January 28
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Joseph Freinademetz, Julian of Cuenca, Thomas Aquinas, January 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring several saints and theologians remembered on January 28.
Army Day (Armenia)
Armenia’s national holiday celebrating the founding of its armed forces on January 28, 1918.
Data Privacy Day
An international observance promoting awareness and best practices for protecting personal data.
Joseph Freinademetz
Feast day honoring Joseph Freinademetz, a missionary priest who served in China.
Julian of Cuenca
Feast day of St. Julian of Cuenca, a medieval bishop known for his charitable works.
Thomas Aquinas
Feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, celebrated theologian and philosopher of the Church.
January 28 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Eastern Orthodox liturgical commemorations and saintly observances for January 28.
Events
On the death of Nerva, Trajan is declared Roman emperor in Cologne, the seat of his government in lower Germany.
In 98 AD, upon the death of Emperor Nerva, Trajan was proclaimed Roman Emperor in Cologne, heralding the era of the "Five Good Emperors."
The death of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, brings about the accession of his son Louis the Pious as ruler of the Frankish Empire.
Charlemagne dies and his son Louis the Pious succeeds him as ruler of the vast Frankish Empire.
Robert de Comines, appointed Earl of Northumbria by William the Conqueror, rides into Durham, England, where he is defeated and killed by rebels. This incident leads to the Harrying of the North.
Robert de Comines is ambushed and killed by Northumbrian rebels in Durham, prompting William the Conqueror's brutal Harrying of the North.
Walk to Canossa: The excommunication of Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor, is lifted after he humbles himself before Pope Gregory VII at Canossa in Italy.
Henry IV humbles himself before Pope Gregory VII at Canossa, leading to the lifting of his excommunication.
King Charles VI of France was nearly killed when several other dancers' costumes caught fire during a masquerade ball in Paris.
A torch mishap at a Paris masquerade ball ignites dancers' costumes, nearly claiming the life of King Charles VI.
The Diet of Worms begins, lasting until May 25.
The Diet of Worms convenes to examine Martin Luther's teachings, marking a key moment in the Protestant Reformation.
Edward VI, the nine-year-old son of Henry VIII, becomes King of England on his father's death.
Nine-year-old Edward VI ascends to the English throne following the death of his father, Henry VIII.
The Edict of Torda prohibits the persecution of individuals on religious grounds in John Sigismund Zápolya's Eastern Hungarian Kingdom.
John Sigismund Zápolya issues the Edict of Torda, outlawing religious persecution in his realm.
Articles of the Warsaw Confederation are signed, sanctioning freedom of religion in Poland.
The Warsaw Confederation formally guarantees religious freedom for nobles in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Births
Taizong
Emperor Taizong was the second emperor of the Tang dynasty, ruling from 626 to 649 and overseeing a golden age in China.
Joan II
Queen Joan II of Navarre ruled from 1328 to 1349, guiding her kingdom through complex political conflicts during the Hundred Years’ War.
Razadarit
King Razadarit of Hanthawaddy unified Lower Burma and successfully defended his realm against the Kingdom of Ava in the early 15th century.
Henry VII
Henry VII established the Tudor dynasty after winning the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, bringing stability to post-Wars of the Roses England.
Paul Luther
Paul Luther was a German Renaissance physician and alchemist celebrated for his pioneering studies of mineral springs and chemical processes.
Ludolph van Ceulen
Ludolph van Ceulen was a mathematician renowned for calculating pi to 35 decimal places, a record that stood for centuries.
John Barclay
John Barclay was a French-Scottish poet and satirical author best known for his Latin romance 'Argenis.'
Clement IX
Pope Clement IX led the Catholic Church from 1667 to 1669, known for his diplomatic efforts and patronage of the arts.
Giovanni Alfonso Borelli
Giovanni Alfonso Borelli was a pioneer of biomechanics, applying mechanical principles to biological processes.
Deaths
Yazid II
Yazid II was the 11th Umayyad caliph, ruling from 720 to 724. His reign saw administrative reforms and religious controversies that shaped early Islamic governance.
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks and Lombards and the first Holy Roman Emperor, reigning from 768 to 814. He initiated the Carolingian Renaissance and unified much of Western Europe.
Zhou Dewei
Zhou Dewei was a military governor of the Later Liang dynasty who defended northern China against nomadic incursions.
Gao Jixing
Gao Jixing was the founder and first ruler of the Jingnan kingdom during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Jing Yanguang
Jing Yanguang was a general of the Later Jin dynasty during the Five Dynasties period, recognized for his battlefield command and governance.
Spytihněv II
Spytihněv II was Duke of Bohemia from 1055 until his death in 1061, known for consolidating ducal authority and supporting church reforms.
Yue Fei
Yue Fei was a Song dynasty general celebrated for his loyalty and martial prowess in defense of China.
William II
William II was Count of Holland and was elected King of Germany, ruling the Holy Roman Empire’s German territories from 1247 until 1256.
Isabella of Aragon
Isabella of Aragon was Queen consort of France as the second wife of King Philip III, noted for her piety and charitable patronage.