In the early afternoon of Friday, June 17, 1859, a searing wind struck Santa Barbara and continued for hours, forcing every resident to shelter indoors. Outside, smaller animals such as calves, rabbits, and dogs were killed, along with hundreds of birds.  According to press reports, almost all foliage in the town was completely destroyed, fruit roasted on the trees, and exposed metal was hot to the touch for hours afterwards.  The incident seemed to touch off  an oppressive two weeks of remarkably high temperatures across central Califonia. (By John Osborne)

Soaring temperatures were experiences all over western Europe during July 1859.  July heat in Britain overall was eight degrees above the mean daily average and in London in the middle of the month dozens of people were reported to have died from sunstroke.  On this particular day, Paris experienced what could have been its hottest day on record up to that time. (By John Osborne)

In China, the Royal Navy suffered its only significant defeat between 1815 and 1914 against the Chinese Imperial forts guarding the Peiho River.  Losses were 436 killed and 345 wounded with four gunboats sunk.  United States naval vessels assisted the British by towing boats of wounded and moving reinforcements, American commander Josiah Tatnall making the famous statement in his report that, "Blood is thicker than water."   (By John Osborne)

Admiral Charles Rigault de Genouilly had led a French force, with support from Philipines based Spanish troops, into Indo-China the previous year. He had captured the port city of Da Nang in September, 1858 and the southern city of Saigon in February, 1859. Fierce resistance from Vietnamese imperial forces had continued, however, and the Admiral requested a relief from command for health reasons.  Admiral François Page replaced him. (By John Osborne)