#william wallace national monument

[scotianostra]

On 25th June 1887 The Marquess of Bute unveiled the statue of William Wallace. on the National Wallace Monument.

The work of D. W. Stevenson of Edinburgh, this magnificent 6.4 metre bronze statue weighs 3 tons, a Baltimore financier called William Wallace Spence was that taken by the statue he got Stevenson to sculpt another which sits in Druid Hill Park in the city.

The pics are my own from March 2021.

[memories-of-ancients]

100% historically accurate statue of William Wallace that used to be on display at the National Wallace monument at Stirling in Scotland. The statue was removed in 2021 because people complained it looked like the William Wallace portrayed in Braveheart by Mel Gibson. Me, I personally don't see any resemblance.

[dopescissorscashwagon]

Happy Wallace Wednesday! As dawn breaks through a misty morning in Stirling, the enduring spirit of Sir William Wallace stands sentinel atop The National Wallace Monument. This legendary figure of Scottish independence is immortalised in stone, sword raised high, overlooking the very lands he fought to free.

Wallace's tale is one for the ages: a common man turned knight who rallied his countrymen against English oppression at the end of the 13th century. His most renowned victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 became a symbol of national pride and resistance. Although he was ultimately captured and executed, his legacy is far from forgotten. In fact, it's etched into the very fabric of Scotland's history and identity.

This striking image captures more than just the chill of a foggy morning; it's a reminder of the resilience and enduring fight for freedom. Wallace's silhouette against the awakening sky is a powerful representation of Scotland's past and its continuous inspiration for the future. Let's take a moment to remember and honour the man behind the monument, the hero of Scotland

—Sir William Wallace. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

📸 The Kilted Photographer @TheKilted.Photo

[pangeen]

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Scotland's monument to William Wallace // Chris Logue

The National Wallace Monument (generally known as the Wallace Monument) is a 67 metre tower on the shoulder of the Abbey Craig, a hilltop overlooking Stirling in Scotland. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, a 13th- and 14th-century Scottish hero.

Music:  jaxon roberts - Kutiman - Against All Odds

[paddymcgintysgoat]

The National Wallace Monument is a tower on the shoulder of Abbey Craig, a hill overlooking Stirling in Scotland. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, a 13th century Scottish hero.

[educationinaustralia]

Tourist Places in Scotland:

Scotland is known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. Here are some top tourist places to visit in Scotland:

Edinburgh:

Edinburgh Castle: Historic fortress overlooking the city. Royal Mile: A historic street with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. Holyrood Palace: The Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Arthur's Seat: An extinct volcano offering panoramic views of the city. Scottish National Gallery: Houses an impressive collection of art.

Glasgow:

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: One of the most popular museums in Scotland. Glasgow Cathedral: A stunning example of Gothic architecture. The Riverside Museum: A museum of transport and travel. Glasgow Botanic Gardens: Beautiful gardens and glasshouses. The Necropolis: A Victorian cemetery with impressive monuments and views.

Highlands:

Loch Ness: Famous for the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Inverness: The capital of the Highlands, known for its historic sites and beautiful surroundings. Isle of Skye: Renowned for its rugged landscapes, picturesque villages, and medieval castles. Glencoe: A beautiful valley known for its stunning scenery and hiking trails. Ben Nevis: The highest mountain in the British Isles.

Isle of Skye:

Fairy Pools: A series of beautiful waterfalls and clear blue pools. The Quiraing: A landslip on the Trotternish Ridge with breathtaking views. Old Man of Storr: A rocky hill with iconic pinnacles. Dunvegan Castle: The oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.

Stirling:

Stirling Castle: One of Scotland’s grandest castles with a rich history. The Wallace Monument: A tower commemorating William Wallace. Bannockburn: The site of a major Scottish victory in the First War of Scottish Independence.

Aberdeen:

Aberdeen Maritime Museum: Showcases the city’s maritime history. Duthie Park: Known for its Winter Gardens and floral displays. Footdee (Fittie): A historic fishing village with quaint cottages.

