September 16, 1498 - First Inquisitor General Dies

One of the darkest stains on Christian history was the Spanish Inquisition that took place under the reign of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Used as a way to force people to renounce their religious faith and accept Christ instead, the Inquisition saw over 2000 people burned at the stake (and even more tortured) when they would not recant. The first Inquisitor General, Tomas de Torquemada, died on September 16, 1498.