If you could witness any historical event firsthand, which one would you choose and why?

The crucifixion and "rebirth" of Jesus. I'm not religious, but I'd be curious what actually happened.

It's probably one of the most influential events in modern human history and while the truth of it is probably very boring, I'd still like to know.

The Zanclean Flood. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zanclean_flood

Sure as fuck not the fuck-ton of them that have gone on in the last 8 years.

The astroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Would be cool to see a world ending event as the sky lights on fire, oceans evaporate, and a super tsunami.

I have a few since I'm a historian:

The revolutions of 1848 Europe, particularly Berlin or Paris. The atmosphere in that year was confusing, conflicting, and explosive. People wanted generally better lives, and put their own on the line to see it happen in numbers that shock us today.

The fall of the T'ang dynasty and the early Song dynasty. I'd love to see if the Naito Hypothesis holds up as a viewer of that time and space.

The Atlantic Revolutions between 1770s to 1800. So American, Haitian, French, etc. The birth of nationhood (in Europe), a new consciousness found its footing, and what it meant to have liberty, to be human, and to be unfree were changing.

And Japan in the 1930's. How fascism developed in the country. It's a question that's big in Japanese history, and not so clear today.

The first time man walked on the moon. I love astronomy, space travel, and studying the physics that makes it all happen. I’m too bad at math to ever be an astronaut, so seeing that first hand through wish magic would mean everything to me

the creation (birth?) of the first live cell. it's the beginning of life!!

Hiroshima.

Sorry, had to make the dark joke.

The serious answer is the first Apollo launch. Because space. That's when real space ventures became a reality rather than a dream.

Tbh though, if it was some kind of magical thing where it was possible, the moon landing would be a bigger deal for me. But there's no way without going into fantasy for that to happen, and it wouldn't be the same because part of the cool part of this idea is being there, in person, with the ability to experience the entirety of the event. Can't cram another person into the lander at all, and that's where I would want to be. But I'd be perfectly happy to be in the crowd watching a launch

Battle of Hastings, 1066

Last time that the island of Britain was successfully invaded. I think the culture of chivalry that the Normans brought was what changed English culture to become what it is today and away from their Anglo-Saxon routes. I would even go as far as to say that the Normans were proto-imperialists and the culture they helped develop in England, France, and the Mediterranean led to a big chunk of the old imperialism of the 1500-1700s (minus the Spanish/Portuguese/Dutch).

A roman triumph.

• The Gettysburg Address.

• Lincoln's assassination and the aftermath.

• The trial of the conspirators. I'm fascinated with (and saddened by) the trial and execution of Mary Surratt.

• Pretty much anything related to Lincoln and the Civil War.

Normandy beach, d day.

It's be fun to look around for a few seconds then get shot

Storming of the Winter Palace would be fun I think.

The detonation of either the Hiroshima or the Nagasaki nuclear bomb, including the aftermath and suffering, assuming the explosions and fallout couldn’t hurt me eyesight- or radiation-wise.

I think that’s also something every politician should witness before getting into office. Maybe the world would be more peaceful and diplomatic.