Betcha y’all didn’t know 57

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February 26, 1616, The Roman Catholic Church gives astronomer Galileo Galilei his first warning about promoting the belief that the Earth orbits the Sun—an idea for which he was later convicted of heresy. It took another 300 years for the church to admit he was right.

[SylvanLakeWH 30,581]

While he most likely didn't actually say it... "and yet it moves..."

[wh500special 2,382]

3 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

While he most likely didn't actually say it... "and yet it moves..."

 

Eppur si muove
 

(I had to beat @Handy Don to this)

 

One of my favorite lines. 

[Handy Don 15,923]

Yep, one of the best adages ever, even if not an actual quote!

 

For an eye opener on how steadfast the Church held to its belief, visit San Lorenzo de el Escorial (a summer home outside of Madrid for King Phillip II as well as a monastery for educating priests and monks). In its huge library (not on the regular tour, but usually open to visitors on request) is an amazing and extensive collection of mechanical earth-centric models of the planets and sun and moon, some still operable. These went to astonishing (by today’s standards) lengths to replicate observed motions while holding the earth at a fixed point in the universe as required by church teachings. 

 

Also useful to know is that the Pope was, in that time, both a secular and religious absolute monarch. Excommunication signaled you had committed the most egregious and unforgivable crime(s) with both you and your family suffering as penurious outcasts from then onwards.