37day.year
Roman Senate annuls Tiberius' will and proclaims Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (aka Caligula = Little Boots) emperor.
On this day in 37 AD, the Roman Senate annulled Emperor Tiberius' will and elevated his successor Caligula to the throne, ushering in a new era for the empire.
After the death of Emperor Tiberius in AD 37, the Roman Senate took the bold step of annulling his will and rejecting his designated heirs. In a unanimous decision, they proclaimed Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, popularly known by his nickname Caligula, as the new emperor. The young ruler, only in his early twenties, inherited a vast and powerful empire that stretched from the British Isles to the Near East. His ascent was celebrated by many Romans who hoped for a return to the stability of Augustus' reign. However, Caligula's later actions would soon overshadow this moment of optimism. This pivotal event set the stage for one of history's most controversial emperors.
37
Tiberius
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
Caligula
1314day.year
Jacques de Molay, the 23rd and final Grand Master of the Knights Templar, is burned at the stake.
On March 18, 1314, Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was publicly burned at the stake, marking the end of the famed order.
Charged with heresy and subjected to torture, Jacques de Molay stood trial in Paris before King Philip IV's court. Despite renouncing confessions made under duress, he was condemned to death. In a dramatic ceremony on the Île aux Juifs, he and a fellow Templar were tied to stakes and burned before a stunned crowd. De Molay's execution on this day extinguished the centuries-old military-religious order he led. Rumors later circulated that he cursed the king and pope from the flames. His martyrdom inspired legends and fueled demonization of the persecutors. This grim episode signaled the collapse of the Templars and reshaped medieval Christendom.
1314
Jacques de Molay
Knights Templar
1438day.year
Albert II of Habsburg becomes King of the Romans.
In 1438, Albert II of Habsburg was elected King of the Romans, consolidating Habsburg influence in central Europe.
Following the death of Emperor Sigismund, the electors of the Holy Roman Empire convened and chose Albert II of Habsburg as their new King of the Romans on March 18, 1438. His election strengthened the Habsburg dynasty's position within the empire. Albert had already served as king of Hungary and Bohemia, bringing extensive experience to his new title. His reign promised continuity amid political fragmentation and external threats. Albert's coronation laid groundwork for his future imperial ambitions, though his early death in 1439 limited his impact. Nonetheless, his brief tenure marked the rise of a dynasty that would dominate European politics for centuries.
1438
Albert II of Habsburg
King of the Romans
1571day.year
Valletta is made the capital city of Malta.
The fortified city of Valletta was designated the capital of Malta in 1571, shaping its destiny as a Mediterranean stronghold.
After the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the Knights Hospitaller sought a more defensible capital. Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette commissioned the construction of a new fortified city on the Sciberras Peninsula. On March 18, 1571, Valletta was officially declared the island's capital and began to grow with carefully planned streets and bastions. Its strategic location and robust fortifications made it a key outpost against Ottoman expansion. Architects and artisans from across Europe contributed to its rapid development. Valletta's establishment laid the foundation for its rich architectural heritage and its enduring role in Malta's national identity.
1571
Valletta
Malta
1608day.year
Susenyos is formally crowned Emperor of Ethiopia.
In 1608, Susenyos was formally crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, initiating a reign marked by religious reform and conflict.
Susenyos I ascended as Emperor of Ethiopia on March 18, 1608, succeeding his predecessor Za Dengel. His coronation solidified his claim after years of dynastic struggle within the Solomonic dynasty. Influenced by Jesuit missionaries, Susenyos later attempted to introduce Catholicism as the state religion, provoking widespread unrest. While his reign brought renewed ties with Europe and modern military reforms, many Ethiopians resisted his religious policies. Ultimately, his successors reversed his controversial reforms, but the period of his rule left lasting impacts on Ethiopian governance and church relations. Susenyos's complex legacy remains a pivotal chapter in Ethiopia's imperial history.
1608
Susenyos
Ethiopia
1673day.year
English lord John Berkeley sold his half of New Jersey to the Quakers
In 1673, Lord John Berkeley sold his half of the Province of New Jersey to a group of Quaker investors, paving the way for Quaker settlement.
Originally granted to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret in 1664, New Jersey was divided into East and West Jersey. Financial difficulties led John Berkeley to sell his share of West Jersey to Quaker proprietors on March 18, 1673. The sale transferred governance to Quaker leaders who established policies of religious tolerance and equitable land distribution. This change attracted settlers seeking freedom of worship and rights under William Penn's guidance. The Quaker proprietorship would influence the colony's progressive political and social structures. Berkeley's decision thus reshaped New Jersey's early development and left a legacy of pluralism in the region.
