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The conspiracy against the Medici family had been simmering for quite some time, primarily driven by the rival banking families, the Pazzi and the Salviati, who were frustrated by the Medici’s dominance in Florence. In the lead-up to Easter in 1478, the Pazzis successfully garnered implicit backing from key figures, including the Archbishop of Pisa and Pope Sixtus IV. At a predetermined moment—debate persists whether this occurred during the elevation of the Host or at the conclusion of the mass—the plotters made their move.
The attack commenced when Bernardo Baroncelli lunged at Giuliano de’ Medici, exclaiming “Here, traitor!” This was only the beginning; the assault continued relentlessly, turning Giuliano’s white shirt crimson with blood. Concurrently, two priests armed with knives targeted Lorenzo de’ Medici, but despite sustaining a wound to his neck, Lorenzo managed to fend them off with a short sword until a friend secured him inside the sacristy.
With Lorenzo surviving the ambush, the Pazzi conspiracy faltered. The conspirators couldn’t rally the support of the local populace or the city guard, and the tide quickly shifted against them. Many were brutally beaten and stripped by an enraged mob, with some reports even indicating that the mob attacked their bodies with their teeth. Lorenzo went on to govern Florence for another 14 years, earning the title ‘the Magnificent’. | Written by Dominic Sandbrook
26 April 1710
The birth of the Scottish philosopher Thomas Reid near Aberdeen marked a significant moment in the intellectual landscape. A contemporary and critical voice against David Hume, Reid became a foundational figure in what is known as the ‘common sense’ school of philosophy.
26 April 1711
David Hume, a philosopher and historian recognized as one of the leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, entered the world in Edinburgh on this date.
26 April 1812
Born in Essen, German industrialist Alfred Krupp would go on to shape the arms manufacturing sector significantly. Under his leadership, the Krupp company initiated the production of military ordnance, culminating in nearly 25,000 guns by the time of his death in 1887.
26 April 1889
In Vienna, philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein was born into a wealthy Austrian family. His formative years included attending the same school in Linz as Adolf Hitler.
26 April 1923
Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married Albert, Duke of York—who would later become King George VI—at Westminster Abbey. This occasion was marked by Elizabeth laying her bouquet at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior; a gesture that has since been emulated by subsequent royal brides.
26 April 1937: Guernica is battered by a three-hour bombing raid
Franco’s allies unleash hell on an unsuspecting Basque town
On 26 April 1937, the residents of Guernica experienced an ordinary day suddenly turned catastrophic. The weekly market was alive with activity, drawing a crowd of approximately 10,000, yet tranquility was soon shattered by the arrival of bombers.
At 4:40 PM, a wave of aircraft launched their assault on the town, with both German and Italian forces indiscriminately bombing the area. The devastation was widespread, not only demolishing buildings but also targeting the municipal water supply to hinder firefighting efforts. With many homes constructed from timber, the use of incendiary bombs led to rampant fires throughout Guernica.
Eyewitness accounts, such as that of a priest named Father Alberto Onaindía, painted a harrowing picture of “diabolic” chaos. People fled in all directions, desperately seeking refuge from the low-flying planes. The aerial attack persisted into the evening, concluding around 7:45 PM and leaving Guernica in ruins.
Casualty estimates vary, but reports from nearby hospitals indicate that around 1,645 people lost their lives, with hundreds more injured. It’s suspected that the actual death toll could be even greater.
This brutal assault was strategically designed as a show of force in support of General Francisco Franco’s Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War, orchestrated by Colonel Wolfram von Richthofen of the Condor Legion, a Nazi unit aligned with Franco.
In response to the tragedy, artist Pablo Picasso created the monumental work Guernica, which stands as a poignant symbol of anti-war sentiment. The attack’s brutality left an indelible mark on Spain’s collective memory, and it would take until 1939 for the town’s debris to be fully cleared, ensuring that the events would not be forgotten. | Written by Dominic Sandbrook
26 April 1986: Chernobyl reactor explodes
A catastrophic nuclear accident starts in Ukraine
The Chernobyl disaster of 26 April 1986 remains the most significant nuclear accident in history, casting a long shadow over Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, the most severely impacted by its fallout. Initially, the Soviet government attempted to conceal the incident, but the disaster severely undermined their carefully curated image of progressive socialism.
The crisis unfolded during a standard test at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, occurring shortly after one o’clock in the morning. Moments after the test began, reactor four experienced an unforeseen power surge.
The ensuing chaos unleashed a devastating steam explosion, ripping apart fuel channels and severing coolant lines. This was followed swiftly by a second explosion, releasing more radioactive materials into the atmosphere than had been generated by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Tragically, many workers in the facility received lethal doses of radiation in mere moments, unaware of the impending danger. Most succumbed to their conditions within three weeks.
Local fire crews were dispatched almost immediately. One firefighter, Grigorii Khmel, recalled their arrival shortly after the alarm rang. “We saw graphite scattered about,” he mentioned. Many firefighters were unaware of the radiation hazards, and resources were scarce. “We went up the ladder… and I never saw them again,” Khmel lamented, referring to the brave men who perished during the initial response.
This disaster, coupled with the Soviet government’s response, has been a focal point in discussions on nuclear safety and transparency. | Written by Dominic Sandbrook
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