or 453
Severianus, Bishop of Scythopolis, is martyred in Palestine.
Severianus, the Bishop of Scythopolis, was killed for his Christian faith in Palestine.
In 452 (or 453), Severianus, who led the Christian community in Scythopolis (modern Beit She'an), was martyred in Palestine. His death exemplifies the persecution faced by early Church leaders under tumultuous regional politics. Although few records survive, his sacrifice was remembered by early Christian historians. Severianus’s martyrdom underscored the tensions between emerging Christian authorities and local powers. He is honored in some traditions as a symbol of unwavering faith during the Late Antique period.
452
453
Severianus, Bishop of Scythopolis
1245day.year
Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, is granted resignation after confessing to torture and forgery.
Thomas, the first known Bishop of Finland, resigns in 1245 after admitting to torture and forgery.
In 1245, Thomas, recognized as the earliest Bishop of Finland, confessed to acts of torture and document forgery before church authorities. His admission led to an extraordinary decision granting him resignation from his episcopal duties. This incident provides a rare glimpse into the accountability mechanisms within the medieval Church. It highlights the challenges of establishing ecclesiastical order in newly Christianized regions of Northern Europe. Although details remain scarce, Thomas’s case set an early precedent for clerical oversight in Finland’s religious history.
1245
Thomas
Bishop of Finland
forgery
1440day.year
The Prussian Confederation is formed.
Cities and nobles in Prussia unite to form the Prussian Confederation in 1440 to challenge Teutonic Order rule.
In 1440, several Prussian cities and noble families formed the Prussian Confederation to resist the political and economic control of the Teutonic Knights. The alliance sought greater local autonomy, relief from taxation, and the defense of trade rights in eastern Prussia. By creating a formal league, its members aimed to present a unified front in negotiations and potential military actions. The Confederation later played a pivotal role in inviting the Polish crown to intervene, leading to the Thirteen Years’ War. Its formation marks a significant moment in the decline of the Teutonic Order’s dominance and the reshaping of Central European politics.
1440
Prussian Confederation
1613day.year
Mikhail I is unanimously elected Tsar by a national assembly, beginning the Romanov dynasty of Imperial Russia.
Mikhail I is elected Tsar by a national assembly in 1613, founding the Romanov dynasty in Russia.
On February 21, 1613, Mikhail Romanov was unanimously chosen as Tsar by a national assembly convened in Moscow after years of political chaos known as the Time of Troubles. At just 16 years old and backed by influential boyar families, his election ended a period of foreign intervention and pretenders. The choice of Mikhail ushered in nearly three centuries of Romanov rule, profoundly shaping the future of Imperial Russia. His reign began the stabilization of the Russian state and restoration of autocratic monarchy. The establishment of the Romanov dynasty laid the foundations for Russia’s expansion and transformation into a major European power.
1613
Mikhail I
Tsar
national assembly
Romanov dynasty
Imperial Russia
1797day.year
A force of 1,400 French soldiers invaded Britain at Fishguard in support of the Society of United Irishmen. They were defeated by 500 British reservists.
A French force lands at Fishguard in 1797 but is swiftly defeated by British reservists, marking Britain’s last invasion.
In February 1797, 1,400 French troops landed on the coast of Fishguard, Wales, aiming to support the Society of United Irishmen in its revolt against British rule. The small invading force anticipated local uprisings but encountered firm resistance from approximately 500 British reservists and local militia. After brief skirmishes and the threat of more British forces arriving, the French garrison surrendered within days. The episode, often called the 'Last Invasion of Britain,' had little strategic impact but entered folklore. It underscored the vulnerability of coastal defenses during the Revolutionary Wars and boosted British morale.
1797
invaded Britain
Fishguard
Society of United Irishmen
1804day.year
The first self-propelling steam locomotive makes its outing at the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Wales.
In 1804, the first steam locomotive makes its debut at the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in Wales, heralding a new era of rail transport.
At the Pen-y-Darren Ironworks in South Wales, an experimental steam-powered locomotive successfully completed its first trial run on February 21, 1804. Designed by engineer Richard Trevithick, the self-propelled engine hauled iron rails along a tramroad, demonstrating the potential of steam propulsion. Although its primitive track and heavy weight limited efficiency, the outing showcased a breakthrough in mechanized transport. The event marked the dawn of railway innovation that would soon transform industry and travel across the world. This pioneering trial laid the groundwork for the development of modern rail networks.
1804
steam locomotive
Pen-y-Darren Ironworks
1808day.year
Without a previous declaration of war, Russian troops cross the border to Sweden at Abborfors in eastern Finland, thus beginning the Finnish War, in which Sweden will lose the eastern half of the country (i.e. Finland) to Russia.
