[Amnorix]

January 28

Fair bit of stuff today.

1077. On this date in 1077, Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV completed the Walk to Canossa, resulting in the lifting of his excommunication by Pope Gregory VII. The Walk to Canossa was the first true victory of a Pope over the German domination of the Papal seat that had held sway since the fall of the Roman Empire.

1521. The Diet of Worms begins, most famously dealing with Martin Luther.

1871. The Siege of Paris ends as the French sue for peace from the Prussians. As a result of the victory, King William I of Prussia becomes Kaiser of all Germany, at a ceremony held rather ironically in the Palace of Versailles. This is cited as the beginning of the Second Reich. It also resulted in the downfall of Napoleon III and the Second French Empire. Further results of the Franco-Prussian War were also extremely significant:

1. countries without conscription or a military general staff soon adopted both, as they were clearly instrumental in the German victory.

2. Europe came to understand, painfully, what America had already learned in the Civil War -- the indispensable value of railroads in military movements and logistics.

3. The Dreyfus Affair, previously referred to in this thread, was an indirect result of the French defeat.

4. Alsace-Lorraine would continue to serve as a thorn in teh side of the French psyche for decades.

5. Germany was made the preeminent land power in Europe, sealing the reputation of Otto von Bismarck.


1934 -- the first ski tow begins operation in Vermont.

1958 -- Lego patents the design of its bricks (ask my kids how important this one is!!)

1986 -- Space Shuttle Challenger breaks apart while taking off, killing all 7 astronauts on board.