Historical Events tagged with "canary islands"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Natural Disasters

Cumbre Vieja Volcano Eruption on La Palma

September 19th, 2021 3 years ago

The Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma erupted, sending ash and lava cascading down its slopes. Emergency services evacuated thousands of residents as lava flows destroyed homes and farmland. Scientists monitored the eruption closely, as the volcano had been dormant since 1971. The eruption lasted for nearly three months and significantly impacted the island's landscape and economy.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Deadly Crash of Dan-Air Flight 1008

April 25th, 1980 44 years ago

On a fateful April evening, Dan-Air Flight 1008 tragically crashed near Los Rodeos Airport, claiming the lives of 146 individuals aboard. The flight was operating a charter service between the UK and the Canary Islands. Poor weather conditions and a series of navigational errors ultimately led to the aircraft colliding with a mountain slope shortly after takeoff. Rescue operations were launched, but due to the remote location and challenging environment, recovery efforts were hindered, making this one of the deadliest aviation accidents at the time.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Tenerife Airport Catastrophe Involving Two 747s

March 27th, 1977 47 years ago

Two Boeing 747 airliners collided at Tenerife North Airport in dense fog, resulting in the deadliest aviation accident in history. A KLM flight, in an attempt to take off, collided with a Pan Am flight that was taxiing on the same runway. The crash led to the deaths of 583 passengers and crew, with only 61 survivors from the Pan Am aircraft. The visibility was severely reduced due to an unexpected fog, which contributed to the tragic miscommunication between the aircraft and the airport control tower.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Nelson Wounded at Santa Cruz de Tenerife

July 22nd, 1797 227 years ago

During a fierce naval engagement, Spanish and British forces clashed off the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The British, under Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson, sought to capture the port as part of their campaign against Spain. The battle was marked by intense fighting, resulting in significant losses on both sides. Nelson was wounded in the arm, which led to its partial amputation, dramatically affecting his naval career and legacy.

Continue Reading
Exploration & Discovery

Columbus Departs La Gomera for the New World

September 6th, 1492 532 years ago

Christopher Columbus set sail from La Gomera, marking the beginning of his historic journey across the Atlantic. This departure involved three ships: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. After extensive preparations and delays, Columbus left the Canary Islands to seek a westward route to Asia. The Canaries served as a crucial last stop for provisioning before venturing into the uncharted waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Continue Reading
Exploration & Discovery

Christopher Columbus' Arrival in Canary Islands

August 12th, 1492 532 years ago

Christopher Columbus reached the Canary Islands on his first voyage to the New World, making a stop at this crucial waypoint. Columbus, sailing under the auspices of the Spanish Crown, sought a westward route to Asia. The islands served as a replenishing station for food and supplies before he continued his journey. During this stop, Columbus interacted with local inhabitants and prepared his ships for the daring voyage ahead into uncharted waters.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Castilian Conquest of Gran Canaria

April 29th, 1483 541 years ago

The Kingdom of Castile launched a campaign to conquer Gran Canaria, the main island of the Canary Islands. King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile aimed to extend their rule over the islands, which had been inhabited by the Guanche people. The military expedition faced significant resistance from the local inhabitants but ultimately succeeded in establishing control over the island, marking a critical step in the Spanish expansion into the Atlantic and subsequent colonization efforts.

Continue Reading
Religion & Philosophy

Pope Eugene IV's Decree on Guanche Enslavement

January 13th, 1435 590 years ago

Pope Eugene IV issued the bull 'Sicut Dudum', which prohibited the enslavement of Guanche natives in the Canary Islands who had converted or were converting to Christianity. This decree aimed to protect the indigenous population from exploitation by Spanish settlers, emphasizing their newfound faith's significance. The bull represented a response to the burgeoning plantation economy in the islands and the treatment of the indigenous people, reinforcing the Church's position on ethical treatment and conversion.

Continue Reading