History of 19th June – Witch and Nobility
Explore the history of 19th June, starting with the origin of Father’s Day in 1910, followed by a story from 1603 about the Fulda witch trials, and finally, discover the transformative decree issued by the National Assembly of France in 1790, abolishing the titles, orders, and privileges of the French nobility during the French Revolution.
We celebrated Father’s Day yesterday, but do you know that the first ever Father’s Day was celebrated on the 19th of June 1910 in Spokane, Washington? So before I share more on the history of 19th June let us look at why and how the concept of Father’s Day started.
Way back in the year 1910, it was initiated by Sonora Smart Dodd in Spokane, Washington. This was to honor her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children as a single parent. Sonora Smart Dodd proposed the idea of a day to honor fathers, similar to Mother’s Day, which had already gained popularity. The first Father’s Day celebration took place on the third Sunday in June, and it has been celebrated annually ever since.
With this information let me share my first story from the history of 19th June.
Witch arrest
My first story from the history of 19th June goes back to the year 1603 when a tragic event unfolded in Fulda, Germany. It was this day when Merga Bien was arrested for witchcraft, marking the beginning of the infamous Fulda witch trials. These trials were part of the broader European witch-hunting frenzy that gripped the continent during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Merga Bien was one among approximately 250 individuals accused of practicing witchcraft in the region. The charges against them ranged from maleficium (harmful magic) to consorting with demons and causing harm to the community. The accusations were based on superstitious beliefs, rumors, and confessions extracted under duress.
Unfortunately, these witch trials followed a pattern seen in many other parts of Europe at the time. They were characterized by biased proceedings, a lack of proper legal representation for the accused, and the widespread use of torture to extract confessions. The trials served as a vehicle for societal anxieties, religious fervor, and the pursuit of power, resulting in the tragic deaths of numerous innocent people.
The fate of Merga Bien and the others accused was sealed when they were sentenced to death by burning at the stake. On a later date, they met their gruesome end, their lives unjustly extinguished due to the fear and hysteria surrounding witchcraft during that period.
The Fulda witch trials stand as a somber reminder of the darker chapters in human history, where superstition, prejudice, and ignorance led to the persecution and execution of innocent individuals.
Moving on with our next story from the history of 19th June we shift our focus to the French Revolution.
Abolishing the Titles, order, and privileges of French Nobility
The year was 1790 and the date was 19th June when the National Assembly of France took a decisive step towards the transformation of the country by issuing a decree that abolished the titles, orders, and privileges of the French nobility. This momentous event occurred during the early stages of the French Revolution, a period characterized by intense social and political upheaval.
The French Revolution, which commenced in 1789, was a time of great discontent and demands for change within French society. The system of governance under the monarchy, which had long privileged the nobility and clergy, was increasingly challenged by the Third Estate, which represented the commoners and sought greater equality and representation.
In an effort to address the grievances of the people and promote the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, the National Assembly embarked on a series of radical reforms. One of the key objectives was to dismantle the entrenched privileges enjoyed by the nobility, who held immense power and influence based on their birthright.
The decision to abolish the titles and privileges of the nobility was met with both support and opposition. Many commoners celebrated the measure as a crucial step towards equality and the dismantling of an unfair class system. However, some members of the nobility fiercely resisted the reforms, viewing them as a direct attack on their status and traditional privileges.
That brings us to the end of today’s episode. Have an energetic Monday.
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