July 31 904: Thessaloniki, which is also known as Salonica, is sacked and looted by Saracens (an Arab group). The Jewish population of Thessaloniki dates back at least to the first century of the Common Era. By the time Benjamin of Tudela ... »
August 9 48 B.C.E.: Julius Caesar defeated Pompey at the battle of Parsalus. This victory helped to cement Caesar’s position and put an end to Pompey. Considering Pompey’s behavior towards the Jews, including his desecration of the Temple, Caesar’s vi... »
July 29 1099: Pope Urban II, the man behind the First Crusade, passed away. Considering the impact of the Crusades on the Jews of Europe, his impact on Jewish history is self-obvious. 1108: Philip I, King of France one of whose subjects R... »
July 27 1192: As Richard the Lionheart and Saladin continued their conflict during the Third Crusade, Saladin laid siege to Jaffa. 1214: French King Phillip II defeats the forces headed by Otto IV, the Holy Roman Emperor and King John of England at t... »