From what I can tell, this really happened on this date, but it is extremely hard to verify.  On this date in 1819, a lightning bolt struck the spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.  That was around noon, and eight hours later, the iron cross fell to the ground. For more info: http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/diarynov.htm http://www.examiner.com/article/weather-history-november-17-record-temps-storms-snow-tropics-flooding-1