March 04

Events

AD 51day.year

Nero, later to become Roman emperor, is given the title princeps iuventutis (head of the youth).

In AD 51, Nero, the future Roman emperor, is granted the title princeps iuventutis, marking his early rise within the imperial hierarchy.
At around thirteen years old, Nero receives the honorary title princeps iuventutis, meaning "first among the youth", in a ceremony orchestrated by his adoptive father Emperor Claudius. The designation highlights Nero's prominent status and foreshadows his succession to the throne. This event cements his position as heir apparent and strengthens his public image. The youth of Rome viewed Nero's elevation as a signal of a new generation of leadership. The bestowal underscores the political rituals of the Julian-Claudian dynasty. Nero's assumption of the title paves the way for his eventual accession in AD 54 as one of Rome's most famous emperors.
AD 51 Nero Roman emperor princeps iuventutis
306day.year

Martyrdom of Saint Adrian of Nicomedia.

In 306, Adrian of Nicomedia, a Roman imperial guard, is martyred for his Christian faith and later venerated as a saint.
Adrian serves as a guard in the imperial palace at Nicomedia before converting to Christianity during the persecutions under Emperor Maximian. Refusing to renounce his faith, he endures torture and is ultimately executed on March 4, 306. His steadfastness inspires early Christian communities and solidifies his reputation as a martyr. Churches and shrines are later dedicated in his honor, spreading his cult across the Roman world. Adrian’s story exemplifies the trials faced by early Christians and the power of conviction in the face of oppression.
306 Martyrdom Adrian of Nicomedia
581day.year

Yang Jian declares himself Emperor Wen of Sui, ending the Northern Zhou and beginning the Sui dynasty.

In 581, Yang Jian proclaims himself Emperor Wen of Sui, marking the transition from the Northern Zhou to the Sui dynasty in China.
After serving as regent for the Northern Zhou, Yang Jian seizes control and declares himself Emperor Wen of Sui on March 4, 581. His usurpation brings an end to decades of disunity following the fall of the Western Jin dynasty. Under his leadership, the Sui dynasty initiates major reforms in administration, law, and infrastructure. Emperor Wen standardizes the bureaucracy and reinstates the examination system to recruit officials by merit. He orders the construction of canals and roads, laying foundations for economic growth. His reign sets the stage for the grand accomplishments of his successor, Emperor Yang. The Sui dynasty’s brief but transformative rule paves the way for the cultural flourishing of the Tang era.
581 Yang Jian Emperor Wen of Sui Northern Zhou Sui dynasty
852day.year

Croatian Knez Trpimir I issues a statute, a document with the first known written mention of the Croats name in Croatian sources.

In 852, Knez Trpimir I issues the first known Croatian legal statute, containing the earliest recorded mention of the Croats in their native sources.
Ruler of Dalmatian Croatia, Trpimir I promulgates a statute on March 4, 852, addressing church lands and legal privileges for monastic institutions. The document, preserved in Latin, is the first written source to reference the Croats name in a domestic context. It affirms Trpimir’s authority and strengthens ties between the Christian church and the Croatian state. The statute offers insights into early medieval legal practice on the Balkan peninsula. Its discovery illuminates the origins of Croatian identity and statecraft. Trpimir’s reign lays foundations for the development of a cohesive Croatian polity.
852 Knez Trpimir I statute Croats
938day.year

Translation of the relics of martyr Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, Prince of the Czechs.

In 938, the relics of Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, are solemnly translated to a new shrine, enhancing his veneration as patron of the Czech lands.
Wenceslaus I, also known as Good King Wenceslaus, is already revered for his piety and martyrdom when his remains are moved to a purpose-built chapel in Prague on March 4, 938. The translation ceremony elevates his relics to a place of honor and attracts pilgrims from across Bohemia. This event solidifies Wenceslaus’s status as national patron and symbol of Czech statehood. Churches and chapels dedicated to him proliferate, intertwining his legacy with the cultural and religious life of the region. The translation also strengthens ties between the Bohemian princes and the Christian church in Rome. Over centuries, Wenceslaus’s feast and legends inspire art, music, and folklore throughout Central Europe.
938 relics martyr Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia Czechs
1152day.year

Frederick I Barbarossa is elected King of Germany.

Frederick I Barbarossa is elected King of Germany in 1152, beginning his storied reign within the Holy Roman Empire.
On March 4, 1152, a council of German princes convenes at Mainz and elects Frederick Barbarossa as King of Germany following the death of King Conrad III. Aged around 40 and hailing from the powerful Hohenstaufen dynasty, he secures broad support by promising military leadership and internal reform. Frederick’s election marks the resurgence of imperial authority after years of weak kingship and civil strife. He is crowned at Aachen, reviving the ancient coronation traditions of the Carolingian and Ottonian emperors. Frederick embarks on campaigns in Italy to assert imperial rights and negotiate with the papacy. His diplomatic acumen and martial prowess earn him the epithet
1152 Frederick I Barbarossa King of Germany
1238day.year

The Battle of the Sit River begins two centuries of Mongol horde domination of Rus.

