November 1, 1755

Lisbon, Portugal

An earthquake and seismic sea wave destroys the city

Among the chaos of tens of thousands of people dying by drowning, being crushed, or burning to death, groups began looting the city as well. A good portion of the looters had escaped from jail when the earthquake destroyed the walls containing them. The looters admitted to arson, lighting more fires to create even more chaos than what Nature had done. Those found guilty of looting, regardless of whether they had also committed arson, were hanged.