1851day.year
The largest Australian bushfires in a populous region in recorded history take place in the state of Victoria.
In 1851, the Black Thursday bushfires ravaged Victoria, Australia, becoming the country’s most devastating recorded fires in a settled region.
On February 6, 1851, extreme drought and high temperatures ignited widespread bushfires across Victoria, Australia.
Known as Black Thursday, the infernos burned nearly five million hectares of land in a single day.
Sustained gale-force winds fanned the flames, destroying homesteads and claiming at least 12 lives.
The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of settlers to Australia’s harsh climate and catalyzed improvements in land management.
It remains one of the largest bushfire events in a populated area of the world.
1851
Australian bushfires
take place
Victoria
1951day.year
The Broker, a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train derails near Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. The accident kills 85 people and injures over 500 more. The wreck is one of the worst rail disasters in American history.
A Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train derailed near Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, in one of America’s deadliest rail disasters.
On February 6, 1951, The Broker, a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger train, derailed near Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.
The accident occurred at high speed on a curve, causing multiple cars to overturn and collide.
Eighty-five passengers and crew lost their lives, and over 500 were injured in the wreck.
Extensive rescue operations involved local emergency services and volunteers working through the night.
This tragedy remains one of the worst rail disasters in U.S. history and led to renewed safety regulations.
Pennsylvania Railroad
derails
Woodbridge Township, New Jersey
1958day.year
Eight Manchester United F.C. players and 15 other passengers are killed in the Munich air disaster.
A plane crash near Munich claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players, becoming one of football’s most tragic incidents.
On February 6, 1958, British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from Munich-Riem Airport.
The flight was carrying the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the ‘Busby Babes,’ along with supporters and journalists.
Twenty-three of the 44 people on board were killed, including eight players and three club staff.
The disaster sent shockwaves through the football world and led to an outpouring of grief across England.
Manchester United rebuilt under manager Matt Busby, and the club’s resilience became a part of its enduring legacy.
1958
Manchester United F.C.
Munich air disaster
1973day.year
The Ms 7.6 Luhuo earthquake strikes Sichuan Province, causing widespread destruction and killing at least 2,199 people.
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake devastated Sichuan, China, killing thousands and causing widespread destruction.
In the early hours of February 6, 1973, a powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near Luhuo in Sichuan Province, China.
The tremor triggered landslides and collapsed buildings across remote mountainous areas.
At least 2,199 people lost their lives, and many more were injured or left homeless.
Relief efforts faced challenges due to rugged terrain and limited infrastructure.
The disaster prompted improvements in seismic monitoring and building codes in China.
1973
Luhuo earthquake
1978day.year
The Blizzard of 1978, one of the worst Nor'easters in New England history, hit the region, with sustained winds of 65 mph and snowfall of four inches an hour.
A historic Nor’easter dumps record snowfall and high winds across New England.
The Blizzard of 1978 struck New England with relentless fury, producing sustained winds of up to 65 mph and snowfall rates of four inches per hour. Cities from Connecticut to Maine were paralyzed as roads disappeared under drifts and power lines collapsed under the weight of ice. Emergency crews struggled to reach stranded residents, and many communities faced days without heat or electricity. The storm prompted new standards in weather forecasting, emergency response planning, and snow removal procedures. Today, it remains a benchmark for severe winter storms in the northeastern United States.
1978
Blizzard of 1978
Nor'easters
New England
1996day.year
Willamette Valley Flood: Floods in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, United States, causes over US$500 million in property damage throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Historic floods in Oregon’s Willamette Valley cause over $500 million in damage.
The Willamette Valley Flood of February 1996 inundated communities across western Oregon after days of heavy rain and rapid snowmelt. Rivers breached their banks, submerging cities like Corvallis and Albany and stranding residents. Infrastructure damage exceeded $500 million, affecting roads, bridges, and homes throughout the Pacific Northwest. Emergency teams conducted flood rescues by boat and helicopter as waters rose to record levels. The disaster led to upgraded floodplain management and river monitoring systems to better protect the region from future high-water events.
1996
Willamette Valley Flood
Willamette Valley
Oregon
Pacific Northwest
1996day.year
Birgenair Flight 301 crashed off the coast of the Dominican Republic, killing all 189 people on board. This is the deadliest aviation accident involving a Boeing 757.
Birgenair Flight 301 crashes off the Dominican Republic coast, killing all 189 aboard.
On February 6, 1996, Birgenair Flight 301 plunged into the Atlantic shortly after takeoff from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. All 189 passengers and crew were lost, making it the deadliest accident involving a Boeing 757. Investigators determined that a blocked pitot tube had given false airspeed readings, leading to pilot confusion and loss of control. The tragedy prompted stricter maintenance checks and improvements in cockpit instrumentation design. Birgenair 301 remains a sobering reminder of the importance of accurate flight data and robust safety protocols.
Birgenair Flight 301
Dominican Republic
Boeing 757
2012day.year
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hits the central Philippine island of Negros, leaving 112 people dead.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Negros Island in the central Philippines on February 6, 2012, killing 112 people and causing widespread damage.
On February 6, 2012, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck central Negros in the Philippines. The quake triggered landslides and widespread structural damage across the affected area. At least 112 people lost their lives, and many more were injured or displaced. Emergency responders and local communities worked around the clock to rescue survivors and provide relief. The disaster highlighted the region’s seismic vulnerability and prompted calls for improved building standards and disaster preparedness.
2012
magnitude 6.7 earthquake
Negros
2016day.year
An earthquake of magnitude 6.6 strikes southern Taiwan, killing 117 people.
A powerful magnitude 6.6 earthquake jolted southern Taiwan on February 6, 2016, claiming 117 lives and damaging numerous buildings.
On February 6, 2016, a 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan near the city of Kaohsiung. The seismic event caused multiple high-rise buildings to collapse and triggered landslides in rural areas. At least 117 people were killed and hundreds more were injured in the disaster. Rescue teams and volunteers worked tirelessly to search for survivors amid the rubble. The quake underscored Taiwan’s seismic risks and led to renewed discussions on building safety and disaster response measures.
2016
earthquake of magnitude 6.6
2023day.year
Two earthquakes measuring Mww 7.8 and 7.5 struck near the border between Turkey and Syria with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XII (Extreme). The earthquakes resulted in numerous aftershocks and a death toll of 57,658 people.
On February 6, 2023, two massive earthquakes of magnitudes 7.8 and 7.5 struck the Turkey–Syria border region, resulting in an estimated 57,658 deaths and widespread devastation.
A catastrophic double earthquake struck near the Turkey–Syria border on February 6, 2023, with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 on the Mww scale and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XII. The twin shocks triggered numerous powerful aftershocks that compounded the destruction of homes, historic sites, and critical infrastructure across both countries. In Syria and Turkey, entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, leaving millions homeless in frigid winter conditions. Emergency services, international organizations, and volunteers launched massive rescue and relief operations amid challenging logistics and damaged roads. The estimated death toll surpassed 57,000, making it one of the deadliest seismic events in the region’s history. Global aid efforts poured in to support survivors and begin the lengthy process of recovery and reconstruction.
2023
Two earthquakes
Mww
Turkey
Syria
Mercalli intensity