German bombing of Guernica

The German bombing of Guernica occurred on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War. The small Basque town was targeted by Nazi German aircraft, supporting Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces against the Republican government. This aerial attack aimed to terrorize and demoralize civilians, leading to widespread destruction and significant civilian casualties—estimates suggest around 1,600 people were killed or injured. The event gained international attention and became a symbol of the horrors of war, later inspiring Pablo Picasso's famous painting, "Guernica," which powerfully reflects the tragedy and suffering inflicted on innocent lives.