I have never heard of today’s feature, and it really is quite a tale. On this date in 1783, the poisonous gas cloud from a volcano in Iceland that had erupted earlier in the month (Laki) arrived in Le Havre, France. The summer was the hottest on record, and this sulfur dioxide cloud left plenty of suffering and death in its wake. The sun was described as blood-colored, and many redicted the end of the world.
For more info:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laki
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1268405/And-thought-THIS-eruption-nasty-When-Icelandic-volcano-erupted-1783-feared-end-world-.html