Outer Hebrides:

Luskentyre Beach: One of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. Callanish Standing Stones: A prehistoric stone circle. St Kilda: A remote archipelago with stunning landscapes and rich wildlife.

Orkney Islands:

Skara Brae: A well-preserved Neolithic village. Ring of Brodgar: A large stone circle and henge. Maeshowe: A chambered cairn and passage grave.

Shetland Islands:

Jarlshof: A prehistoric and Norse settlement. Sumburgh Head: A stunning location for birdwatching and enjoying coastal views. Lerwick: The main town, known for its charming harbor and annual Up Helly Aa festival.

Other Notable Places:

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park: Offers beautiful scenery, hiking, and water activities. Cairngorms National Park: The largest national park in the UK, known for its mountains and wildlife. Melrose Abbey: A historic abbey with stunning architecture. Eilean Donan Castle: A picturesque castle situated on a small tidal island. https://www.aecglobal.com.au/ Falkirk Wheel: A unique rotating boat lift connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. These destinations offer a diverse range of experiences, from exploring historic castles and cities to enjoying the natural beauty of Scotland's landscapes.

[worldspotlightnews]

Activists vandalize Scotland's 'Braveheart' monument in climate protest

A pair of climate activists in Scotland will face trial after allegedly vandalizing a display case holding national hero William Wallace’s broadsword. “The police say the accused believe they were raising awareness of climate change and that their actions were necessary for the cause,” prosecutor Eilidh Smith said.  Alexander Cloudley, 29 and Katrielle Chan, 21, both from Glasgow, pleaded not…

[reportwire]

Activists vandalize Scotland's 'Braveheart' monument in climate protest

A pair of climate activists in Scotland will face trial after allegedly vandalizing a display case holding national hero William Wallace’s broadsword. “The police say the accused believe they were raising awareness of climate change and that their actions were necessary for the cause,” prosecutor Eilidh Smith said.  Alexander Cloudley, 29 and Katrielle Chan, 21, both from Glasgow, pleaded not…

[aloneinstitute]

Castle Hill in Scotland

The National Wallace Monument is one of Scotland's most distinctive landmarks. Visit and learn about the famous Scottish warrior, Sir William Wallace.

[ancestorsalive]

From @visitscotland

One of the most iconic Scottish landmarks standing tall over the city of Stirling 💙 The National Wallace Monument captured by @ally_deans75 -A must-see for anyone visiting #Scotland! 🙌🛡

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Planning a trip to Scotland? Start right now - https://lovetovisitscotland.com/travelguide

#scotland #visitscotland #lovescotland

[scotianostra]

On November *22nd 1888 the Sword, reputed to be that of Sir William Wallace was taken to The National Wallace Monument.

*And yet another with differing dates 

The sword’s history is as significant as that of the Stone of Destiny. It is said that after the capture of Wallace, the sword was taken to Dumbarton Castle and kept for almost 600 years. Despite protests from the people of Dumbarton, in 1888 the sword was installed in the monument with great pomp and ceremony.

The people of Dumbarton let it be known……

“The Dumbarton Town Council feel aggrieved at the removal of Wallace’s sword from the castle to the Wallace Tower on Abbey Craig, and have resolved to remonstrate with the War Office authorities, and ask that the historic weapon be returned to the place where it has lain for between five and six hundred years.”

In 1912 the case containing the sword was broken by a suffragette called Ethel Moorhead to highlight the struggle to obtain votes for women, and it was stolen in 1936 and again in 1972 but on each occasion it was safely recovered and returned.

The  history of the sword itself has been questioned, most recently in 2020 Dr David Caldwell,  former president of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, said that it had “nothing to do” the leader of the First War of Independence, who lived from 1270 to 1305.He described the sword as a “not very good example of a two-handed 16th Century sword” which was acquired in “desperation” to link the monument to Wallace.

