So technically they launched this the day after Tisha B'Av, is that right? (Not that it makes it any better - just trying to nail down the timing. I consider these things very significant.) Thanks for your patience with my ignorance!
The date was deliberate. Originally, the expulsion was scheduled for the day after the 17th of Tammuz, the day the Romans breached the walls of Jerusalem, which begins a three week period of mourning ending on Tish B'Av. Realizing the irony of conducting the expulsion during a period of mourning, it was rescheduled, though I'm not sure much was accomplished by that.