Important days in history of universe By Lawrence M. Krauss
(Mental Floss) -- 1. July 4, 1054 -- Day the sky Got brighter
July 4th was a significant day long before America started celebrating it. It also marks the first time on record that a new object appeared in the constellation Taurus -- an object so bright it could be seen in the daytime sky.
Not surprisingly, people around the world couldn't help but take notice. Chinese astronomers labeled it a "guest star" and noted that, at night, it shone almost four times brighter than Venus. They soon began speculating that its appearance heralded the Emperor at the time, Jen Tsung.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the Anasazi Indians of western North America may also have noticed the star. Archeologists believe images carved into Arizona rocks from that era depict the same mysterious phenomenon.
But one group of people left no record of having witnessed the "guest star" -- the Europeans. It's speculated they considered it heretical to suggest that anything in the night sky was not eternal.
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http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/01/01/important.days/index.html There are nine more interesting dates in the list. It's good reading.
Note that already, in 1054, religious fundamentalism was fucking with science. The Christians of the time, who lived by the sun and moon and stars, had to look up, see a glaringly-bright new star in the familiar constellations, and say "it's not there. Nope, don't see it at all."
Incredible.