To me it is secondary, just like the aforementioned  Stone of Destiny’s history is disputed, the Wallace sword is more of a symbolic symbol for Scots. 

Information promoted by the National Wallace Monument said that “it is believed” that the Wallace Sword was left at Dumbarton Castle from 1305 after Wallace was imprisoned there. A mention of ‘Wallace’s sword’ later appears in accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland in 1505;

......at the command of James IV., the sum of twenty-six shillings, equal to about thirty pounds at our present money, was paid to an armorer for binding a riding sword and a rapier; also for the “binding of Wallas sword with cords of silk”, and providing it with “ane new hilt and plomet” also with a “new scabbard and a new belt.” 

While the rapier and the riding sword are named as being simply repaired, the Wallace sword is described as adorned with trappings of silk; also as having been furnished with the specified additions of a new hilt and pommel, a new scabbard and a new belt.

Ken Thomson , of Stirling District Tourism, which runs the National Wallace Monument, said the sword was “held in high respect” during the 1800s when Scotland experienced a surge in patriotism.

When it was brought to Stirling in 1888, Provost Yellowlees said: “…no true Scotsman could look upon this sword without having anew a feeling of gratitude to the patriot who wielded it, and who bled and died to secure for his country that liberty which to him was dearer than life”.

The quote in the first pic is by Sir Walter Scott, which surely means he believed in the swords history?  The sword measures 1.68m and weighs approximately 3kg.

The last pic is of interest, the information tagged to it reads “Swords of Scottish Heroes Exhibited at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Wallace Monument at Stirling 1. Sir William Wallace's 2. King Robert Bruce's 3. Sir John De Graeme's 4. Sir Richard Lundin's 5. The Black Douglas's” 

I’ve posted about all these before except Sir Richard Lundin, the sword is said to be of the same era as The Wallace sword, and that he carried it into battle at The Battle of Stirling Brig, however he was one of those that chopped and changed sides and was in King Edwards Army. 

He advised Sir Hugh Cressingham, Edward I’s appointed Lord Treasurer of Scotland, that to cross Stirling bridge itself would result in certain loss. He has been attributed with the following speech.

“My Lords if we go on to the bridge we are dead men; for we cannot cross it except two by two, and if the enemy are on our flank, and can come down on us as they will, all in one front. But there is a ford not far from here, where we can cross sixty at a time. Let me therefore have five hundred Knights and a small body of infantry, and we will get round the enemy on the rear and crush them”

Cressingham ignored the advice of the skilful soldier Sir Richard, and the battle was lost. After this Sir Richard fought with Wallace and is believed to have become a good friend. Sir Richard is listed as one of the Nobles of Scotland who appointed Sir William Wallace to the position of Governor of the Kingdom. They fought together at Falkirk. The sword of Sir Richard de Lundie, laird of Lundin, friend of Wallace, was taken to the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the Wallace Monument.

This sword is now at Drummond castle, ancestral home of the Earls of Perth, at one time descendants of Lundin of that ilk.

Such is the unsure history of this era it is interesting to note that “Lundie” is described in Blind Harry’s depiction of the battle of Stirling bridge as being on the side of the Scots.

The hardy Scots with heavy strokes and sore, Attack the twenty thousand that came o'er. Wallace and Ramsay, Lundie, Boyd, and Graham, With dreadful strokes made them retire - Fy, shame!

I have tried to find a real photo of the Lundie sword, but to no avail, Drummond Castle being a privately owned and only the gardens are open to the public.

[g3creatives]

William Wallace brochure design by G3 Creative in Scotland

[m1male2]

National Wallace Monument, is an honorary tower built in 1869, near Stirling, Scotland, which commemorates the figure of William Wallace, the Scottish hero of the 13th century in the War of Independence against the English King Edward I.

(©️Steven Robinson Pictures)

[artschoolglasses]

The National Wallace Monument as seen from the garden

Stirling Castle, Scotland

[skippyv20]

Mysterious swords from legend and history

Swords of renown are the seeds of legend. Fueled by tales of bloodshed and conquest, there have been swords throughout history that have grown to mythical proportions, blending fact and fiction until the two are all but inseparable.  

