Posted: Wed, Jan 10, 2001, 11:16 PM ET (0416 GMT)
One would think that by the dawn of the 21st century, humanity would be enlightened enough to recognize that eclipses are just a matter of celestial mechanics, and not a sign from a superior being. Apparently not. Gangs burned scores of hotels and bars in the northern Nigerian town of Maiduguri Tuesday night after seeing a lunar eclipse which the Muslim youths took as a sign to fight "sinners", according to Reuters. Both government and military leaders condemned the riots, which were put down after several hours by paramilitary police.

Related Links:

•  Reuters article at SPACE.com