Most things are slowly built, more quickly destroyed. The village on the Tiber River known as Rome had been building, with the normal ebb and flow of the times, for centuries. It was nearly destroyed in eight days. Some accounts say that two thirds of the homes in Rome were laid waste, art was ripped from walls and burned - or stolen if it was gold. Charles de Bourbon had run through his inheritance, but still had dreams of glory leading his mercenary army. He couldn't pay them, so he turned them loose on Rome.
Zeppelin built dirigibles pretty slowly, but to lift them in the air they filled the cells with hydrogen. Hydrogen may be the most common element in the universe, but it isn't stable by itself. In fact it's explosive. On the first flight of its second year in service, the Hindenburg went down in flames, along with a third of its passengers. In minutes.
I don't have a capsule description of what Robespierre destroyed, but he also managed to destroy a lot of things quickly. The French aristocracy, much of the fresh good reputation of republican government, and his own career and life.
As a counter example we have Emmanuel Celler, a politician who went to Congress and stayed for fifty years, never running for President, calmly drafting legislation that he believed in, culminating in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
1432 - Flemish artist Jan van Eyck, 61, finished the altarpiece for St. John's Church in Ghent, Belgium. Van Eyck's work is noted for its descriptive realism and intensive color.
1527 - Spanish and German mercenaries under the command of Charles de Bourbon and the flag of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V looted northern Italy in lieu of wages that Bourbon couldn't pay. On this day they breached the walls of Rome, and for eight days pillaged and plundered, raped and murdered. Known as the Sack of Rome, this event ended the Italian Renaissance. The artist Benvenuto Cellini claimed to have killed Bourbon with a crossbow. The Emperor denied ordering the assault on Rome and apologized to the Pope.
1937 - The Hindenburg, a Zeppelin-built dirigible 804 feet (245 meters) long, powered by four 1,100-horsepower diesel engines, docked at Lakehurst, New Jersey carrying 97 passengers. It is probable that atmospheric electricity ignited hydrogen at a leak, although anti-Nazi sabotage was possible, and the ship rapidly burst into flame. Thirty six persons died. Ten scheduled Trans-Atlantic round trips had been made in 1936, the fire ended the commercial use of dirigibles.
Hidrellez, Turkey - The feast day of saint-prophet Khidr (Hizir), magical and religious rites are observed, the date was historically set to mark the beginning of growth for the year, the budding of plants. Believed to be the date of the revelation of biblical prophet Elijah (Ellez) which is included in the festival.
1758 - Maximilien Francois Marie Isidore Robespierre, French lawyer, politician - Born in Arras, educated in Paris, fanatical devotee of French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau (slept with a copy of "Social Contract"). Reputation for honesty and compassion, resigned as judge rather than pronounce a required death sentence. Joined and soon led the Jacobin Club, oratory led to demand to execute the king, headed Committee of Public Safety which managed most of the reign of terror. Made threats against National Convention, was arrested, shot himself (left jaw hanging off), and was guillotined hours later on 28 July 1794.
1859 - Luis Maria Drago, Argentine politician, jurist. Protested the 1902 blockade of Venezuelan ports by England, Italy, and Germany, argued that public debt by an American state could not be collected by military force or occupation. The Drago Doctrine was adopted at the 1907 Hague Peace Conference. Arbitrated Atlantic fisheries disputes 1909 - 1910. Died 1921.
1888 - Emmanuel Celler, US politician - Born in Brooklyn, New York, graduated Columbia Law School 1912, practiced in New York, appeal agent on draft board in WW I. Democrat, US House of Representatives 1923 - 1973, chaired Judiciary Committee. Argued to form radio network to rebut German propaganda, investigated baseball's reserve clause, argued against anti-trust exemption for baseball. Wrote most of 1963 Civil Rights Act. Died 15 January 1981.
Revolt and terror pay a price. Order and law have a cost.
- Carl Sandburg
A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only
a fool trusts either of them.
- P. J. O'Rourke
There are three wants which can never be satisfied: that of the rich,
who want something more; that of the sick, who want something different;
and that of the traveler, who says, "Anywhere but here."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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