Good morning and Salam Maulidur Rasul 1442 AH to my Muslim oomfs. Today is the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, born in the Year of The Elephant, (otherwise known as the year 570 CE in the West).
Here is a quick thread of what was going on in the world during this time
Here is a quick thread of what was going on in the world during this time


1. The earliest known matchstick was invented
According to the book "Records of The Otherworldly and Strange" written during the Tang Dynasty, a royal maid in the year 577 first thought of the idea of a stick dipped in sulphur that can start fire and be carried everywhere.
According to the book "Records of The Otherworldly and Strange" written during the Tang Dynasty, a royal maid in the year 577 first thought of the idea of a stick dipped in sulphur that can start fire and be carried everywhere.
2. All of Sudan converts to Christianity
Before Islam became the dominant religion of modern-day Sudan, the lands of Upper Egypt and Nubia were home to the kingdoms of Alodia, Makuria and Dongola. All 3 kingdoms converted en masse to Christianity in the year 569.
Before Islam became the dominant religion of modern-day Sudan, the lands of Upper Egypt and Nubia were home to the kingdoms of Alodia, Makuria and Dongola. All 3 kingdoms converted en masse to Christianity in the year 569.
3. Ctesiphon (briefly) becomes the largest city in the world
The Sassanid Empire was the largest rival to Byzantine during the 6th century. Its capital city, Ctesiphon, is said to have grown so big it merged with two other cities and had more people than Byzantium.
The Sassanid Empire was the largest rival to Byzantine during the 6th century. Its capital city, Ctesiphon, is said to have grown so big it merged with two other cities and had more people than Byzantium.
4. Mayans and Sundanese living their best lives unbothered
The late 6th century was a period of extensive pyramid and temple building for both the Classical Mayan city states and the Sundanese kingdom of Tarumanagara. Both societies flourished, only to fall centuries later.
The late 6th century was a period of extensive pyramid and temple building for both the Classical Mayan city states and the Sundanese kingdom of Tarumanagara. Both societies flourished, only to fall centuries later.
5. Italy was full of Germans
Believe it or not, Italy was once full of Germanic-speaking people. Nearly two centuries after the fall of Rome, the Lombards of North Europe established their first kingdom in Italy - the Duchy of Spoleto - shortly after defeating the Byzantines.
Believe it or not, Italy was once full of Germanic-speaking people. Nearly two centuries after the fall of Rome, the Lombards of North Europe established their first kingdom in Italy - the Duchy of Spoleto - shortly after defeating the Byzantines.
6. Japan stops eating virtually all meat
The Soga clan - the most powerful family of Japan during the 6th century - adopted Buddhism as their main religion. Their belief was so strong that the clan leader Soga No Umako made it illegal to eat any meat apart from deer or seafood.
The Soga clan - the most powerful family of Japan during the 6th century - adopted Buddhism as their main religion. Their belief was so strong that the clan leader Soga No Umako made it illegal to eat any meat apart from deer or seafood.