The Seven-Branched sword

In 1945, a mysterious sword was found in Japan’s Isonokami shrine. The sword was of exceedingly unusual make, with six protrusions branching out from its sides (the tip is considered its seventh). The sword was in poor condition, but a faded inscription could be made out along the blade. The exact translation has been questioned numerous times, but what is clear is that the sword was a gift from a Korean king to a Japanese monarch.

This matched a sword found in the Nihon Shoki, a folklore-infused historical document cataloguing the early history of Japan. If this was the same seven-branched sword given to a semi-mythical shaman empress, Jingu, it would serve as an important keystone marking where legend became fact. The dating on the blade matched reliable sources in China, Korea, and Japan. The Isonokami shrine itself was also mentioned in other documents dating from the time of the Nihon Shoki, so the sword could well have been left there since ancient times. Scholars now believe the seven-branched sword is the actual sword from the legend, giving the shaman empress Jingu an authentic place in history.

The sword of Goujian

In 1965, a remarkable sword was found in a damp tomb in China—despite being over 2,000 years old, there wasn’t a spot of rust on it. The blade was so untouched by time it even drew blood when one archaeologist tested its edge on his finger. Besides its unearthly resilience, the craftsmanship of the etchings was also unbelievably detailed for a sword forged so long ago. It was, for the time, a complete mystery.

Further study of the etchings concluded that it was a sword belonging to the Yue king, Goujian, and is believed to be the legendary blade mentioned in The Lost History of Yue. According to the text, when King Goujian had his sword collection appraised, there was only a single sword of merit. This sword was so magnificent it was said to have been made with the combined efforts of Heaven and Earth.

How did the sword stay in such excellent condition for over 2,000 years? Tests show the swordsmiths of Yue had reached such a high level of metallurgy they were able to incorporate rust-proof alloys into their blades. Their swords were also treated with rust-resistant chemicals, helping them survive the ages relatively unblemished. In addition, and in a stroke of brilliant luck, the scabbard of this particular blade was nearly airtight, which prevented oxidation and allowed the legendary sword to be found in such pristine condition—even two millennia after it was enclosed in the tomb.

The Wallace sword

Legend has it that William Wallace––the titular character of Mel Gibson’s Braveheart––used human skin for his sword’s scabbard, hilt, and belt. The flesh’s donor was said to have been Hugh de Cressingham, treasurer of Scotland, whom Wallace had flayed after defeating him in the battle of Stirling Bridge.

One version of the legend speaks of Wallace using one strip of Cressingham for his sword belt. Other accounts say Wallace and his men used Cressingham’s skin for saddle girths. The legend spread even further when King James IV sent the Wallace sword to have its scabbard, belt, and pommel replaced with something more befitting a sword of such stature. The sword as it is now, in the National Wallace Monument, bears the replacement parts. While Cressingham was most definitely flayed, accounts have Wallace using the unfortunate tax collector’s skin only for his sword belt, not the actual sword. The story also came from the English side, and was likely embellished to make the Scottish hero look like a barbarian. Still, we can certainly understand Wallace’s grudge against tax collectors. It might not be a stretch to say he used the skin from one to decorate his sword. As with many legends, the truth has been lost to time.

St. Peter’s sword

There are several legends about the sword used by Saint Peter when he cut off the ear of the servant to the high priest in the garden of Gethsemane. English lore has it brought to England by Joseph of Arimathea along with the Holy Grail. In 968, however, a sword was brought to Poland by Bishop Jordan—a sword which he claimed was the actual sword of St. Peter. The Bishop’s sword, considered the true relic, remained in Poland and was eventually moved to the Archdiocese Museum in Poznan.

