On February 7, 1497, in Florence, Italy, Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican friar, became the “moral police” of Florence. took over the city’s vibe, preaching against corruption, greed, and what he saw as the pagan excesses of the Renaissance. Savonarola sent out groups of local kids to go door-to-door and collect items that might lead people toward sin. These “vanities” were piled high in the Piazza della Signoria and set ablaze. The haul included anything related to “vanity” cosmetics, mirrors, fine clothing, silks, velvets, and ornate jewelry, books, music, and art.