- Ancient Alexandria was home to one of the greatest libraries of the times.
- The library housed an immense collection of scrolls and manuscripts of various cultures and fields.
- Julius Caesar's invasion and subsequent war of 48 CE is known for accidentally causing a great fire that partially burned the library.
2. Nazi Books Burning (1933):
- The Nazi regime in Germany launched campaigns against literature deemed "un-German" and "injuriousto German feelings."
- On May 10, 1933, public burning of books by Jewish, foreign, and critical writers took place in various German cities.
- Authors like Kafka, Mann, and Einstein were among those targeted.
3. Burning of Qur'ans (2011, 2012, 2021):
- In 2011 and 2012, Pastor Terry Jones from Florida gained international attention by burning Qur'ans in acts that sparked protests and violence in Muslim-majority countries.
- In 2021, a politician from the far-right party in Denmark burned Qur'ans in a series of public events that prompted diplomatic tensions with Muslim countries and criticism from international leaders.
4. Books Burning during Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976):
- During the Cultural Revolution in China, literature seen as counter-revolutionary was targeted for destruction.
- Millions of books were burned as part of the campaign against "the Four Olds": old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits.
5. Burning of Books in South Africa (1977-1990):
- The apartheid government in South Africa conducted campaigns against literature deemed "subversive" and harmful to the state.
- The banning and burning of books and publications were implemented to suppress opposition voices and maintain control.