Lisbon Earthquake and Tsunami 1755
On November 1, 1755, on All Saints' Day, Lisbon, Portugal, was devastated by a massive earthquake. Thousands died as churches crumbled during morning mass. Fires erupted across the city, and terrified residents fled to the harbor, only to find no water in the harbor. Many began looting wrecked ships, unaware that an incoming tsunami was about to finish the destruction and kill thousands more.
The disaster traumatized King Joseph I so deeply that he developed severe claustrophobia and refused to live inside any walled building. His court ruled from a network of tents instead. In total, 85% of Lisbon's buildings lay in ruins. When the city rebuilt, engineers introduced the world's first anti-seismic architecture, limiting building heights, reinforcing foundations with poles driven into the riverbed, and redesigning streets into wide boulevards.