The social history of viruses describes the influence of viruses and viral infections on human history. Epidemics caused by viruses began during the Neolithic period. Having been hunter-gatherers, humans developed more densely populated agricultural communities, which allowed viruses to spread rapidly and subsequently to become endemic. Smallpox and measles viruses are among the oldest that infect humans. Having evolved from viruses that infected animals, they first appeared in humans in Europe and North Africa thousands of years ago. Louis Pasteur and Edward Jenner were the first to develop vaccines to protect against viral infections. The nature of viruses remained unknown until the invention of the electron microscope in the 1930s, when the science of virology gained momentum. In the 20th century many diseases both old and new were found to be caused by viruses. HIV is the most pathogenic new virus to have emerged in centuries. Although scientific interest in viruses arose because of the diseases they cause, most viruses are beneficial. They drive evolution by transferring genes across species, play important roles in ecosystems and are essential to life.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

684:

Second Fitna: Umayyad partisans defeated the supporters of Ibn al-Zubayr and cemented Umayyad control of Syria. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Marj_Rahit_(684)

1487:

Reconquista: After a four-month siege, the Catholic Monarchs conquered the city of Málaga from the Muslims. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_M%C3%A1laga_(1487)

1877:

Asaph Hall discovered Phobos (pictured), the larger of Mars' two moons, six days after discovering Deimos, the other one. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phobos_(moon)

1948:

Australia completed a 4–0 Ashes series win, earning them the nickname of "The Invincibles" for being the first Test cricket match side to play an entire tour of England without losing a match. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Test,_1948_Ashes_series

1983:

Hurricane Alicia made landfall near Galveston, Texas, US, causing $2.6 billion in damages and 21 deaths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Alicia

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

social contract: (philosophy, politics) An implicit agreement or contract among members of a society that dictates things such as submission of individuals to rule of law and acceptable conduct. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/social_contract

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

In Balder's hand Christ placed His own, And it was golden weather, And on that berg as on a throne The Brethren stood together! And countless voices far and wide Sang sweet beneath the sky — "All that is beautiful shall abide, All that is base shall die."   --Robert Williams Buchanan https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Robert_Williams_Buchanan