The Darkest Year in History
2022 may have been a challenging year for many, but when it comes to the worst year in human history, there are several to choose from.
Each year presents unique struggles and hardships, from the Black Death in 1349 to the Spanish Flu in 1918. However, historians and researchers have come to a unanimous decision — the year 536 AD was worse than any other.
Medieval historian Michael McCormick states that 536 AD was “the beginning of one of the worst periods to be alive, if not the worst year.” The year started with an inexplicable and dense fog that covered the world, plunging Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia into darkness for nearly 2 years. This decreased global temperatures, resulting in the coldest decade in over 2,000 years and widespread famine. The misery continued with an outbreak of bubonic plague in 541 AD, leading to the death of nearly 100 million people and almost half of the Byzantine Empire.
The source of this darkness was recently uncovered by researchers led by McCormick and glaciologist Paul Mayewski. They discovered that a volcanic eruption in Iceland in early 536 was responsible for spreading ash across the globe, creating the fog that cast the world into darkness. The eruption was so significant that it altered the global climate and impacted weather patterns and crop cultivation for years.
Comparing each new year to the worst in history has become a trend, but looking back at the year 536 AD serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are today. The world was truly in darkness during that time, and it serves as a sobering reminder of the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit.
