TODAY IN HISTORY
24 March 1603
Queen Elizabeth I passed away at the age of 69.
She had ruled England for 44 years and brought stability to the Empire after the tenuous rules of her siblings.
Her health unfortunately deteriorated after the deaths of several close friends.
Upon her death, she was placed in Westminster Abbey in a tomb shared with her half sister, Mary I.
24 March 1199
King Richard the Lionheart of England was wounded by a crossbow bolt at the Siege of Châlus Chabrol in France.
Despite thinking that it was a minor injury, the wound became infected and led to gangrene.
Richard succumbed to this wound and died on 6 April 1199. He was then succeeded by his brother, John.
24 March 1944
Over 75 Allied prisoners escaped from a POW camp in Sagan, Germany.
Despite the camp's high security, prisoners managed to dig three tunnels leading beyond the camp’s perimeter and named them Tom, Dick, and Harry.
Harry was the tunnel eventually used for the escape.
Of the escapees, 73 were recaptured and Hitler ordered 50 to be executed.
This escape attempt inspired the 1963 movie "The Great Escape," starring Steve McQueen.
