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The Vikings were well known for their plundering expeditions in the British Isles and France. But what was significant about the voyage of the Nordic adventurer Bjorn Ironside?

Answer: In 859-860, his Viking ship ventured into the western Mediterranean and sacked several towns, among them one that he claimed was Rome. In fact, it was only Luma, a small town in Tuscany, Italy. Nevertheless, a remarkable feat of seamanship by any standard.

Source: The World of Vikings by Justin Pollard

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1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

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“In Russia a man is a called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

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HistoryWow’s Featured Historical Figure of Note

Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

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