January 20

Events

250day.year

Pope Fabian is martyred during the Decian persecution.

Pope Fabian, the Bishop of Rome, was executed in 250 during the Decian persecution.
In 250, Emperor Decius launched an empire-wide persecution of Christians. Pope Fabian, leader of the early Church, refused to renounce his faith. He was arrested and imprisoned in Rome. Historical accounts record that he was martyred for his beliefs. His steadfastness inspired later generations of Christians. Fabian's death highlights the intense struggles faced by early Christians. He is commemorated as a saint in both Western and Eastern Christian traditions.
250 Pope Fabian Decian persecution
1156day.year

Finnish peasant Lalli kills English clergyman Henry, the Bishop of Turku, on the ice of Lake Köyliö.

In 1156, Finnish peasant Lalli murdered Bishop Henry of Turku on the frozen Lake Köyliö.
According to legend, Bishop Henry was traveling to Finland to organize the Church's mission. He stayed at Lalli's dwelling and was suspected of misconduct. Fueled by anger and misunderstanding, Lalli confronted Henry on the ice of Lake Köyliö. The peasant killed the bishop with an axe during the icy winter night. This dramatic incident became a foundational myth in Finnish history. Over centuries, the tale of Lalli and Bishop Henry evolved into national folklore. It reflects the tensions between local customs and church authority in medieval Finland.
1156 Lalli Henry Bishop of Turku Lake Köyliö
1265day.year

The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly known as the "Houses of Parliament".

In 1265, Simon de Montfort's parliament convened at the Palace of Westminster as the first assembly to include commoners alongside lords.
Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, summoned knights and burgesses from major towns to advise on royal governance. On January 20, 1265, these representatives met at Westminster Hall. This marked the first time that elected commoners had a voice in the English parliament. The assembly laid the groundwork for the modern parliamentary system. Although it lasted only briefly, it set a precedent for broader political participation. The event signaled a shift away from purely aristocratic councils toward representative governance. Historians regard it as a key moment in the development of constitutional monarchy in England.
1265 first English parliament Palace of Westminster
1320day.year

Duke Wladyslaw Lokietek becomes king of Poland.

On January 20, 1320, Władysław I the Elbow-high was crowned as King of Poland, uniting the fragmented Polish territories.
After decades of regional division and external pressures, Władysław I Lokietek consolidated power in 1320. He was crowned at the Wawel Cathedral in Kraków on January 20. His coronation marked the restoration of the Polish kingdom after a period of feudal fragmentation. As king, he worked to strengthen central authority and reclaim lands lost to neighboring states. Władysław faced ongoing challenges from the Teutonic Knights and local nobles. His reign laid the foundations for the future expansion of the Polish state. Historians credit him with establishing stability that allowed the kingdom to flourish in the 14th century.
1320 Wladyslaw Lokietek king of Poland
1356day.year

Edward Balliol surrenders his claim to the Scottish throne to Edward III in exchange for an English pension.

In 1356, Edward Balliol renounced his claim to the Scottish crown in exchange for an English pension from Edward III.
Edward Balliol had briefly claimed the Scottish throne with English support during the Second War of Scottish Independence. Facing dwindling allies and military setbacks, he negotiated with Edward III of England. On January 20, 1356, Balliol formally surrendered his claim in return for a pension and exile. This act consolidated Edward III's influence over Scottish affairs. It also marked the end of Balliol's ambitions for power in Scotland. While he lived on in England, his surrender shifted the dynamics of Anglo-Scottish relations. Scottish resistance continued under leaders like Robert Bruce's descendants, eventually restoring native rule by David II.
1356 Edward Balliol Scottish throne Edward III
1401day.year

The Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.

Europe's first public bank, the Taula de canvi in Barcelona, began operations on January 20, 1401.
On this date in 1401, the Taula de canvi opened within the Llotja de Mar, Barcelona's 14th-century maritime trade center. Established by the city council, it provided services like deposits, transfers, and currency exchange. It played a crucial role in facilitating commerce between Catalonia and the wider Mediterranean. Unlike private banks, it was overseen by public officials to ensure transparency and stability. Merchants and artisans relied on its credit facilities to finance trade expeditions. The Taula's success inspired other European cities to create similar institutions. It is regarded as a pioneering model of public banking that shaped modern financial systems.
1401 Taula de canvi Barcelona Llotja de Mar
1523day.year

Christian II is forced to abdicate as King of Denmark and Norway.

