1868: Birth of Paul Stroobant, Director of the Observatory from 1925 to 1936. Under his leadership, the Uccle Observatory underwent a major technological upgrade. He notably championed astrophotography and the acquisition of more powerful new telescopes to compete with major international centres.

1815: Eruption of Mount Tambora (modern-day Indonesia). With over 150 $km^3$ of ejected material, it caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816, leading to crop failures and the death of livestock, even in Europe. The shortage of horses stimulated the invention of the draisienne (the ancestor of the bicycle). The dark, rainy atmosphere of this 1816 "summer" is said to have inspired Mary Shelley to create the character of Frankenstein.

Image credits : Unknown author, ca. 1900