The ritual of public penance - including death by burning - of condemned heretics, imposed by the Inquisition.
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Fact of the Day
American Charles Osborne suffered from hiccups for a record-breaking 68 years, from 1922 until 1990.
Quote of the Day
"Pray for me, now my calamity is at hand!
"
~ John Stubbs, just before having his hand removed for seditious writing, 1579
On This Day
39 Roman Emperor Titus, son of Vespasian, was born.
1460 Richard, Duke of York is killed at the Battle of Wakefield.
1887 A petition, signed by 1 million women in Britain, was sent to Queen Victoria. It called for pubs to be closed on Sundays.
1922 The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was established.
1999 Former Beatle George Harrison survived an assassination attempt at his Friar Park Estate.