421 Venice, History: This is the date legendary foundation date of the city in the lagoon. It was never a republic nor was it ever serene. Several books about Venice are discussed elsewhere on this blog. We hope to visit it later this year.
1296 Florence, Architecture: Work began on the Brunelleschi dome of the Santa Maria Cathedral. It was finished in 1436. It was a marvel of the age. One observer at the time said the dome was apparently suspended by the light. We have marvelled at it with out own eyes.
1634 Baltimore (MD), History: The first settlers arrived on the south shore of Chesapeake Bay. King Charles I had charted the land to Lord Baltimore who named it for the King’s wife, Henrietta Maria. Baltimore was sovereign over the land apart from any gold or silver which went to the King. For decades it was a haven for Roman Catholics escaping persecution. To attract settlers Baltimore encouraged more religious toleration than was common at the time when murder was the alternative to conversion.
1807 London, Politics: The British parliament abolished slave trading throughout its Empire. In time it took active measures on the seas to disrupt the slave trade.
1957 Rome, Politics: The Treaty of Rome was signed by the six original members of the European Common Market. They were France, West Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. A biography of one of its visionary architects, Jean Monnet, is discussed elsewhere on this blog.
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