What is the Most Curious Historical Fact You Know?
Hold Up, Our Calendars Are Lying!
When you’re juggling your next birthday party or marking important dates, here’s a head-scratcher for you: International Book Day is celebrated on April 23rd to honor the anniversary of the deaths of both Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare in 1616. It seems fitting, right? However, here’s where things get interesting: neither of them actually died on April 23rd!
First, let’s tackle Cervantes. The Spanish literary titan died on April 22nd, 1616. He was buried the next day, which is probably why some confusion arose about the date. Now, Shakespeare—this one’s a real doozy. According to historical records, Shakespeare supposedly died on April 23rd, 1616. But wait, it gets even wackier! England was still using the Julian calendar, which was not yet in sync with the Gregorian calendar used by much of Europe. According to the Julian calendar, Shakespeare’s death date would actually be May 3rd on the modern Gregorian calendar.
So, here we have this international celebration pegged to a date that, strictly speaking, is only correct for neither of the writers involved. It’s a fascinating quirk in the world of history and calendars!
International Book Day: A Historical Mistake?
International Book Day was established to commemorate the deaths of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, yet both events did not coincide on April 23rd, 1616. This discrepancy raises interesting questions about the history of calendar systems and the significance of exact dates in historical commemorations. Yet the celebration continues, honoring the enduring legacies of these remarkable authors in a way that speaks to the timeless nature of literature.
More Curious Historical Facts
Henry VIII’s First Wife: A Culinary Encounter
Henry VIII’s first wife, Katherine of Aragon, was a gastronomical pioneer in a land where fresh greens were scarce. In the royal court of the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople, at the end of the 11th and 12th centuries, Anglo-Saxon English was spoken widely, a result of the Varangian Guard, a personal guard of the emperor, including a sizable contingent of Anglo-Saxon nobility who had fled England post-William the Conqueror’s invasion in 1066.
Katherine of Aragon, despite the challenging climatic conditions in England, craved salads, and Henry took great pains to gratify her, spending considerable money and effort on importing greenhouses, plants, and caretakers who knew how to grow these foreign fruits and vegetables. This story highlights the cross-cultural exchange and peculiar culinary experiences shaped by historical events.
Anglo-Saxon Nobles in Byzantium
The Varangians, or Pagans, sent by Norse leaders from Norway and Sweden to guard Constantinople, included many English noble families that couldn’t adapt to Norman rule. These lords left England in large fleets and ventured into the Mediterranean, finding their way to Constantinople. The Byzantine Emperor, inspired by their presence and military prowess, offered them a place in his elite Varangian Guard. In return, these Angles and Saxons were granted land in what is now called Nova Anglia, a sizeable Anglo-Saxon colony along the Black Sea. This colony, consisting of several well-fortified towns, endured for several centuries, a testament to the enduring influence of Anglo-Saxon culture beyond the shores of its home.
Why We Remember Manila, Not Londina?
Although Londina, an Anglo-Saxon town, is depicted on 16th-century maps of the region, it is not as commonly recognized as the Spanish city of Manila. This discrepancy could be attributed to the historical prominence of Spanish rule in the region, overshadowing the earlier Anglo-Saxon presence. Nevertheless, the discovery of Londina in historical records opens the door to an intriguing chapter of Anglo-Saxon history in what is now Ukraine.
These historical facts not only provide us with interesting trivia but also reveal the intricate interplay of cultural exchanges and shifts in power across continents. They remind us that history is often a rich tapestry of coincidences and misunderstandings, enriching our understanding of the world's past.