Russian troops invade eastern Finland without warning in 1808 at Abborfors, starting the Finnish War.
On February 21, 1808, Russian forces crossed the border into Sweden’s eastern province of Finland at Abborfors without a formal declaration of war, initiating the Finnish War. The surprise incursion was part of Russia’s strategic moves during the Napoleonic Wars to secure its northwestern frontier. Sweden, caught off guard, struggled to mount an effective defense against a better-organized Russian army. After intense campaigns, the conflict concluded in 1809 with the Treaty of Fredrikshamn, which ceded Finland to Russia. The war’s outcome led to Finland’s status as an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Empire, shaping its national development.
1808
Abborfors
Finnish War
1828day.year
Initial issue of the Cherokee Phoenix is the first periodical to use the Cherokee syllabary invented by Sequoyah.
The Cherokee Phoenix, the first newspaper to use the Cherokee syllabary, publishes its inaugural issue in 1828.
On February 21, 1828, the Cherokee Phoenix released its first edition in New Echota, becoming the first periodical printed in a Native American language. Utilizing the syllabary created by Sequoyah, the newspaper featured news in both Cherokee and English, aiming to inform and unite the Cherokee Nation. It reported on tribal affairs, U.S. policy toward Native Americans, and cultural topics, fostering literacy and political awareness. The Phoenix represented a milestone in Indigenous journalism and resistance, giving the Cherokee a powerful voice amid growing U.S. expansion. Though it ceased publication in 1834, the paper's legacy endures as a symbol of cultural resilience and innovation.
1828
Cherokee Phoenix
Cherokee syllabary
Sequoyah
1842day.year
John Greenough is granted the first U.S. patent for the sewing machine.
John Greenough is awarded the United States’ first sewing machine patent in 1842, revolutionizing garment manufacture.
In 1842, inventor John Greenough received the first U.S. patent for a sewing machine, marking a pivotal moment in textile technology. His design mechanized needle movement, allowing for faster and more uniform stitching compared to hand sewing. Though never widely commercialized, Greenough’s patent laid the groundwork for later improvements by inventors like Elias Howe and Isaac Singer. The concept of mechanized sewing soon spurred the growth of the garment industry and mass production of clothing. Greenough’s innovation heralded the beginning of a transformation that would reshape both domestic life and global manufacturing.
1842
sewing machine
1848day.year
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish The Communist Manifesto.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish The Communist Manifesto in 1848, articulating the principles of communism.
On February 21, 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels released The Communist Manifesto, a political pamphlet outlining the theory of class struggle and proletarian revolution. Commissioned by the Communist League, the work argued that history was driven by economic conflicts and called for the working class to overthrow capitalist systems. It introduced famous slogans like 'Workers of the world, unite!' and shaped socialist movements across Europe. Though initially reaching a limited audience, the Manifesto's ideas spread rapidly amid social upheavals. Its publication marked a foundational moment in political theory, influencing revolutions, labor movements, and governments worldwide.
1848
Karl Marx
Friedrich Engels
The Communist Manifesto
1861day.year
Mariehamn, the capital city of Åland, is founded.
In 1861, the town of Mariehamn is officially established on the Åland Islands as its new administrative center.
Mariehamn was founded under a decree by the Grand Duchy of Finland (then part of the Russian Empire) to provide a safe harbor and stimulate trade in the Baltic region.
Named in honor of the Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna, the settlement quickly grew as a maritime hub.
Its strategic location on the coast facilitated shipping and contributed to the local economy’s development.
Over time, Mariehamn became the cultural and political capital of Åland, preserving unique Swedish-speaking traditions.
Today, the city remains a vital ferry port and a symbol of Åland’s autonomy and heritage.
1861
Mariehamn
Åland
1862day.year
American Civil War: Battle of Valverde is fought near Fort Craig in New Mexico Territory.
On February 21, 1862, Confederate forces clash with Union troops at the Battle of Valverde along the Rio Grande in New Mexico Territory.
Part of the New Mexico Campaign during the American Civil War, the Battle of Valverde saw Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s Confederate Army of New Mexico face off against Union forces under Colonel Edward Canby.
Fought near Fort Craig, the engagement was triggered by Confederate attempts to seize strategic supply routes and push northward.
After intense fighting across arid terrain, the Confederates secured a tactical victory, forcing the Union army to retreat.
The outcome bolstered Confederate hopes of controlling the Southwest, though their gains were short-lived.
Valverde remains one of the westernmost battles of the Civil War and highlights the conflict’s reach beyond the traditional eastern theaters.
1862
American Civil War
Battle of Valverde
Fort Craig
New Mexico Territory