In 1523, King Christian II of Denmark and Norway was compelled to abdicate following a popular uprising and noble revolt.
Christian II faced growing opposition from the Danish nobility and urban elites due to his reformist policies and heavy taxation. He was accused of tyranny and misrule during his reign. On January 20, 1523, he officially abdicated in favor of his uncle, Frederick I. The power shift ended Christian's attempts to centralize authority and implement social reforms. After his abdication, Christian fled to the Netherlands, where he spent the remainder of his life. His removal paved the way for the rise of the Oldenburg dynasty in Denmark. Historians view his fall as a clash between royal absolutism and entrenched noble interests.
1523 Christian II
1567day.year

Battle of Rio de Janeiro: Portuguese forces under the command of Estácio de Sá definitively drive the French out of Rio de Janeiro.

In 1567, Portuguese forces under Estácio de Sá expelled the French from Rio de Janeiro, securing control of the region.
The French had established a colony known as France Antarctique in the Guanabara Bay area since 1555. Portuguese captain Estácio de Sá led a military expedition to retake the territory. On January 20, 1567, his forces launched a decisive assault on the French fortifications. After fierce fighting, the Portuguese routed the defenders and captured their stronghold. The victory ended the French colonial presence in the region. Brazil then began to expand under Portuguese colonial rule. The event solidified Portugal's hold on what would become one of its most important colonial cities. Rio de Janeiro would later grow into a major economic and cultural center in the Americas.
1567 Battle of Rio de Janeiro Portuguese Estácio de Sá Rio de Janeiro
1576day.year

The Mexican city of León is founded by order of the viceroy Don Martín Enríquez de Almanza.

On January 20, 1576, the city of León was founded in New Spain by Viceroy Martín Enríquez de Almanza.
The settlement was established to secure Spanish control over the Guanajuato region and to serve as a center for agriculture. Viceroy Martín Enríquez de Almanza formally ordered its foundation with a group of Spanish settlers and indigenous allies. The name 'León' honored Spanish monarchy and mirrored the city of León in Spain. Its fertile lands and strategic location on trade routes contributed to its early growth. The town quickly developed into an important colonial hub with markets, churches, and administrative buildings. Over time, León became a center of leather and shoemaking industries. Today, it is one of the largest cities in central Mexico, known for its rich cultural heritage.
1576 León Martín Enríquez de Almanza
1649day.year

The High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I begins its proceedings.

On January 20, 1649, the High Court of Justice convened to begin the trial of King Charles I of England.
Following the English Civil War, the victorious Parliamentarians sought to hold Charles I accountable for waging war against his own people. A special tribunal, the High Court of Justice, was established under an unprecedented ordinance. On this day, judges, commissioners, and officers assembled at Westminster Hall. The charges accused the king of high treason and other high crimes. Charles refused to recognize the court's legitimacy, denying its authority throughout the proceedings. The trial lasted several days and ended with a guilty verdict. This led to Charles's execution on January 30, 1649, sending shockwaves across Europe and altering the course of monarchical power. The event remains one of the most significant constitutional crises in British history.
1649 High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I
1783day.year

The Kingdom of Great Britain signs preliminary articles of peace with the Kingdom of France, setting the stage for the official end of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War later that year.

In 1783, Great Britain and France signed preliminary peace articles, paving the way for the end of the American Revolutionary War.
On January 20, 1783, representatives of the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of France signed the preliminary articles of peace in Versailles. These agreements laid out the terms for cessation of hostilities in North America following the American Revolutionary War. They established boundaries, prisoner exchanges, and restitution of property as part of the peace framework. The preliminary articles set the stage for formal treaties to be negotiated later in the year, including the Treaty of Paris. This diplomatic breakthrough marked a turning point in the war, leading to recognition of American independence. It also reshaped European balance of power and colonial holdings worldwide.
1783 Kingdom of Great Britain articles of peace Kingdom of France American Revolutionary War
1785day.year

Invading Siamese forces attempt to exploit the political chaos in Vietnam, but are ambushed and annihilated at the Mekong river by the Tây Sơn in the Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút.

In 1785, Siamese forces were ambushed and destroyed by the Tây Sơn at the Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút on the Mekong River.
The Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút took place on January 20, 1785, along the upper Mekong River. Siamese troops, seeking to capitalize on Vietnam's internal turmoil, advanced deep into southern territories. Under the command of Nguyễn Huệ, the Tây Sơn army set an ambush amid the river's winding channels. Using surprise tactics and the river's geography, they annihilated the invading force. Contemporary accounts claim the Siamese suffered near-total casualties with few survivors. The victory solidified Tây Sơn control in the region and deterred further Siamese interventions.
1785 Siamese Vietnam Mekong Tây Sơn Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút