24 August

On 24 August 79, which both Jack Harkness and the Tenth Doctor referred to as Volcano Day, the Tenth Doctor caused Mount Vesuvius to erupt to kill the Pyrovile. The whole population of Pompeii, excluding one family. (TV: The Fires of Pompeii, The Doctor Dances) The Seventh Doctor and Melanie Bush were in the city at the time of the eruption but managed to escape unharmed. (AUDIO: The Fires of Vulcan)

On the same day in 1572, another tragedy occurred. The First Doctor and Steven visited Paris just in time to witness the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. (TV: The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve, PROSE: The Massacre)