If you could go back in time and witness a historical event, witch one would you like to see? And why?

Question

You will only be an observer, you will not be able to change anything or participate in any way.

Answer 1

When ever this question comes up I immediately think of some battle. The problem is battles are spread out, so you don't see much from any point, and they are extremely messy with limbs being hacked off, men screaming in pain and dying prolonged agonizing deaths. Battles are interesting from an historical distance of many, many years, not on the day they are fought. Thats just terror and pain and death.
I would like to spend an ordinary day at the library at Alexandria. I'd love to see whatever ceremony was held in Athens for the completion of the Parthenon. And while I could do without gladitorial games, I'd happily take in a day at the Chariot Races at the Hippodrome in Constantinople.

Answer 2

In no particular order:

1. One day's worth of Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel.
2. The selection of a pope (I don't care which one - I just think it would be cool to observe the process, since it's always done "behind closed doors")
3. Signing of the Declaration of Independence
4. Gettysburg Address
5. The Spanish Armada (how cool would it be to witness so many ships in battle?)
6. Lee surrendering to Grant at Appomattox Court House
7. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
8. Babe Ruth calling his shot (I would be curious to see if that's what he actually did)
9. The construction of the pyramids (at least a day's worth of observation)

Answer 3

I would like to see the Titanic about April 13, 1912. I would love to see the Grand Staircase and all the other splendors of the Guilded Age before she went down. I would also like to put a water proof homing device in the log book.

I would also like to go to the making of the Bill of Rights and suggest a few more in there.

Answer 4

The Battle of the Little Bighorn. I wonder what led Custer to have the arrogance to send a handful of men into battle against a vastly greater force even if he thought reinforcements were coming to his aid. I would also like to know what Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull thought seeing this.

Answer 5

I see lots of almost modern events. All interesting. By myself i would choose among :
1) Battle of Termopilis
2) Battle of Salamina (seen by the Persian king point of View)
3) Battle of Canne (not being a Roman !)
4) Battle of Alesia (Cesar winning 1 against 5)
5) Battle of Filippi (borne of Roman Empire).
6) Battle of Poitier
7) Battle of Legnano (freedom against emperor)
8) Battle of Hattin (end of Christian Jerusalem)
9) Battle of Pavia (beginning of Spanish power in Europe)
10) Battle of Austerlitz (Napoleon ...)
Ok all battles, but so would be possible to see decisive points in few days ;)

Answer 6

I would like to go back to Paelolithic times and observe the precise moment (or even the PROCESS) whereby people started to use tools in a meaningful way. The discovery of fire as a tool, for instance. this led to the development of the human species. Civilisation, language, you name it.

Answer 7

I would probably go and see parts of the Civil War, The Battle of Britain, and the Revolutionary War. Boston Tea Party and such as well.

Answer 8

The Battle of Thermopylae. I'm well aware of the recent movie and I know this sounds a bit too pop culture'ish, but that battle and the decisions of Leonidas have fascinated me for many years.

Answer 9

1:30 pm, Friday, July 3, 1863 near a small country crossroads in s. Pennsylvania.....to witness the courage, valor and...doomed cause....

Answer 10

I'd like to sit in on the debate and process of framing the Declaration of Independence. Imagine if things had turned out differently, all in the room would have been hung...and they knew it and still went forward. Sounds exciting to me.