Did the mysterious sword belong to Saint Peter? There are claims that the sword could have been made in the Eastern borderlands of the Roman Empire in the first century, but there is little evidence to substantiate them except the (perhaps misplaced) faith of those who want to believe the sword is a genuine relic. The sword in Poland is a falchion—a type of sword likely not in use during Saint Peter’s time. Metallurgy tests have also dated it to long after the saint’s death.

Joyeuse

Photo credit: Siren-Com

Joyeuse, King Charlemagne’s legendary sword, was said to change colours 30 times every day, and was so bright it outshone the sun. Since as early as 1271, two swords called Joyeuse have been part of French coronation ceremonies. But since both swords can’t be the famed Joyeuse, the mystery of which one is the true sword of the Holy Roman Emperor has lingered for centuries.

The Joyeuse residing in the Louvre has suffered heavy modification over its considerable lifetime. The oldest section is the pommel, which recent tests place sometime between the 10th and 11th centuries. Since Charlemagne died in 813, this puts it just outside the Holy Roman Emperor’s lifetime.

The other contender is the “saber of Charlemagne” housed in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna. It is unknown how the sword became part of the French Imperial Regalia, but the saber is dated to the early 10th century—closer than the Joyeuse, but still just after the time of Charlemagne’s legendary sword. The saber was probably fashioned by Hungarian swordsmiths, which opened the door for additional legends of it being the famed “sword of Attila,”

which was said to have been given to Attila the Hun by Mars, the god of war. Sadly, this isn’t really historically plausible either.

The Honjo Masamune

In contrast to Muramasa’s cursed swords are the blades of legendary priest and swordsmith Masamune. Legend has it that Masamune and Muramasa held a competition to decide the superior smith by placing their blades in a stream. While Muramasa’s cut everything it touched, Masamune’s refused to cut anything undeserving, even the air.

While Masamune’s works are valued as Japanese national treasures, one of the swords has never been found. Following Japan’s surrender in WWII, the “Honjo Masamune” was given to an American soldier, Sgt. Coldy Bimore, who most likely took it home with him as a war souvenir. As the mysterious G.I. has never been found, the sword’s whereabouts have likewise been lost. Despite the sword’s doubtless worth (it is potentially worth millions), sword collectors are no closer to finding the legendary lost Masamune than they were the day it disappeared.

The Cursed Muramasas

Muramasa was an ancient Japanese swordsmith who, according to legend, prayed that his swords would be “great destroyers.” Because of the exceptional quality of his blades, the gods granted his request and imbued them with a bloodthirsty spirit that—if not sated with battle—would drive the wielder to murder or suicide. There are countless stories of the Muramasas’ wielders going mad or being murdered. The swords were believed to be cursed, and were banned by imperial edict.

The edict was made by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who condemned the swords after they killed nearly all of his family. His grandfather had fallen to a Muramasa, and both Ieyasu and his father had been wounded by the swordsmith’s blades. Finally, both his wife and his adopted son were later executed by the supposedly cursed swords.

But were Muramasa’s blades really cursed? Likely, Ieyasu’s trouble with the swords began simply because they were extremely popular. Muramasa was not the name of one man, but the entire school of swordsmiths he founded. Quality Muramasa blades had been produced for close to a century and Japan’s warrior class used them often. The fact that Muramasa’s swords were used in so many killings related to the Shogun, while certainly a coincidence, was not exactly remarkable.

Durandal

For hundreds of years, a mysterious sword had been embedded in the cliffs above the Notre Dame chapel in Rocamadour, France. The monks say it is Durandal, sword of the paladin Roland. According to legend, Roland hurled the holy blade into the side of the cliff to keep it from being captured by his enemies. Since the 12th century, the chapel has been a destination for sacred pilgrimages. In 2011, the sword was removed by the local municipality and given to the Cluny Museum in Paris for an exhibit.

