January 28

Events

98day.year

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."
In 98 AD, Emperor Nerva died leaving no direct heir, plunging Rome into a brief succession crisis. Marcus Ulpius Traianus, then governor of Germania Inferior, was quickly acclaimed emperor by the legions at Cologne. He became the first Roman emperor born outside the Italian peninsula, hailed for his military prowess and fairness. Trajan's elevation marked the beginning of the "Five Good Emperors" period, a golden age of stability and growth. Under his rule, Rome would expand to its greatest territorial extent and enjoy economic prosperity. This smooth transition set a precedent for adopting capable successors in Imperial Rome.
98 Nerva Trajan Cologne
814day.year

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.
On this day in 814, Charlemagne, who had forged the Carolingian Empire and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, passed away at Aachen. His son, Louis the Pious, automatically succeeded him, inheriting a vast realm spanning modern France, Germany, and beyond. Louis faced the challenge of maintaining unity among powerful nobles and preserving his father's legacy. His reign would be marked by internal revolts and efforts to strengthen ecclesiastical reform. The transition underscored the importance of hereditary succession in medieval Christendom. Charlemagne's passing closed an era of conquest and cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance.
814 Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor Louis the Pious Frankish Empire
1069day.year

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.
In 1069, William the Conqueror's appointee, Robert de Comines, entered Durham to assume the earldom of Northumbria. Local Anglo-Saxon rebels, resentful of Norman rule, rose against his authority and laid siege to the city. Comines was ambushed and slain along with his men, an event that enraged King William. In retaliation, William ordered the Harrying of the North, a scorched-earth campaign devastating villages and farmlands. This harsh response aimed to crush resistance but led to widespread famine and suffering. The incident highlighted the deep divisions and brutal tactics of Norman consolidation in England.
1069 Robert de Comines Earl of Northumbria William the Conqueror Durham, England Harrying of the North
1077day.year

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.
In 1077, amid the Investiture Controversy, Emperor Henry IV journeyed to Canossa Castle in northern Italy. Standing barefoot in the snow for three days, he humbled himself before Pope Gregory VII to lift his excommunication. This dramatic penance secured his readmission to the Church but did little to resolve the underlying power struggle. The Walk to Canossa became a symbol of the tension between secular and papal authority in medieval Europe. Although temporarily reconciled, conflict over the right to appoint bishops continued for decades.
1077 Walk to Canossa excommunication Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor Pope Gregory VII
1393day.year

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.
In 1393, King Charles VI hosted an elaborate masquerade in Paris, complete with torches and pyrotechnics. A misplaced torch caught the flammable costumes of several attendees alight, causing panic in the ballroom. Amid the chaos, the king himself narrowly escaped serious injury thanks to his attendants. The incident exposed the hazards of medieval court entertainments and reliance on open flames. It also foreshadowed the struggles of Charles VI, whose later bouts of madness would shape France's future.
1393 King Charles VI of France several other dancers' costumes caught fire masquerade ball
1521day.year

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.
On January 28, 1521, Emperor Charles V summoned Martin Luther to appear before the Diet of Worms in the city of Worms. Luther was asked to recant his critiques of Church practices but steadfastly refused, affirming his beliefs. His declaration, "Here I stand," resonated across Europe and galvanized reform movements. The Diet's failure to reach consensus led to the Edict of Worms, branding Luther an outlaw. This watershed event deepened the divide between Catholic and emerging Protestant traditions. It set the stage for religious, political, and social upheaval across the continent.
1521 Diet of Worms May 25
1547day.year

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.
In 1547, the death of King Henry VIII ushered his nine-year-old son Edward VI onto the throne of England. A council of regency led by Edward's uncle, Edward Seymour, oversaw governance during the young king's minority. The period saw accelerated Protestant reforms, including changes to church services and liturgy. Edward's reign, though brief, laid foundations for England's break from Rome. His youth and ill health limited his direct influence on policy. Edward's early death in 1553 opened a contested succession that would reshape the country's religious landscape.
1547 Edward VI Henry VIII
1568day.year

