The Second War of Scottish Independence broke out in 1332 when Edward
Balliol (seal pictured) led an English-backed invasion of Scotland.
Balliol was crowned king but within three months was forced out of
Scotland. He appealed to the English king, Edward III, who invaded
Scotland in 1333 and heavily defeated a large Scottish army at the
Battle of Halidon Hill. As allies of Scotland via the Auld Alliance, the
French covertly supported the loyalists of David II, the Scottish king.
Increasing friction caused the French king to start the Hundred Years'
War. Forced to focus on the French theatre, the English lost ground in
Scotland. In 1346, while Edward campaigned in France, David invaded
England believing most of its previous defenders were in France. He was
surprised by a sizable English force, which crushed the Scots at the
Battle of Neville's Cross and captured David. After a decade of
negotiation the Treaty of Berwick was signed in 1357, ending the war
with the English dropping their claim of suzerainty.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_War_of_Scottish_Independence>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1924:
Gee Jon became the first person in the United States to be
executed by lethal gas.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gee_Jon>
1948:
The closing ceremony of the first Olympics held after World
War II was held in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Winter_Olympics>
1968:
Local police in Orangeburg, South Carolina, fired into a crowd
of people who were protesting segregation, killing three and injuring
twenty-seven others.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orangeburg_Massacre>
1983:
The Irish-bred race horse Shergar was stolen by gunmen, who
demanded a £2 million ransom.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shergar>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
merit badge:
(originally and chiefly US, scouting) An embroidered cloth patch awarded
to a youth member of the Boy Scouts of America or other scouting
organization who successfully completes an activity within an area of
study (the badge bearing an image representing the activity), which is
either sewn on to the sleeve of the scout's uniform or a sash worn with
the uniform; hence, the award itself.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/merit_badge>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
To make your children capable of honesty is the beginning of
education.
--John Ruskin
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Ruskin>
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