November 18. Note that I won't recover items previously posted.
1302. Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal Bull Unam Sanctam (One Faith). Perhaps THE most extreme statement of papal supremacy every made, the doctrine proclaims that there is absolutely NO path to heaven save through the Church, and that submission to the Pope as supreme head of the Church is a necessary part of being a member of the Church, and thus the ability to attain salvation. Stated a bit differently, all who wish to belong to the fold of Christ have absolutely no choice but to fall under the dominion of Peter (the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic dogma) and his successors.
All others are doomed to eternal torment in Hell. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
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Originally Posted by Unam Sanctam
Now, therefore, we declare, say, determine and pronounce that for every human creature it is necessary for salvation to be subject to the authority of the Roman pontiff" (Porro subesse Romano Pontifici omni humanae creaturae declaramus, dicimus, definimus, et pronuntiamus omnino esse de necessitate salutis) |
1626. St. Peter's Basilica is consecrated.
1903. A treaty is signed giving the US exclusive rights over the Panama Canal zone.
1916. British General (soon to be Field Marshal) Douglas Haig gives the order to end the First Battle of the Somme, which had begun on July 1 and saw over a million casualties, combined, as well as the first serious introduction of the tank. There is much dispute about the advantages gained (or not) and damage inflicted (or not) as a result of the battle. While the Allies pushed the Germans back somewhat, the Germans also shortened their defensive lines, and generally improved their defensive position as a result. There's also mixed evidence about whether the battle seriously impacted the German's ability to replace casualties for the remainder of the war. Only one thing is clear about the battle -- it was horrific beyond measure.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by German Officer
Somme. The whole history of the world cannot contain a more ghastly word
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1938. John L. Lewis is elected first President of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO, later to be part of the AFL-CIO).
2003. In a 50 page, 4-3, decision, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court extends equal rights protections to same-sex civil unions.