Cyclone Raja was a severe tropical cyclone that spawned in the South Pacific in December 1986. It holds the 24-hour rainfall record of 674.9 mm (26.57 in) for the French Overseas Territory of Wallis and Futuna. After it was named on 23 December, it unexpectedly headed southeast toward Futuna. The system peaked at Category 3 on 28 December, with sustained winds of around 150 km/h (90 mph). It turned southwest the next day, toward Fiji and several smaller islands in the Lau group. The storm dissipated on 5 January over the north Tasman Sea. Raja caused two deaths as it impacted the island nations of Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, Tonga and Fiji. Gusty winds and rough seas caused extensive damage to crops, coastal installations and buildings in Tuvalu, and greater destruction in Futuna. Raja was responsible for the worst flood of the Labasa River in Fiji since 1929. The name Raja was later retired from the South Pacific naming lists.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Raja

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1594:

In the Philippines, Philip II of Spain recognized the right to govern of the Principalía, the local nobles and chieftains who had converted to Roman Catholicism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%C3%ADa

1963:

The University of Alabama was desegregated as Governor George Wallace stepped aside after defiantly blocking the entrance to an auditorium. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_in_the_Schoolhouse_Door

2008:

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologised to the First Nations for past governments' policies of forced assimilation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Indian_residential_school_system

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

esquamulose: (botany, mycology) Not covered in scales or scale-like objects; having a smooth skin or outer covering. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/esquamulose

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

He is a narrow-minded man, that affects a triumph in any glorious study; but to triumph in a lie, and a lie themselves have forged, is frontless. Folly often goes beyond her bounds; but Impudence knows none.   --Ben Jonson https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ben_Jonson