Category Archives: 1810s

Rossini’s opera ‘The Barber of Seville’ premieres in Rome 200 years ago today (Feb 20 1816)


Video: 'The Barber of Seville'

(Tuesday, February 20, 1816) — The opera buffa The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini premiered today at the Teatro Argentina in Rome under its original title, “Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution.”

Although Rossini’s opera received a hostile reception from the audience the first night, it fared much better at its next performance.

War of 1812 formally ends 200 years ago this hour (Feb 17 1815)


Video: 'The War of 1812 - History - Documentary' (Feb. 17, 1815 at 1:46:47)

(Friday, February 17, 1815, 11:00 p.m. local time; during the War of 1812) — The War of 1812 formally ended tonight when U.S. President James Madison exchanged ratification documents for the Treaty of Ghent with a British representative. Continue reading War of 1812 formally ends 200 years ago this hour (Feb 17 1815)

Nine killed in London Beer Flood 200 years ago this hour (Oct 17 1814)


Video: 'Top 5 Most Bizarre Disasters' (Oct. 17, 1814, at 0:07)

(Monday, October 17, 1814, around 5:30 p.m. local time) — The London Beer Flood inundated the St. Giles district of the British capital as a vat at Meux’s Brewery on Tottenham Court Road ruptured, causing other vats to burst as well and sending more than 320,000 gallons of beer into the streets; up to nine people were reported killed.