Events

Great Fire of London (1666) Great Fire of London A major urban conflagration that swept through central London from 2–6 September 1666, destroying large parts of the medieval city and prompting extensive rebuilding in its afterma…

Great Fire of Meireki (Edo, 1657) Great fire of Meireki A catastrophic urban fire in March 1657 that destroyed much of Edo (modern Tokyo), caused large loss of life, and prompted major rebuilding and fire-prevention reforms under the To…

Great Fire of New York (1776) A major September 1776 conflagration in Manhattan during the American Revolutionary War that destroyed a substantial portion of New York City; its origin remains debated.

Great Flood of 1951 A major mid‑20th century flood in Kansas and Missouri caused widespread inundation along the Kansas River and its tributaries in June–July 1951, producing large economic damage and…

Great Flood of 1993: Mississippi and Missouri River floods across the U.S. Midwest Great Flood of 1993 Major Midwest flooding from April to September 1993 that inundated the Mississippi and Missouri River basins, affected nine states, caused widespread damage, and prompted changes i…

Great Hurricane of 1780 — the deadliest Atlantic storm on record Great hurricane of 1780 A comprehensive overview of the Great Hurricane of 1780, its path through the Caribbean, estimated intensity, human and naval losses, historical context and lasting significance.

Great Ireland Run — annual 10 km road race in Dublin's Phoenix Park Great Ireland Run The Great Ireland Run is a mass-participation and elite 10 km road race held each April in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Part of the Great Run series, it includes a youth fun run and attra…

Great Plague of London (1665–1666): outbreak, causes, impact and aftermath Great Plague of London The 1665–1666 Great Plague of London was a major outbreak of bubonic plague that killed a large fraction of the city's population and influenced public health, urban life and rebui…

Great Stink of London Great Stink The Great Stink was the summer 1858 pollution crisis in London, when sewage in the Thames produced overpowering odors and pushed the city toward major sewer reform.

Great Train Robbery (1963) — the UK mail train heist at Bridego Bridge Great Train Robbery (1963) The 1963 robbery of a Royal Mail train at Bridego Bridge near Ledburn, Buckinghamshire, which yielded £2.6 million. Overview of the crime, participants, investigation, aftermath an…

Greatest Royal Rumble (2018 WWE event) Greatest Royal Rumble A WWE supershow held in Jeddah on April 27, 2018, notable for a record 50-man Royal Rumble, the defense of all male main-roster titles and its place in WWE’s Saudi Arabia partnersh…

Grenfell Tower fire The 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in west London was a catastrophic high-rise blaze that killed 72 people, exposed failures in building safety and housing policy, and prompted national…

Grito de Dolores The Grito de Dolores was the rallying call given by Father Miguel Hidalgo in 1810 that sparked Mexico's war of independence; it is commemorated each year as the nation’s foundation…

Gulf War (1990–1991): invasion of Kuwait and the U.S.-led coalition Gulf War Conflict sparked by Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait; a U.S.-led coalition conducted Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991, liberating Kuwait and producing lasting politi…

Gunpowder Plot (1605) Gunpowder Plot An attempted assassination and political conspiracy in 1605 to blow up the English Parliament and kill King James I — discovered before it could be carried out; its failure shaped…

Habemus Papam — the traditional proclamation announcing a new pope Habemus Papam Habemus Papam is the Latin declaration made when a new pope has been elected, announced from St Peter’s Basilica and followed by the pope’s first public blessing (Urbi et Orbi).

Halifax Explosion (1917): causes, impact, and legacy Halifax Explosion A catastrophic accidental explosion in Halifax Harbour on December 6, 1917, when the munitions ship SS Mont-Blanc collided with SS Imo. Massive loss of life, widespread destruction…

Hamamatsu Festival Hamamatsu Festival is a civic celebration in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan held May 3–5 during Golden Week, known for large kite battles on Nakatajima dunes and lively neighborhood fl…

Hanami: Japanese flower-viewing tradition and its cultural significance Hanami Hanami is the Japanese custom of viewing flowering trees—especially cherry blossoms (sakura). This article explains its origins, rituals, timing, cultural meaning, and modern varia…

Hanau shootings (19 February 2020) Hanau shootings Two mass shootings at shisha bars in Hanau, Hesse, Germany on 19 Feb 2020 killed nine people; the suspect later killed his mother and himself. Authorities treated the attacks as xe…

Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival Annual winter festival in Harbin, China, known for massive illuminated ice and snow sculptures, ice lantern traditions, winter sports and international artistic competitions held e…

Haymarket affair — 1886 Chicago labor protest, bombing, trial and legacy Haymarket affair An 1886 bombing and violent confrontation at a Chicago labor rally that led to a controversial trial of anarchists and helped shape international labor observances and debates abou…

Heaven's Gate (UFO religious group) Heaven's Gate Heaven's Gate was an American religious movement led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, combining UFO beliefs, New Age and Christian ideas; it became widely known after a c…

Hell in a Cell (2009) — inaugural WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view Hell in a Cell (2009) The first Hell in a Cell pay-per-view produced by WWE on October 4, 2009 at the Prudential Center. Fans voted the event name; it launched an annual themed show built around the enc…

Hell in a Cell (2013) — WWE pay-per-view in Miami Hell in a Cell (2013) Hell in a Cell (2013) was a WWE pay-per-view held October 27, 2013 at American Airlines Arena in Miami. The show highlighted the signature Hell in a Cell match and was the fifth an…

Hell in a Cell (2014) — WWE pay-per-view in Dallas Hell in a Cell (2014) Hell in a Cell (2014) was WWE's October 26 pay-per-view at American Airlines Center in Dallas, headlined by John Cena vs Randy Orton and Seth Rollins vs Dean Ambrose.

