 "History Today: When Irpinia earthquake, Italy’s strongest ever, killed more than 2,000")
One of the most devastating natural disasters in the history of Italy occurred on November 23, 1980, when the Irpinia earthquake struck the southern part of the country. Large parts of the Campania and Basilicata regions were devastated in the earthquake.
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.
On this day in 1946, the Haiphong Massacre took place in Vietnam. During this incident, French naval forces violently bombarded the Vietnamese port city of Haiphong. It is considered to be the spark that ignited the First Indochina War.
Here is all that took place on this day across the world.
Irpinia earthquake struck Italy
One of the deadliest natural disasters in modern Italian history was the Irpinia earthquake that struck on November 23, 1980. Large parts of Italy’s Campania and Basilicata regions were destroyed in the quake.
The 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit at 7:34 pm local time, when many families were at home preparing for the evening, which amplified the human toll. Its epicentre lay between the towns of Eboli, Potenza and Naples, an area known for historical seismic activity but poorly prepared for such a powerful event.
The shaking lasted nearly a full minute and was strong enough to flatten entire towns. Villages such as Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi, Lioni, and Laviano were almost completely destroyed. More than 2,700 people were killed, around 8,000 injured, and an estimated 3,00,000 left homeless. The region’s mountainous terrain and narrow roads made rescue efforts extremely difficult. Many survivors, trapped beneath rubble, had to wait for days before assistance could reach them.
The earthquake exposed serious weaknesses in Italy’s emergency response system, while slow government action triggered widespread public anger and international headlines. Italy eventually launched a massive reconstruction effort, with aid pouring in from the European Community, the United States, and numerous international charities.
https://youtube.com/shorts/XErWTgdOsnM?si=tlQHeA_BbUxmbwjv
Despite the tragedy, the Irpinia earthquake spurred significant reforms. Italy strengthened its building codes, created more robust civil protection mechanisms, and invested in seismic research and monitoring. The disaster also prompted long-term demographic changes, as many displaced families migrated to larger cities in search of work and stability.
The Haiphong Massacre took place
The Haiphong Massacre took place on this day in 1946, making this one of the most brutal early episodes in the First Indochina War. This marked a decisive break between French colonial authorities and the Viet Minh forces seeking independence for Vietnam.
The conflict had been intensifying throughout 1946, with rising tensions around control of customs revenues, port operations, and the governance of northern Vietnam. Haiphong became the flashpoint.
The immediate trigger occurred when a dispute erupted over the inspection of a Chinese vessel suspected of smuggling. A confrontation between French naval personnel and Vietnamese authorities escalated into armed skirmishes. Over the following days, negotiations failed, and mistrust deepened. On November 23, French forces issued an ultimatum demanding the Viet Minh’s withdrawal from key areas of the city. When it was ignored, the French Navy launched a devastating bombardment.
The attack involved heavy artillery, naval gunfire, and air strikes aimed at Vietnamese positions but ultimately engulfing civilian neighbourhoods as well. Large portions of Haiphong’s residential districts were destroyed. Casualty figures remain contested, with French reports estimating around 500 deaths, while Viet Minh sources claimed that as many as 6,000 civilians were killed in the assault. What is undisputed is the scale of destruction and the profound trauma inflicted on the population.
The massacre eliminated any remaining possibility of peaceful coexistence between France and the Viet Minh. Just weeks later on December 19, the Viet Minh launched a nationwide uprising, marking the official beginning of the First Indochina War.
This Day, That Year
The first episode of the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who aired in 1963.
The first issue of Life magazine was published in 1936.
In 1863, the Battle of Chattanooga during the American Civil War began.
With inputs from agencies
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