aug 18, 1769 - The city of Brescia, Italy is devastated when the Church of San Nazaro is struck by lightning

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The resulting fire ignites 200,000 lb (90,000 kg) of gunpowder being stored there, causing a massive explosion, which destroys 1/6 of the city and kills 3,000 people. The disaster prompts the Roman Catholic Church to abandon their religious objection to using lightning rods to protect their property.

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