While the battle where Roland lost his life is a well-documented event, the first mention of Durandal was in “The Song of Roland,” composed hundreds of years later––about the same time the Notre Dame monks began claiming the sword was Roland’s. They likely linked their sword to Durandal since Rocamadour was the starting point for his journey, even though his final battle happened hundreds of miles away in the valley of Roncesvaux. So unfortunately, unless Roland pitched a really good fastball, the sword in the cliff is likely nothing more than a story conjured up by the monks of the chapel. Still, where the sword really came from remains a complete mystery.

The Kusanagi

According to legend, the “sword in the snake,” Kusanagi, was found in the body of an eight-headed serpent killed by the god of storms and seas. It’s part of the Imperial Regalia of Japan, icons of the ancient imperial family’s descent from the sun goddess––the symbols of their divine right to rule.

The Kusanagi is said to be housed in the Atsuta shrine in Nagano Prefecture, though it isn’t on public display and hasn’t been seen in centuries. The sword is occasionally brought out for imperial coronation ceremonies, but it’s always kept shrouded in wrappings. Even though it has never been seen, and is only recorded in collections of oral history and pseudohistorical documents, authorities have nevertheless succeeded in keeping the world guessing about the Kusanagi by never officially confirming nor denying its existence. The only official mention of the sword came after World War II—even though the late Emperor Hirohito disavowed any claim to his divinity, he was also recorded as having ordered the divine regalia’s keepers to “defend them at all costs.”

The Sword in the stone

While the Arthurian legend is mostly a product of folklore and myth, there is evidence that its sword in the stone tale might be very real. In a chapel in Monte Siepi, Italy lies an ancient sword embedded in stone that could be the key to deciphering the origin of the legend.

It’s believed that Saint Galgano was a 12th-century Tuscan knight whom Archangel Michael commanded to give up his sinful ways. Arguing that the task would be as difficult as cleaving stone, Galgano attempted to prove his point by breaking his sword on a nearby rock. Legend says his blade cut into the stone as if it were butter. The sword in the stone still rests where Galgano left it behind, along with his worldly ways. After Saint Galgano was canonised, word of his holy sword spread quickly. The legend of Excalibur predates Galgano, but the addition of the sword in the stone arose shortly after Galgano’s time. It’s theorized that his sword was the true-life inspiration for Author’s sword in the stone.

La Tizona

La Tizona was the sword of legendary hero El Cid, who fought for both Christian and Muslim armies in Spain. In a museum in Burgos, Spain, there is a controversial sword which the museum claims is none other than El Cid’s own blade. The sword was said to have been given to the Marquis of Falces by King Ferdinand in 1516. It was then passed down through his family until it was given to the Madrid Military Museum in 1944. There it remained, its legitimacy unchallenged, for sixty years until the current Marquis sold it to the Castile and Leon region for display in the Museum of Burgos.

Upon its sale, the Culture Ministry––which is connected to the Military Museum––launched a scholarly attack against the sword, saying it was forged centuries after El Cid’s lifetime. Castile and Leon launched a counterattack, upholding the sword’s authenticity in a different study and saying the Ministry was only jealous because it lost the sword.

In the epic poem, the “Lay of El Cid,” La Tizona was said to have terrified unworthy enemies into a swoon at mere sight. The sword in Burgos may not have made any museum visitors swoon, but it certainly seems to have the power to spark controversy. The sword’s authenticity remains a fierce debate.

The Ulfberht

Though mostly forgotten in modern times, there was a type of sword prized by Vikings that far exceeded any European weapon of its day. The Ulfberht swords were a thousand years ahead of their time, and wielded only by the elite of Viking warriors.

What made the Ulfberht blades so advanced? While most Viking blades were found to have been composed of slag-ridden, low-carbon steel, these blades’ metal was comparable to the strength of modern steel. They were inscribed with the signature “+ULFBERH+T,” and their like would not be seen again in Europe until the industrial revolution. The mystery was how the Vikings created these blades while the rest of Europe was still making steel that could shatter like glass.

