major siege of the Cologne War (1583–89). A formidable 13th-century
fortress, the Godesburg (pictured c. 1500), sat on top of the
Godesberg mountain, towering over the Rhine valley. It commanded the
roads leading to Bonn, the Elector of Cologne's capital city, and
Cologne, the region's economic powerhouse. By the mid-16th century, the
Godesburg was considered nearly impregnable and had become a symbol of
the dual power of the Prince-electors and Archbishops of Cologne.
Bavarian and mercenary soldiers surrounded the mountain and the village
then of the same name, now Bad Godesberg, at its foot. The Godesburg
resisted a lengthy cannonade by the attacking army; finally, sappers
tunneled into the the mountain and blew up a significant part of the
fortifications. This killed many of the defenders, but the remainder
offered staunch resistance and the Bavarians had to enter the castle's
inner courtyard through the latrine system to succeed. The Godesburg's
commander negotiated safe passage for himself, his wife and his
lieutenant. The others who were left in the keep—men, women and
children—were killed.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Godesberg>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1812:
Napoleonic Wars: During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, Marshal
Michel Ney's leadership in the Battle of Krasnoi earned him the nickname
"the bravest of the brave" despite the overwhelming French defeat.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Krasnoi>
1872:
American suffragette Susan B. Anthony was arrested and fined
$100 for having voted in the U.S. presidential election in Rochester,
New York, two weeks prior.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony>
1928:
Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie, the first completely post-
produced synchronized sound animated cartoon, was released.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steamboat_Willie>
1987:
In London, an underground fire killed 31 people at King's Cross
St Pancras.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Cross_fire>
1991:
Croatian War of Independence: Yugoslav People's Army forces
captured the Croatian city of Vukovar, ending an 87-day siege.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vukovar>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
full circle:
1. Through a rotation or revolution that ends at the starting point.
2. (idiomatic) Through a cycle of transition, returning to where one
started after gaining experience or exploring other things.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/full_circle>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
The world is so full of people, so crowded with these miracles
that they become commonplace and we forget... I forget. We gaze
continually at the world and it grows dull in our perceptions. Yet seen
from the another's vantage point, as if new, it may still take our
breath away. Come... dry your eyes, for you are life, rarer than a quark
and unpredictable beyond the dreams of Heisenberg. Come, dry your eyes.
And let's go home.
--Watchmen
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Watchmen>
_______________________________________________
Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list.
To unsubscribe, visit:
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/daily-article-l
Questions or comments? Contact dal-feedback@wikimedia.org