800 French convicts led by an American who spoke no French. What could possibly go wrong? A shipment of Portuguese wine, for one thing.
On Feb 22, 1797, the "last invasion of mainland Britain" commenced.
On November 13, 1833 the night became as bright as daylight, the heavens fell, and people feared that it was the end of times. The event was so dramatic that it sparked both a new religion and a new science.