Scholars now believe the secret to the Ulfberht blades was crucible steel, which the Vikings imported from Iran and Afghanistan. We can’t be certain who Ulfberht was––or even if he was just one man––but he was the only European smith of his time to work crucible steel. And that made his swords arguably the most advanced weapons of their time and place, ever.

source https://listverse.com/2013/11/16/10-mysterious-swords-from-legend-and-history/

Very interesting....thank you😊❤️❤️❤️❤️

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 8.23

30 BC – After the successful invasion of Egypt, Octavian executes Marcus Antonius Antyllus, eldest son of Mark Antony, and Caesarion, the last king of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt and only child of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra.[citation needed] 20 BC – Ludi Volcanalici are held within the temple precinct of Vulcan, and used by Augustus to mark the treaty with Parthia and the return of the legionary standards that had been lost at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BC.[citation needed] AD 79 – Mount Vesuvius begins stirring, on the feast day of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. 476 – Odoacer, chieftain of the Germanic tribes (Herulic - Scirian foederati), is proclaimed rex Italiae ("King of Italy") by his troops. 1244 – Siege of Jerusalem: The city's citadel, the Tower of David, surrenders to Khwarezmian Empire. 1268 – The Battle of Tagliacozzo marks the fall of the Hohenstaufen family from the Imperial and Sicilian thrones, and leading to the new chapter of Angevin domination in Southern Italy. 1305 – Sir William Wallace is executed for high treason at Smithfield, London. 1328 – Battle of Cassel: French troops stop an uprising of Flemish farmers. 1382 – Siege of Moscow: The Golden Horde led by Tokhtamysh lays siege to the capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. 1514 – The Battle of Chaldiran ends with a decisive victory for the Sultan Selim I, Ottoman Empire, over the Shah Ismail I, founder of the Safavid dynasty. 1521 – Christian II of Denmark is deposed as king of Sweden and Gustav Vasa is elected regent. 1541 – French explorer Jacques Cartier lands near Quebec City in his third voyage to Canada. 1572 – French Wars of Religion: Mob violence against thousands of Huguenots in Paris results in the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. 1595 – Long Turkish War: Wallachian prince Michael the Brave confronts the Ottoman army in the Battle of Călugăreni and achieves a tactical victory. 1600 – Battle of Gifu Castle: The eastern forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu defeat the western Japanese clans loyal to Toyotomi Hideyori, leading to the destruction of Gifu Castle and serving as a prelude to the Battle of Sekigahara. 1628 – George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, is assassinated by John Felton. 1655 – Battle of Sobota: The Swedish Empire led by Charles X Gustav defeats the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. 1703 – Edirne event: Sultan Mustafa II of the Ottoman Empire is dethroned. 1775 – American Revolutionary War: King George III delivers his Proclamation of Rebellion to the Court of St James's stating that the American colonies have proceeded to a state of open and avowed rebellion. 1784 – Western North Carolina (now eastern Tennessee) declares itself an independent state under the name of Franklin; it is not accepted into the United States, and only lasts for four years. 1799 – Napoleon I of France leaves Egypt for France en route to seizing power. 1813 – At the Battle of Großbeeren, the Prussians under Von Bülow repulse the French army. 1831 – Nat Turner's slave rebellion is suppressed. 1839 – The United Kingdom captures Hong Kong as a base as it prepares for the First Opium War with Qing China. 1864 – American Civil War: The Union Navy captures Fort Morgan, Alabama, thus breaking Confederate dominance of all ports on the Gulf of Mexico except Galveston, Texas. 1866 – Austro-Prussian War ends with the Treaty of Prague. 1873 – Albert Bridge in Chelsea, London opens. 1898 – The Southern Cross Expedition, the first British venture of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, departs from London. 1904 – The automobile tire chain is patented. 1914 – World War I: The British Expeditionary Force and the French Fifth Army begin their Great Retreat before the German Army. 1914 – World War I: Japan declares war on Germany. 1921 – British airship R-38 experiences structural failure over Hull in England and crashes in the Humber Estuary. Of her 49 British and American training crew, only four survive. 