
Hundreds of Jews are burnt to death in Strasbourg as people blame them for the Black Plague. This is despite the decree from the pope absolving Jews of any such responsibility and urging authorities to protect them.
1400
The deposed King of England Richard II dies, probably of starvation and mistreatment in prison, on the orders of the usurper Henry IV.
1502
Despite a treaty granting them religious toleration the Muslims of Granada are ordered to convert or face expulsion.
1556
Archbishop Thomas Cranmer is declared a heretic; he will be burnt at the stake within a month.
1779
Captain James Cook and four Royal Marines are murdered by natives on a beach in Hawaii.
1929
Seven members of Bugs Moran’s North Side Gang are shot to death by gunmen from Al Capone’s Chicago Outfit in the St Valentine’s Day Massacre.
1945
The R.A.F. and the American air force start the fire-bombing of Dresden. 25,000 German civilians will die.
1989
Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issues a fatwa urging the murder of the author Salman Rushdie.