Nelson Dies at Trafalgar: Britain Rules the Seas
Horatio Nelson was shot by a French sniper at 1:15 p.m. on October 21, 1805, while standing on the quarterdeck of HMS Victory in full dress uniform — visible to any sharpshooter on the enemy ships. His officers had asked him to remove his medals. He refused. The Battle of Trafalgar destroyed the combined French and Spanish fleet without the British losing a single ship. Nelson died three hours after being shot, knowing the battle was won. His last words were 'God and my country.' Or 'Kiss me, Hardy.' Accounts differ.
October 21, 1805
221 years ago
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