The Great Comet of 1861 is discovered by John Tebbutt of Windsor, New South Wales, Australia.

The Great Comet of 1861, officially known as C/1861 J1 and informally as the Great Comet, is a famous comet that was first observed by John Tebbutt, an Australian astronomer, on May 13, 1861.

Brightness and Visibility: The Great Comet of 1861 was exceptionally bright, visible to the naked eye, and one of the most spectacular comets of the 19th century. Its appearance was so impressive that it could be seen even during the day close to the sun.

Tail: It had an extraordinarily large and bright tail, which extended across a significant portion of the night sky. At its peak, the tail spread over a great distance in the sky, reportedly up to 90 degrees.

Orbital Characteristics: The comet has a very long orbital period, estimated to be about 409 years, meaning it will not return to the inner solar system until around the year 2270.

Scientific Interest: The appearance of the comet in 1861 provided a unique opportunity for scientists of the time to study the properties of comets more closely. Observations of the comet contributed to the understanding of the nature of comets’ tails, their interactions with the solar wind, and their orbital dynamics.

Cultural Impact: The comet had a significant cultural impact as well, being recorded and described in numerous contemporary accounts and artworks. Its appearance coincided with a period of intense interest in astronomy among the general public.

The Great Comet of 1861 remains a subject of historical interest in the field of astronomy, illustrating the impact such celestial events can have on both scientific inquiry and public imagination.

Dutch statesman Johan van Oldenbarnevelt is executed in The Hague after being convicted of treason.

Johan van Oldenbarnevelt was a prominent Dutch statesman and diplomat who played a significant role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spanish rule during the 16th and 17th centuries. He served as the Grand Pensionary of Holland, the highest political office in the Dutch Republic, from 1586 until his downfall in 1619.

Van Oldenbarnevelt’s conviction for treason was a result of political and religious conflicts within the Dutch Republic. During his time in office, he had a close working relationship with the Dutch military leader, Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange. However, differences in political ideology and religious beliefs eventually led to a bitter rivalry between the two.

One of the main sources of conflict between van Oldenbarnevelt and Prince Maurice was their differing approaches to dealing with the Spanish Habsburgs. Van Oldenbarnevelt advocated for a diplomatic and negotiated settlement with Spain, while Prince Maurice favored a more aggressive military strategy. These differences were further exacerbated by religious tensions between the Calvinists and the more moderate religious factions within the Dutch Republic.

In 1618, a series of events unfolded that eventually led to van Oldenbarnevelt’s downfall. A synod, known as the Synod of Dort, was convened to resolve religious disputes within the Dutch Reformed Church. Van Oldenbarnevelt, along with other moderate politicians, supported a policy of religious tolerance and sought to prevent the domination of the Calvinist church.

The Synod of Dort, dominated by Calvinist representatives, declared van Oldenbarnevelt and his supporters to be heretics and enemies of the state. Taking advantage of the situation, Prince Maurice orchestrated a political coup, arresting van Oldenbarnevelt and his allies and charging them with treason.

Van Oldenbarnevelt’s trial was highly contentious and politically motivated. He was accused of conspiring against the state, supporting Spain, and undermining the authority of Prince Maurice. Despite mounting a spirited defense, van Oldenbarnevelt was found guilty of treason and sentenced to death.

On May 13, 1619, van Oldenbarnevelt was executed by beheading in The Hague. His death was met with shock and outrage by many within the Dutch Republic and marked a turning point in the country’s political landscape. The execution of van Oldenbarnevelt highlighted the growing power of Prince Maurice and the triumph of Calvinism over religious tolerance in the Dutch Republic.

However, it is worth noting that van Oldenbarnevelt’s reputation and legacy have undergone significant reassessment over time. Many historians now view him as a skilled and pragmatic statesman who played a crucial role in the early years of Dutch independence. His conviction for treason is often seen as a product of political rivalries and religious conflicts rather than a true reflection of his actions.

The inaugural Formula One World Championship race takes place at Silverstone Circuit.

Alison Hargreaves, a 33-year-old British mother, becomes the first woman to conquer Everest without oxygen or the help of sherpas.

Forty-nine dismembered bodies are discovered by Mexican authorities on Mexican Federal Highway 40.

[rdp-wiki-embed url=’https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadereyta_Jim%C3%A9nez_massacre’]

Over 900 unarmed Bengali Hindus are murdered in what became known as the Demra massacre.

Demra massacre in Bangladesh was the massacre of unarmed Hindu residents of the villages under Demra Union in present-day Faridpur Upazila in Pabna District by the occupying Pakistan Army aided by local collaborators on 13 May 1971. It is estimated that 800–900 people were killed in a single day. Rape and plunder were also carried out, and mosques, temples, schools and houses were set on fire.

When the Pakistani occupation army spread out from Dhaka towards the districts as a part of the Operation Searchlight, the people began to flee their homes. The Hindus began to flee Bangladesh and take refuge in neighbouring India. On their way they had taken shelter in the remote village of Baushgari in Demra union.

The Pakistani occupation army, led by the local collaborators entered the area through the Boral river and then cordoned off the Baushgari and Rupsi villages. One collaborator named Asad led the Pakistani troops to the Baushgari village. In the nightfall, the men were dragged out of their houses and made to stand in a line, while the women were raped in front of them by the Pakistani troops with the help of the collaborators. After that both the men and women were shot to death and their houses were set on fire. A few survivors interred the charred remains of the bodies in a mass grave the next morning. Around 350 Hindus were killed in Baushgari village.

An 11-member team from the International Crimes Tribunal investigated the Demra massacre in 2010. The team was led by Sayed Rejaur Rahman, one of the prosecutors of the tribunal. The investigators visited the killing spots in Baushgari village and interviewed the witnesses to the war crimes. In their investigation they found Motiur Rahman Nizami guilty of masterminding the massacre. Nizami was convicted and executed by hanging in 2016

Over 900 Bengali Hindus are murdered in the Demra massacre.

Demra massacre in Bangladesh was the massacre of unarmed Hindu residents of the villages under Demra Union in present-day Faridpur Upazila in Pabna District by the Pakistani occupation army aided by local collaborators on 13 May 1971. It is estimated that 800–900 people were killed in a single day. Rape and plunder were also carried out, and mosques, temples, schools and houses were set on fire.

When the Pakistani occupation army spread out from Dhaka towards the districts as a part of the Operation Searchlight, the people began to flee their homes. The Hindus began to flee Bangladesh and take refuge in neighbouring India. On their way they had taken shelter in the remote village of Baushgari in Demra union.

he Pakistani occupation army, led by the local collaborators entered the area through the Boral river and then cordoned off the Baushgari and Rupsi villages. One collaborator named Asad led the Pakistani troops to the Baushgari village. In the nightfall, the men were dragged out of their houses and made to stand in a line, while the women were raped in front of them by the Pakistani troops with the help of the collaborators. After that both the men and women were shot to death and their houses were set on fire. A few survivors interred the charred remains of the bodies in a mass grave the next morning. Around 350 Hindus were killed in Baushgari village.

An 11-member team from the International Crimes Tribunal investigated the Demra massacre in 2010. The team was led by Sayed Rejaur Rahman, one of the prosecutors of the tribunal. The investigators visited the killing spots in Baushgari village and interviewed the witnesses to the war crimes. In their preliminary investigation they found Motiur Rahman Nizami guilty of masterminding the massacre.

The Royal Flying Corps, which later became the Royal Air Force, is established in the United Kingdom.

The Great Comet of 1861 is first discovered by John Tebbutt from Australia.