nov 1, 1755 - The Great Earthquake of Portugal is the most shattering natural phenomenon of the Age of Enlightenment. Striking at 9.30am on All Saints Day (1 November), it destroys much of Lisbon and many towns in parts of the Alentejo and Algarve (Faro, Lagos and Albufeira are devastated). In Lisbon, three major shocks within ten minutes, a host of rapidly spreading fires touched off by the candles of a hundred church altars, and a vast tidal wave (tsunami) that engulfs the seafront, leave 40,000 dead out of a total pop
Description:
PORTUGALAdded to timeline:
Date:
nov 1, 1755
Now
~ 268 years ago
