Earthquake destroys Lisboa

The Earthquake that destroyed Lisboa was a catastrophe of huge proportions that resounded all across Europe and even into the new world. 1 November 1755, a beautiful day, when next to everyone was in the churches celebrating a holiday the ground suddenly started to shake and the churches started caving in, crushing the visitors. For those that escaped it was far from over as a heavy breeze of wind suddenly started to come in over the area beating the small fires into a virtual inferno incinerating thousands. But yet thousands of people would fall victim for the grand tidal wave reaching land just a few minutes later. The death count was estimated to 20.000-40.000 people at the time and given all four elements (wind, fire, earth & water) the explanation 'punishment by god' was a view widely spread both in Portugal and elsewhere.