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.
In 1568, the Eastern Hungarian Kingdom under John Sigismund Zápolya proclaimed the Edict of Torda. This decree prohibited persecution based on religious beliefs and allowed communities to choose their creed. It represented one of the earliest legal guarantees of religious tolerance in Europe. Motivated by the diverse confessions within his realm, Zápolya sought to maintain internal peace. The edict influenced later policies on religious freedom across the continent. Though limited in scope, it stood as a landmark in the gradual shift toward secular governance and individual rights.
1568 Edict of Torda John Sigismund Zápolya Eastern Hungarian Kingdom
1573day.year

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.
On January 28, 1573, Polish nobles signed the Articles of the Warsaw Confederation in Warsaw. These articles guaranteed religious freedom and mutual tolerance among Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox communities. It was the first such religious charter in Europe, reflecting the Commonwealth's political pluralism. Leaders aimed to prevent sectarian conflict and strengthen union among the nobility. The confederation set a precedent for constitutional protections and influenced later human rights concepts. The unique agreement helped preserve stability in one of Europe's most religiously diverse states.
1573 Warsaw Confederation freedom of religion
1591day.year

Execution of Agnes Sampson, accused of witchcraft in Edinburgh.

Agnes Sampson, accused of witchcraft, is executed in Edinburgh during the North Berwick witch trials.
In 1591, Agnes Sampson, a Scottish midwife and healer, was accused of witchcraft in Edinburgh. Under severe interrogation, she was blamed for conjuring storms that threatened King James VI's voyage. Her forced confession implicated other supposed witches and escalated the North Berwick trials. She was subjected to harsh interrogation, forced confession, and then executed by strangling and burning. Her death exemplified the paranoia and harsh punishments of early modern European witch hunts. The case had a lasting impact on Scottish law and the historical narrative of witchcraft persecution.
1591 Agnes Sampson witchcraft
1624day.year

Sir Thomas Warner founds the first British colony in the Caribbean, on the island of Saint Kitts.

Sir Thomas Warner establishes the first British colony on Saint Kitts, marking the beginning of British colonial presence in the Caribbean.
In 1624, English explorer Sir Thomas Warner led an expedition that established the first permanent British colony on the island of Saint Kitts. This settlement marked the beginning of sustained English presence in the Caribbean and challenged Spanish dominance in the region. Warner negotiated with the local Kalinago people, securing land for the colony while alliances shifted among European powers. The colony quickly adopted tobacco cultivation, later transitioning to sugar cane, which would drive the economy and labor demands. The founding of Saint Kitts laid the groundwork for further British colonization efforts across the Lesser Antilles. Over time, the island became a strategic naval and trading post, influencing the balance of power between colonial empires. The legacy of this early settlement is reflected in the island's cultural and political history as part of the British West Indies.
1624 Sir Thomas Warner Saint Kitts
1671day.year

Original city of Panama (founded in 1519) is destroyed by a fire when privateer Henry Morgan sacks and sets fire to it. The site of the previously devastated city is still in ruins (see Panama Viejo).

The original city of Panama is sacked and burned by privateer Henry Morgan, leaving Panama Viejo in ruins.
For centuries, the city of Panama served as a crucial hub for Spanish colonial trade, funneling New World riches to Europe. On January 28, 1671, Welsh privateer Sir Henry Morgan led his forces in a daring assault that breached the city's defenses. Morgan's men set fire to buildings and warehouses, leaving the settlement devastated by flames. The destruction of Panama Viejo forced Spanish authorities to relocate and rebuild the city across the harbor at a more defensible site. The ruins of the old city remain the oldest European settlement in Pacific America, now known as Panama Viejo. Archaeological excavations have uncovered streets, churches, and fortifications that tell the story of colonial life. Today, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage landmark, preserving the memory of Morgan's notorious raid and the rise of Panama as a crossroads of global commerce.
1671 Panama Henry Morgan sacks and sets fire to it Panama Viejo