SMS Kaiser Karl der Grosse (His Majesty's Ship Charlemagne) was a pre- dreadnought battleship of the Kaiser Friedrich III class, launched on 18 October 1899 at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Hamburg for the Imperial German Navy. A shipyard strike and an accidental grounding delayed her completion until February 1902. The ship was armed with four 24-centimeter (9.4 in) guns in two twin gun turrets and had a top speed of 17.5 knots (32.4 km/h; 20.1 mph). She served with the active fleet until 1908, participating in the normal peacetime routine of training cruises and fleet maneuvers. At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the ship was placed back in active duty for half a year for coastal defense. Kaiser Karl der Grosse was briefly used as a training ship and ended her career holding prisoners of war in Wilhelmshaven.

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

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1565:

The first recorded naval battle between Europeans and the Japanese occurred when a flotilla of samurai attacked two Portuguese trade vessels in Nagasaki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fukuda_Bay

1748:

The War of the Austrian Succession ended with the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Aix-la-Chapelle_%281748%29

1929:

In the Persons Case, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council decided that women were eligible to sit in the Canadian Senate. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwards_v_Canada_%28AG%29

1968:

At the Summer Olympics in Mexico City, American Bob Beamon set a world record of 8.90 m in the long jump, a mark that stood for 23 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Beamon

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

demimonde: 1. (chiefly historical (19th-century France)) A class of women maintained by wealthy protectors; female courtesans or prostitutes as a group. 2. (by extension) A group having little respect or reputation. 3. (by extension) A member of such a class or group of persons. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/demimonde

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The attainment of a just society is the cherished hope of civilized men.   --Pierre Trudeau https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pierre_Trudeau