Ten April Days of Tragedy (April 11 to 20)-- Part 2: School Shootings and Industrial Accidents

**  APRIL 15, 2019:  Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris.

**  APRIL 16, 2007:  Mass shooting at Virginia Tech  (32 killed)

**  APRIL 17, 2013:  West, Texas fertilizer plant explosion  (15 killed)

**  APRIL 18, 1906:  San Francisco earthquake.  (Est. 3,000 to 6,000 killed)

**  APRIL 19, 1993:  Branch Dravidian Siege, Waco, Texas  (About 80 killed)

**  APRIL 19, 1995:  Oklahoma City Bombing  (168 killed)

**  APRIL 20, 1999:  Columbine High School in Colorado murders.  (13 students and one teacher killed)

**  APRIL 20, 2010:  Deepwater Horizon explosion in Gulf of Mexico (11 workers killed)

--DaCoot

Paris' Notre Dame Spruced Up for Its 850th

From the Dec. 13, 2012, Chicago Tribune, by Alexandria Sage- Reuters.

"Quasimodo would be overjoyed.  Notre Dame Cathedral has had its lighting improved, a new platform to admire its Gothic facade erected, its organ renovated and is about to have new bells made for a nearly yearlong 850th anniversary celebration that kicks off this week."

Built in the 12th century, it has survived the Hundred Years War, the French Revolution and two world wars.  It is in an island in the Seine River.

"With its graceful flying buttresses, imposing facade and famous bells -- immortalized in Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by the bellringer Quasimodo..."  The first stone was laid in 1163 in the presence of Pope Alexander III.

Some important things that have happened at Notre Dame:  where France's King Henry IV converted to Catholicism, Napoleon crowned himself emperor and Joan of Arc was beatified.

I had the opportunity to see the cathedral in 2000 during a boat trip on the Seine.  believe me, it's impressive.

Cooter