1755 The Lisbon Earthquake TV - Niall Ferguson TV - Cliff Richard - Lord Byron -
70,917. The city of Lisbon on 1st November 1755 – All Saints Day. It’s one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. And the date of one of the greatest disasters in modern times. Sixty thousand people will die in one day alone. (Earthquake & Portugal & Tsunami & Disaster) 1755 The Lisbon Earthquake
70,918. An earthquake [1755] followed by a devastating tsunami striking with the speed and power that astonishes even the experts. (Earthquake & Portugal & Tsunami & Disaster) ibid.
70,919. Three continental plates converge here. Seismically this is a very active area ... Few realise how vulnerable Europe is. (Earthquake & Portugal & Tsunami & Disaster) ibid.
70,920. In the city the houses start to shake. People described a trembling as if a heavy coach were riding by outside. They do nothing and lose valuable time ... Somewhere to the south-west two continental plates suddenly shift with explosive power. Within two minutes the shock-waves reach the capital. At 9.40 a.m. every church bell in the city begins to ring on its own. Then the sky falls in. (Earthquake & Portugal & Tsunami & Disaster) ibid.
70,921. The 1755 earthquake was Big. (Earthquake & Portugal & Tsunami & Disaster) ibid.
61,477. By 1506 the Portuguese had a near monopoly on shipping along the east African coast. (Civilisation & Portugal) Niall Ferguson, Civilisation: Is the West History? I Competition 2011
85,565. But Portugal has a peaceful feel about it. I sit on the terrace overlooking the vineyard there and I feel cut off from the world. You need that sort of thing. Cliff Richard
85,566. O Christ! it is a goodly sight to see
What Heaven hath done for this delicious land! Lord Byron, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage I:15