Final answer:
The event on December 28, 1908, was a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that hit the Strait of Messina, leading to one of the deadliest natural disasters ever recorded.
Step-by-step explanation:
On December 28, 1908, a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the Strait of Messina in southern Italy, destroying the cities of Messina in Sicily and Reggio Calabria on the mainland. This natural disaster is considered one of the most deadly earthquakes in history, resulting in an estimated 75,000 to 200,000 deaths. The earthquake had a moment magnitude of 7.1 and caused widespread destruction and significant loss of life, profoundly affecting the region's landscape and history.