The Battle of the Sit River on March 4, 1238, sees Mongol forces decisively defeat the Rus' principalities, ushering in two centuries of domination.
Grand Prince Yuri II of Vladimir leads a coalition of Rus' principalities to resist Batu Khan's advancing Mongol armies near the Sit River. Despite their numbers, the Rus' forces are overwhelmed by superior Mongol tactics and cavalry mobility. Yuri II is killed in the battle, leaving the key city of Vladimir exposed to sack. The defeat shatters organized resistance and forces the Rus' princes into tributary status under the Golden Horde. This battle marks the beginning of the Mongol yoke, a period of foreign domination that lasts until the rise of Moscow. The event profoundly shapes the political landscape of Eastern Europe and influences the future trajectory of the Russian state.
1238 Battle of the Sit River Mongol horde
1351day.year

Ramathibodi becomes King of Siam.

In 1351, Ramathibodi I ascends the throne of Ayutthaya, laying the foundations of the Siamese kingdom’s golden age.
Born as Uthong and known post-coronation as Ramathibodi I, he becomes the first king of the independent Ayutthaya Kingdom on March 4, 1351. Under his rule, Ayutthaya emerges as a major regional power, establishing administrative codes and legal systems influenced by both Khmer and Srivijayan traditions. He reforms land ownership and taxation, strengthening central authority over local chieftains. Buddhism is patronized and state temples are constructed, cementing the religion’s role in governance. Ramathibodi expands trade by forging diplomatic ties with China, India, and the Maldives. His reign sets cultural precedents that endure throughout the Ayutthaya period. The kingdom later becomes one of Southeast Asia’s most prosperous maritime hubs.
1351 Ramathibodi King of Siam
1386day.year

Władysław II Jagiełło (Jogaila) is crowned King of Poland.

On March 4, 1386, Grand Duke Jogaila of Lithuania is crowned Władysław II Jagiełło, King of Poland, marking the Polish–Lithuanian union's beginnings.
The union is sealed through Jogaila’s marriage to Queen Jadwiga of Poland, bringing Catholicism to Lithuania and forging a powerful political alliance. Jogaila adopts the name Władysław II Jagiełło upon his coronation in Kraków, aligning himself with Polish nobility and clergy. This dynastic pact stabilizes the region and creates one of medieval Europe’s largest states. Jagiełło’s reign focuses on consolidating royal authority and defending against the Teutonic Knights. The union accelerates cultural and religious integration, while Lithuania benefits from Poland’s administrative structures. The Jagiellonian dynasty established on this day endures for centuries, shaping Central European geopolitics.
1386 Władysław II Jagiełło King of Poland
1461day.year

Wars of the Roses in England: Lancastrian King Henry VI is deposed by his House of York cousin, who then becomes King Edward IV.

During the Wars of the Roses on March 4, 1461, Edward IV of York deposes his Lancastrian cousin Henry VI and is proclaimed King of England.
A day after the decisive Yorkist victory at the Battle of Towton, Edward of York consolidates his claim by seizing London and forcing King Henry VI into flight. The deposed monarch’s supporters flee to Wales and Scotland, leaving Edward free to enter Westminster and accept homage from the nobility. His accession marks the triumphant moment of the House of York in the dynastic struggle. Edward quickly grants lands and titles to loyal followers to secure his base of support. Henry VI’s mental fragility and the Yorkist ascendancy define the next phase of the conflict. Edward IV’s reign heralds a new era of military innovation and courtly culture at the English royal court.
1461 Wars of the Roses Lancastrian King Henry VI House of York King Edward IV
1493day.year

Explorer Christopher Columbus arrives back in Lisbon, Portugal, aboard his ship Niña from his voyage to what are now The Bahamas and other islands in the Caribbean.

In 1493, Christopher Columbus returned to Lisbon aboard the Niña after exploring the Bahamas and other Caribbean islands.
On March 4, 1493, Christopher Columbus returned to Lisbon aboard the Niña after his first voyage across the Atlantic. He had explored the Bahamas and other islands in the Caribbean, encountering various indigenous peoples. His return provided Europe with some of its earliest reports of the New World. Columbus’s voyage demonstrated the feasibility of transatlantic navigation and sparked further expeditions. King John II of Portugal studied his findings closely, leading to increased interest in exploration. This moment marked a turning point in global history and the beginning of European colonial expansion.
1493 Christopher Columbus Lisbon Niña his voyage The Bahamas Caribbean
1519day.year

Hernán Cortés arrives in Mexico in search of the Aztec civilization and its wealth.

In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés landed on the coast of Mexico, initiating the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
On March 4, 1519, Hernán Cortés and his expedition landed on the coast of present-day Mexico. He aimed to establish Spanish presence and seek the wealth of the Aztec Empire. Cortés formed alliances with local tribes who were hostile to the Aztecs. This strategic cooperation allowed him to advance toward the powerful city of Tenochtitlán. His arrival initiated a series of events that would lead to the fall of the Aztec civilization. The expedition reshaped the cultural and political landscape of the Americas.
1519 Hernán Cortés Aztec