On February 12, 1554, Lady Jane Grey, England’s Nine Days’ Queen, was executed at the Tower of London. Her short and tragic reign was the result of political maneuvering following the death of King Edward VI. As Edward’s Protestant cousin, she was placed on the throne to prevent the Catholic Mary Tudor from ruling. However, Mary swiftly gained popular support, overthrew Jane, and had her imprisoned.

Jane was only sixteen years old, intelligent, well-educated, and a deeply devout protestant. She didn't actually want the throne, yet she became a pawn in a larger political struggle between Protestant and Catholic factions in England. After Edward VI’s death in July 1553, Jane was declared queen by her father-in-law, the Duke of Northumberland. However, Mary Tudor quickly gathered forces, marching into London with overwhelming support. Jane's days as queen ended within just a few days and she was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Despite initial hesitation, Mary ultimately ordered Jane’s execution for treason, as keeping her alive posed a potential threat to Mary’s rule. On the morning of her death, Jane was led to Tower Green, where it's said she remained calm and composed. Before placing her head on the block, she delivered a moving speech, reaffirming her faith and accepting her fate.

The executioner then carried out her fate with a single stroke. Her tragic end remains one of the most poignant moments in Tudor history, symbolizing the dangerous intersection of politics, religion, and power struggles in 16th-century England. Her story continues to captivate historians and remains a lasting symbol of innocence caught in the tides of history.

On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was born in a small log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky—now LaRue County. From humble beginnings, Lincoln rose to become one of the most significant leaders in American history, guiding the nation through the Civil War and playing a key role in the abolition of slavery.

Lincoln’s early years were marked by hardship and self-education. His family was poor, and he had little formal schooling, yet he was determined to educate himself by reading any book he could find. He worked as a farmhand, rail-splitter, and shopkeeper before studying law and entering politics. His gift for oratory and debate helped him gain recognition, eventually leading to his election as a congressman and later as president in 1860.

As president, Lincoln faced the enormous challenge of preserving the Union during the Civil War. His leadership during this crisis was defined by his constant determination and moral clarity. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states, and played a crucial role in the passage of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery nationwide. His Gettysburg Address, delivered in 1863, remains one of the most famous speeches in American history, emphasizing democracy, equality, and national unity.

Tragically, his presidency was cut short when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, just days after the Civil War ended. His death sent shockwaves through the nation, and he was mourned as a leader who had guided the country through its darkest days. Lincoln’s legacy endures as a symbol of leadership, perseverance, and the fight for human rights. His impact on American history is immeasurable, and his vision for a united and free nation continues to inspire generations.

Plague Catapult 🐀
In 1346, during the siege of Caffa, the Mongols found themselves battling more than just enemy soldiers—they were also dying of the bubonic plague. But instead of seeing this as a setback, they turned it into a weapon. Using catapults, they hurled plague-infected corpses over the city walls, hoping to infect their enemies. Caffa was eventually overrun with disease, and fleeing Genoese traders may have unknowingly carried the plague back to Europe. Within a few years, the Black Death wiped out nearly a third of Europe’s population.

Titanic Fireworks 🎆
When the Titanic began sinking on April 14, 1912, the crew launched white distress flares into the night sky—a desperate call for help. But nearby ships, including the SS Californian, didn’t respond immediately. Why? They thought it was a fireworks display. At the time, color-coded flares weren’t standardized, and white rockets didn’t automatically signal distress. This caused ships to assume the Titanic was just celebrating. By the time the seriousness of the situation became clear, it was too late.

Nuke The Moon 🌕
During the height of the Cold War, American military strategists cooked up a wild idea: detonating a nuclear bomb on the Moon—just to show off. Known as Project A119, this top-secret plan aimed to boost U.S. morale and intimidate the Soviet Union by creating a massive explosion visible from Earth. The logic? If America couldn’t yet put a man on the Moon, at least it could blow up part of it. Fortunately, the plan was scrapped. Instead, a decade later, the U.S. landed astronauts, not bombs.

Vikings Landing ⚓️
Forget Columbus—Leif Erikson and the Vikings set foot in North America almost 500 years earlier, around 1,000 AD. Norse sagas tell of Erikson’s journey to a land he called Vinland—modern-day Newfoundland, Canada. Here his crew set up camp, explored, and probably annoyed the local Indigenous people. Unlike Columbus, the Vikings didn’t stick around. Conflicts with Native Americans and harsh conditions made them abandon Vinland. But archaeological discoveries confirm they were there, proving that Columbus “discovering” America was really just him showing up late.

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⛺️