On February 13, 1633, Galileo Galilei arrived in Rome to stand trial before the Roman Catholic Inquisition. The renowned scientist and astronomer was accused of heresy for supporting the heliocentric theory, which proposed that the Earth orbits the Sun. This idea, originally put forth by Nicolaus Copernicus, contradicted the Church’s geocentric doctrine, which held that the Earth was the center of the universe.

Galileo’s troubles began years earlier when he published his book, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, in 1632. The work presented arguments for heliocentrism and was perceived as an open challenge to Church authority. His book was written as a dialogue between three characters, with one supporting heliocentrism, another supporting geocentrism, and a third acting as a neutral observer. However, the character arguing for geocentrism was portrayed as foolish, which many saw as a direct insult to Pope Urban VIII, a former supporter of Galileo. This only worsened Galileo’s standing with the Church and made his trial even more severe.

As a result, he was summoned to Rome to answer for his writings. The trial was tense, lasting for months, as Galileo defended his work while Church officials sought to break his idea. In June 1633, Galileo was found guilty of heresy. He was forced to recant his support for heliocentrism under the threat of torture. Some accounts suggest that after his recantation, he muttered the famous phrase, "E pur si muove" ("And yet it moves"), though there is little historical evidence to support this claim.

As punishment, Galileo was sentenced to house arrest, where he remained for the rest of his life. Despite this confinement, he continued his scientific work in secret, studying motion and physics, which would later influence Isaac Newton. His writings circulated among scholars, ensuring that his ideas lived on despite his personal suffering. Galileo’s discoveries ultimately revolutionized science and cemented his place as one of history’s greatest thinkers. In 1992, over 350 years later, the Catholic Church formally acknowledged its mistake and issued an apology for the way Galileo had been treated.

Between February 13 and 15, 1945, the Allied forces launched a devastating aerial bombardment on the German city of Dresden. The attack, carried out primarily by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), resulted in widespread destruction and the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.

Dresden, known for its cultural and architectural significance, had largely been spared from heavy bombing earlier in the war. However, as World War II came close to an end, the Allies targeted the city as part of their campaign to weaken Germany’s remaining industrial and military capacity. Over 1,200 bombers dropped thousands of tons of high-explosive and incendiary bombs, creating a massive firestorm that consumed much of the city. The firestorm generated such intense heat that it created hurricane-force winds, pulling people into the flames and reducing entire neighborhoods to rubble.

Survivors recalled scenes of utter devastation, with streets covered in bodies and the city's famous baroque architecture reduced to ruins. The Frauenkirche, one of Dresden’s most beloved landmarks, collapsed under the extreme heat and pressure. The scale of destruction shocked the world, and many questioned whether the bombing was a necessary military action or an excessive use of force.

The destruction of Dresden remains one of the most controversial events of the war. Critics argue that the bombing was disproportionate and unnecessary, as Germany was already on the brink of defeat. Others defend it as a strategic move to hasten the end of the conflict, weaken German morale, and disrupt military infrastructure.

In the postwar years, Dresden became a symbol of wartime devastation, with efforts to rebuild focusing on preserving historical structures while acknowledging the tragedy. The Frauenkirche was meticulously reconstructed after German reunification and now stands as both a memorial and a testament to resilience. Regardless of one’s perspective on the bombing, the firebombing of Dresden left an undeniable mark on history, serving as a sobering reminder of the immense human cost of war.

U.S.S. Shark Attack🦈
On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, sinking in just 12 minutes. Of the 1,195 crew members, around 900 survived the initial sinking—only to face four days of terror in open water. With no lifeboats or supplies, the men battled dehydration, exhaustion, and relentless shark attacks. Oceanic whitetip sharks, picked off hundreds of survivors—making this the deadliest shark attack event in history. By the time rescue arrived, only 316 men remained.

Presidential Sheep🐑
During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Edith Wilson turned the White House lawn into a grazing pasture—with a flock of sheep as their eco-friendly lawnmowers. The idea? Cut costs, free up gardeners for the war effort, and set an example of wartime frugality. But the Wilsons didn’t stop there—they auctioned off the sheep’s wool, raising thousands of dollars for the Red Cross.

Henry VIII’s Armored Dog🐕
King Henry VIII wasn’t just obsessed with wives—he also had a soft spot for dogs. Among all of his wild possessions, he commissioned a custom-made suit of armor for one of his royal hounds. The armor, designed to protect his dog in battle, featured plated metal and even decorative etching—because if your dog’s going to war, he might as well look fabulous. While it’s unclear if the dog ever saw combat, one thing is certain: Henry VIII took “man’s best friend” to a whole new level.

The First Quarantine⚓️
The word “quarantine” comes from the Venetian term “quarantena”, meaning “forty days.” During the Black Death, Venice—one of Europe’s busiest ports—needed a way to stop the plague from spreading. Their solution? Make arriving ships sit at anchor for 40 days before anyone could come ashore. Why 40? Some say it had religious significance, while others believe it was just long enough to see if anyone got sick. Either way, it worked well enough that the practice spread—and so did the word.

If you enjoy this edition of Today In History be sure to send it to a friend and force them to sign up because that’s what good friends do. Until next time, stay curious, question everything, and keep uncovering the mysteries of the past. - Zach⛺️