17 Tishrei

1867- Blood libel charges triggered anti-Jewish riots in Romania.  Blood libels became a common feature in Europe during the Middle Ages: if a Christian baby was found dead, Jews would be charged with having kidnapped the baby and draining its blood. Accusers claimed that blood was the chief ingredient in matzah, and thus prior to every Passover Jews required a large supply. Ironically, Jewish law prohibits the consuming of blood (kosher meat is carefully washed and salted to remove all traces of blood). Yet this didn't stop the blood libel accusation, which over the centuries resulted in the death and torture of thousands of Jews.