August 24 is commemorated as Vesuvius Day, honouring the most famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., which destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The historical date and its revision
· The traditional
date (August 24, 79 A.D.): For
centuries, this date was widely accepted based on a copy of a letter by Pliny
the Younger, an eyewitness to the event. Pliny wrote his account 20 years after
the disaster, and the date may have been corrupted over 1,400 years of
hand-copying.
· The revised date (October 24, 79 A.D.): In 2018, an inscription found on a wall in Pompeii dated to October 17th of 79 A.D. supported a theory that had been building since the 18th century. Other archaeological evidence, such as findings of autumnal fruits and victims wearing heavy clothing, also points to an autumn eruption.
Commemorating "Vesuvius Day"
Today, August 24 is still observed as "Vesuvius Day" by some as a tribute to the victims, though it's now widely acknowledged that the disaster occurred later in the year. Ways to observe the day include:
· Learning about volcanoes and the history of the eruption.
· Watching documentaries about Pompeii and Herculaneum.
· Creating a model volcano with children.
Visiting Mount Vesuvius today
For those
interested in exploring the site, tours and day trips are available from nearby
cities like Naples and Rome. Visitors can hike to the crater of the volcano and
explore the remarkably preserved ruins of Pompeii.
