The Fatimid conquest of Egypt took place in 969, as the troops of the Fatimid Caliphate under the general Jawhar captured Egypt, then ruled by the autonomous Ikhshidid dynasty in the name of the Abbasid Caliphate. The Fatimids had launched repeated unsuccessful invasions of Egypt soon after coming to power in Ifriqiya in 909. By the 960s, the collapse of the Ikhshidid regime, and an economic crisis and factional infighting in Egypt, allowed Fatimid caliph al-Mu'izz (coin pictured) to organize a large expedition to conquer the country, aided by the activity of a network of Fatimid agents there. When the Fatimid invasion came, the Ikhshidid elites negotiated a peaceful surrender, and the brief resistance of the Ikhshidid soldiery was overcome. Jawhar took control of Fustat, the Egyptian capital, on 6 July. Jawhar served as viceroy of Egypt until 973, when al-Mu'izz arrived and took up residence in a new capital, Cairo, which became the seat of the Fatimid Caliphate.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatimid_conquest_of_Egypt
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1897:
The Bersey Electric Cab entered service as the first electric taxi in London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bersey_Electric_Cab
1950:
The 766th Independent Infantry Regiment of North Korea was disbanded after fighting for less than two months in the Korean War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/766th_Independent_Infantry_Regiment_%28North_Korea%29
2003:
A Hamas suicide bomber killed 23 people and wounded more than 130 others, including many Orthodox Jewish children, on a crowded public bus in Shmuel HaNavi, Jerusalem. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmuel_HaNavi_bus_bombing
2005:
Thunderstorms in southern Ontario, Canada, spawned at least three tornadoes that caused over C$500 million in damage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Ontario_tornado_outbreak_of_2005
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
godsend: 1. An instance of unexpected benefit or good fortune; a windfall. 2. (specifically, Britain, regional, archaic) The wreck of a ship which has washed up on shore, from which cargo, timber, etc., may be obtained. 3. A person who provides greatly needed assistance. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/godsend
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts. --Bernard Baruch https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bernard_Baruch