1923 – Captain Lowell Smith and Lieutenant John P. Richter performed the first mid-air refueling on De Havilland DH-4B, setting an endurance flight record of 37 hours. 1927 – Italian anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti are executed after a lengthy, controversial trial. 1929 – Hebron Massacre during the 1929 Palestine riots: Arab attack on the Jewish community in Hebron in the British Mandate of Palestine, continuing until the next day, resulted in the death of 65–68 Jews and the remaining Jews being forced to leave the city. 1939 – World War II: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression treaty, the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. In a secret addition to the pact, the Baltic states, Finland, Romania, and Poland are divided between the two nations. 1942 – World War II: Beginning of the Battle of Stalingrad. 1943 – World War II: Kharkiv is liberated by the Soviet Union after the Battle of Kursk. 1944 – World War II: Marseille is liberated by the Allies. 1944 – World War II: King Michael of Romania dismisses the pro-Nazi government of Marshal Antonescu, who is arrested. Romania switches sides from the Axis to the Allies. 1944 – Freckleton Air Disaster: A United States Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator bomber crashes into a school in Freckleton, England, killing 61 people. 1945 – World War II: Soviet–Japanese War: The USSR State Defense Committee issues Decree no. 9898cc "About Receiving, Accommodation, and Labor Utilization of the Japanese Army Prisoners of War". 1946 – Ordinance No. 46 of the British Military Government constitutes the German Länder (states) of Hanover and Schleswig-Holstein. 1948 – World Council of Churches is formed by 147 churches from 44 countries. 1954 – First flight of the Lockheed C-130 multi-role aircraft. 1958 – Chinese Civil War: The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis begins with the People's Liberation Army's bombardment of Quemoy. 1966 – Lunar Orbiter 1 takes the first photograph of Earth from orbit around the Moon. 1970 – Organized by Mexican American labor union leader César Chávez, the Salad Bowl strike, the largest farm worker strike in U.S. history, begins. 1973 – A bank robbery gone wrong in Stockholm, Sweden, turns into a hostage crisis; over the next five days the hostages begin to sympathise with their captors, leading to the term "Stockholm syndrome". 1975 – The start of the Wave Hill walk-off by Gurindji people in Australia, lasting eight years, a landmark event in the history of Indigenous land rights in Australia, commemorated in a 1991 Paul Kelly song and an annual celebration. 1975 – The Pontiac Silverdome opens in Pontiac, Michigan, 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Detroit, Michigan 1985 – Hans Tiedge, top counter-spy of West Germany, defects to East Germany. 1989 – Singing Revolution: Two million people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania stand on the Vilnius–Tallinn road, holding hands. This is called the Baltic Way or Baltic Chain. 1990 – Saddam Hussein appears on Iraqi state television with a number of Western "guests" (actually hostages) to try to prevent the Gulf War. 1990 – Armenia declares its independence from the Soviet Union. 1990 – West and East Germany announce that they will reunite on October 3. 1991 – The World Wide Web is opened to the public. 1994 – Eugene Bullard, the only African American pilot in World War I, is posthumously commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. 2000 – Gulf Air Flight 072 crashes into the Persian Gulf near Manama, Bahrain, killing 143. 2006 – Natascha Kampusch, who had been abducted at the age of ten, escapes from her captor Wolfgang Přiklopil, after eight years of captivity. 2007 – The skeletal remains of Russia's last royal family members Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia, and his sister Grand Duchess Anastasia are discovered near Yekaterinburg, Russia. 2011 – A magnitude 5.8 (class: moderate) earthquake occurs in Virginia. Damage occurs to monuments and structures in Washington D.C. and the resulted damage is estimated at $200 million–$300 million USD. 2011 – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is overthrown after the National Transitional Council forces take control of Bab al-Azizia compound during the Libyan Civil War. 2012 – A hot-air balloon crashes near the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, killing six people and injuring 28 others. 2013 – A riot at the Palmasola prison complex in Santa Cruz, Bolivia kills 31 people.