Something is going to happen today that hasn't happened since 1554

Now, most people who frequent this blog weren't alive in 1554. In fact maybe only readers Nancy R and Larry K were alive in 1554.

But what is it that will happen today that hasn't happened in so long? Glad you asked. Today as some may know is the first day of winter, aka the Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year. There is ALSO a full lunar eclipse tonight and those two things haven't happened on the same day since 1554. We're also guessing that last time it happened that the general populace was a little conflicted about it all and no doubt virgins were sacrificed into volcanos.

So, stargazer, if you're out tonight simply look up. The Washington Post kindly helps out on the timing:

The eclipse will start about 2:41 a.m. Eastern and last for more than three hours. Thanks to the confluence with the winter solstice, the moon will appear at the highest peak in the sky, affording better views for all would-be astronomers.

You may wonder just what WAS happening in 1554, here are a couple nuggets of info:

*Heavy earthquake kills 830,000 in Shensi Province, China
*Kings Henri I and Philip II sign Treaty of Vaucelles
*Cardinal Reginald Pole becomes archbishop of Canterbury
*Portuguese Marranos who revert back to Judaism burned by order of Pope
*Pope Paul IV refuses to crown Ferdinand of Austria emperor
*King Philip II confers with Dutch financial experts
(the Pope was pretty much a dick back in those days eh?)