History Trivia

June 24, 109 The Aqua Traiana was inaugurated by emperor Trajan, the aqueduct channeled water from Lake Bracciano, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north-west of Rome. 217Hannibal defeated the Romans at Lago di Trasimeno in the Second Punic War. 451 Attila the Hun raised his siege of Orleans, France in a prelude to his being pushed out of France by a combined army of Romans and barbarians. 1314 First War of Scottish Independence: the Battle of Bannockburn concluded with a decisive victory of the Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce, though England did not recognize Scottish independence until 1328 with the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton. 1340 Hundred Years' War: Battle of Sluys – The French fleet was almost destroyed by the English Fleet commanded in person by King Edward III. 1441 King Henry VI of England founded Eton College. 1497 John Cabot landed in North America at Newfoundland leading the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings. 1497 Cornish rebels Michael An Gof and Thomas Flamank were executed at Tyburn, London. 1509 Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon were crowned King and Queen of England. 1520: Mass at Field of Cloth of Gold. Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France met between Guînes and Ardres near Calais to discuss an alliance. Since the nearby castles were in decay, temporary pavilions of such splendor were erected that the entire meeting area was called a "Cloth of Gold." At the end of more than a fortnight of cordial negotiations and entertainment, mass was said on Sunday, June 24and the kings parted. Political results of the meeting were negligible.