3 REASONS 536 WAS THE WORST YEAR IN HUMAN HISTORY
When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, it poured so much dust into the sky that the sun over Eastern Washington went dark. Ash drifted overhead, traveling into neighboring Idaho and forcing temperatures down by as much as 15 degrees F.
a decade. In fact, they got worse in some areas! In 541, the Plague of Justinian — the first bubonic plague pandemic — appeared in Egypt and spread through Europe, killing roughly one-third of the continent's population. For decades, archaeologists and historians have puzzled over the tipping point in 536. “What went wrong,” they wondered, “to make the sun go dark and trigger snow in summer?” It was a head-scratcher until 2018. That year, researchers finally solved the mystery with help from, of all things, a Swiss glacier! The glacial ice was riddled with volcanic glass. Further study revealed enormous volcanic eruptions in 536, 540, and 547 likely caused “The Dark Ages.” It wasn’t just metaphorically dark — it was literally dark thanks to ash blotting out the sun and coating people’s homes, skin, and clothing.
Locals spent a few weeks scared and shivering under dull skies. They had no way of knowing it, but they were experiencing
a tiny fraction of the horror humans felt back in 536 — a time that Harvard University historian Michael McCormick once called “the worst year to be alive.” For decades, the year 536 was a historical mystery. Records showed that it was a terrible time, stricken by the triple threat of:
Scientists have traced the 540 eruption to Ilopango, a volcano in El Salvador that’s currently inactive, but they’re still hunting for the source of the 536 eruption. As we write this, volcanoes in Iceland and Alaska are the most likely candidates. We’ve already survived a pandemic this century, so for everyone’s sake, let’s hope both regions stay quiet until at least 2100. We all deserve a break!
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Unexplained, unending darkness Unseasonably frigid weather
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Crop failures and famines
Those horrors and the economic and political instability they brought ravaged the globe from Ireland to China. Although 536 was arguably the worst year, things didn’t get better for more than
LET’S GET SPOOKY, LOUISVILLE! 3 FUN, LOCAL WAYS TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN
The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Tuesday, Oct. 3 — Tuesday, Oct. 31; hours vary The Iroquois Amphitheater The annual Jack O'Lantern Spectacular opens in Iroquois Park on Oct. 3, and we can hardly wait! It’s one of our favorite events of the year, combining the spookiness of Halloween with the cozy glow of Christmas lights. If you visit, your family can wander the pumpkin trail and experience more than 5,000 glowing jack-o'-lanterns carved by skilled artists. Some pumpkins showcase simple faces, while others are true works of art with lifelike portraits, nature scenes, and more! The display is jaw- dropping. Tickets sell out quickly, so grab yours at JackOLanternLouisville.org now to snag your preferred night. Kids 2 and under can attend for free, while tickets for older kids and adults range from $15–$20.
Halloween Music Bingo (21+ only) Thursday, Oct. 26; 8 p.m. Tin Roof Louisville Do you love Halloween music? If so, head to Tin Roof for a chance to win $100 while listening to it all night long! As Tin Roof explains, “Each player will receive a bingo card with song titles on it. The host will play 30–45 seconds of each song and announce the name of the song. It is your job to see if you have the song on your card.” Play both rounds for the best odds of winning a $50 or $100 prize.
Church Trunk or Treats Dates, times, and locations vary
Every October, churches all over Louisville hold free “trunk or treat” events to give parents a safe alternative to trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods. Parishioners turn the trunks of their cars into portable porch steps, decorating them for Halloween and handing out candy to kids who walk car to car! Some trunk or treats also offer other activities like face painting, costume contests, food trucks, and live music. If you’ve never been to a trunk or treat, start asking around at nearby churches and checking church websites and Facebook pages for upcoming events. Gethsemane Baptist Church already has its Harvest Fest Trunk or Treat planned for Oct. 21, and more announcements are going up daily!
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