1673
John Berkeley
New Jersey
Quakers
1766day.year
American Revolution: The British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act.
The British Parliament formally repeals the Stamp Act, easing colonial unrest in America.
On March 18, 1766, the British Parliament voted to repeal the Stamp Act, which had imposed direct taxes on American colonists.
The repeal followed widespread protests, boycotts of British goods, and unified colonial resistance across North America.
Benjamin Franklin’s lobbying in London and colonial leadership’s coordinated non-importation agreements played key roles.
While the repeal was celebrated in the colonies, Parliament simultaneously passed the Declaratory Act to assert imperial authority.
This legislative turn marked a critical moment in the buildup to the American Revolution and shaped colonial attitudes toward British rule.
1766
American Revolution
British Parliament
Stamp Act
1793day.year
The first modern republic in Germany, the Republic of Mainz, is declared by Andreas Joseph Hofmann.
Andreas Joseph Hofmann proclaims the Republic of Mainz, the pioneering modern German republic.
In the wake of French Revolutionary victories, political reformer Andreas Joseph Hofmann declared the Republic of Mainz on March 18, 1793.
This republic was the first modern state on German soil inspired by revolutionary ideals from France.
Citizens adopted a constitution, reformed local governance, and embraced Enlightenment principles of liberty and equality.
Despite its bold vision, French military setbacks and Coalition counterattacks led to Mainz’s fall later that year.
The short-lived republic influenced later German liberal movements and stands as a milestone in German political history.
1793
republic
Republic of Mainz
Andreas Joseph Hofmann
1865day.year
American Civil War: The Congress of the Confederate States adjourns for the last time.
The Confederate Congress holds its final session, effectively ending the Confederate government.
On March 18, 1865, the Congress of the Confederate States convened for the last time in Richmond, Virginia.
Facing military collapse and dwindling resources, the Confederate leadership struggled to pass vital legislation.
The adjournment underscored the imminent fall of Richmond and the nearing conclusion of the Civil War.
Members dispersed as Union forces tightened their grip on the Confederacy, leading to its surrender weeks later.
This final session marks the symbolic end of Confederate political authority and the reunification process of the United States.
1865
American Civil War
Congress of the Confederate States
1871day.year
Declaration of the Paris Commune; President of the French Republic, Adolphe Thiers, orders the evacuation of Paris.
The Paris Commune declares itself as Thiers orders government troops to evacuate the city.
On March 18, 1871, radical municipal leaders in Paris defied French government authorities and proclaimed the Paris Commune.
President Adolphe Thiers responded by ordering the evacuation of French Army units from the city, leaving Paris under Commune control.
This act initiated a brief period of self-governance marked by ambitious social reforms and political experiments.
The Commune’s radical policies included workers’ rights, secular education, and gender equality initiatives.
The uprising would end violently in May during the 'Bloody Week,' but its legacy influenced socialist and anarchist movements worldwide.
1871
Paris Commune
Adolphe Thiers
1874day.year
The Hawaiian Kingdom signs a treaty with the United States granting exclusive trade rights.
Hawaii and the United States sign a treaty granting exclusive trade privileges to American merchants.
On March 18, 1874, the Hawaiian Kingdom finalized a treaty with the United States granting exclusive commercial privileges.
American merchants secured reduced tariffs and preferential access to Hawaiian sugar and other exports.
The agreement strengthened economic ties and increased U.S. influence over the islands’ trade and politics.
Hawaiian leaders hoped the treaty would modernize their economy and ensure protection from foreign threats.
This accord set the stage for deeper political involvement by the United States and eventual annexation in 1898.
1874
Hawaiian Kingdom
trade
1902day.year
Macario Sakay issues Presidential Order No. 1 of his Tagalog Republic.
Macario Sakay proclaims the Tagalog Republic by issuing Presidential Order No. 1, challenging American colonial rule in the Philippines.
Macario Sakay, a veteran of the Philippine Revolution, proclaimed the Tagalog Republic on March 18, 1902, through Presidential Order No. 1.
This declaration asserted Filipino sovereignty amid escalating tensions with American colonial authorities.
Sakay's government aimed to continue the struggle for independence after Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States.
He established military and civic structures to govern liberated areas and rally compatriots to the cause.
Though eventually undermined by superior U.S. forces, Sakay's republic inspired future leaders and kept the flame of nationalism alive.
1902
Macario Sakay
Tagalog Republic