Heraia: the ancient footraces for women at Olympia Heraia The Heraia were ancient Greek footraces held at Olympia in honor of Hera. They featured unmarried women from Elis, ritual weaving and offerings, and prizes that combined athletic a…

Hijrah (Hegira): the Migration That Founded the Islamic Calendar Hijrah Hijrah (also Hijra or Hegira) is the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, a turning point that established the first Muslim community and marks y…

Hillsborough disaster (15 April 1989) Hillsborough disaster A fatal crowd crush at Hillsborough Stadium during the 1989 FA Cup semi‑final that killed 97 people, led to safety reforms, long inquiries, and major legal and cultural consequence…

Hipercor bombing (19 June 1987) Hipercor bombing A car bomb attack by the Basque separatist group ETA at the Hipercor shopping centre in Barcelona on 19 June 1987 that killed 21 people and injured 45, prompting national outrage a…

Hōei eruption of Mount Fuji (1707–1708) Hōei eruption of Mount Fuji Major explosive eruption of Mount Fuji that began Dec 16, 1707, produced large ashfall and new Hōei vents, affected regions as far as Edo, and left a crater visited today; possibly…

Home Run Derby (Major League Baseball event) Home Run Derby A seasonally held exhibition contest in Major League Baseball where selected hitters compete to hit the most home runs. Began in 1985 and has used several formats over time.

Homecoming (alumni and school celebration) Homecoming Homecoming is a tradition mainly in the United States where schools and organizations welcome back former students and members with events like parades, games, dances and reunions.

Human Be‑In (San Francisco, January 1967) Human Be-In A mass gathering in Golden Gate Park on January 14, 1967 that crystallized the 1960s hippie counterculture and helped spark the Summer of Love in San Francisco.

Hurricane Agnes (1972): flood impacts and legacy Hurricane Agnes A Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in June 1972 whose heavy rains and floods devastated parts of the U.S., causing around $3 billion in damage, roughly 130 deaths, and prompting long-…

Hurricane Alicia (August 1983) Hurricane Alicia Hurricane Alicia was a Category 3 Atlantic hurricane that made landfall in southeast Texas in August 1983, killing 21 people and causing approximately $2.6 billion in damage (1983…

Hurricane Andrew (1992) Hurricane Andrew Powerful and destructive Atlantic hurricane of 1992 that struck the Bahamas, south Florida and Louisiana; notable for extreme wind damage, high insured losses, and long-term policy…

Hurricane Barry (2019) A Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in July 2019 that formed from a mesoscale convective vortex, made two Louisiana landfalls, and produced heavy rainfall, storm surge and widespread f…

Hurricane Beryl Hurricane Beryl refers to several Atlantic storms sharing the name; in 2018 Beryl formed as a subtropical cyclone and brought relatively minor damage to the Lesser Antilles.

Hurricane Betsy (1965): Major Atlantic Hurricane and New Orleans Flooding Hurricane Betsy Hurricane Betsy (1965) — a major Atlantic storm that hit the Bahamas, Florida and Louisiana; powerful winds and storm surge flooded New Orleans via Lake Pontchartrain, causing hist…

Hurricane Bud (2012) Hurricane Bud was the first hurricane of the 2012 Eastern Pacific season, forming off western Mexico in late May 2012 and producing heavy rains, coastal impacts and infrastructure…

Hurricane Celia (1970): impact on Corpus Christi and legacy Hurricane Celia A concise guide to Hurricane Celia, the strongest Atlantic storm of 1970. Covers its strike on the Corpus Christi, Texas region, nearly $930 million in damage, effects, and its pla…

Hurricane Dennis (July 2005): early-season major Atlantic hurricane and U.S. landfall Hurricane Dennis Overview of Hurricane Dennis (July 2005), an early-season major Atlantic hurricane that made U.S. landfall—causing about $4 billion in damage and roughly 89 deaths, notable for rap…

Hurricane Diane (1955): catastrophic flooding on the U.S. East Coast Hurricane Diane Hurricane Diane (August 1955) produced extreme rainfall and severe flooding across the U.S. East Coast, compounding earlier storms and prompting major relief, rebuilding, and retir…

Hurricane Donna (1960): track, impacts, and legacy Hurricane Donna Hurricane Donna was a powerful 1960 Cape Verde hurricane that swept from the Lesser Antilles across Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Bahamas, then up the U.S. East Coast — causing widespr…

Hurricane Edna (September 1954) — New England landfall and impacts Hurricane Edna Hurricane Edna was a powerful 1954 Atlantic hurricane that struck Cape Cod and parts of New England in September, causing coastal damage, widespread outages and 20 fatalities short…

Hurricane Eloise (September 1975) Hurricane Eloise Powerful and destructive Atlantic hurricane in September 1975 that struck Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and northwest Florida, causing widespread damage, about 80 deaths and major floodi…

Hurricane Emily (2005) Powerful July 2005 Atlantic hurricane; the only known Category 5 in July. Rapidly intensified, struck parts of the Caribbean and Mexico, caused nearly $1 billion in damage and mult…