451day.year
Attila the Hun captures Metz in France, killing most of its inhabitants and burning the town.
In 451, Attila the Hun’s forces captured the city of Metz in Gaul, slaughtering most of its inhabitants and burning the settlement to the ground.
Attila the Hun’s siege of Metz in 451 AD was a pivotal moment in his campaign across Roman Gaul. His formidable cavalry and infantry overwhelmed the city’s walls and defenses. Once inside, his forces enacted a brutal sack, killing most of the inhabitants and setting fire to buildings. The devastation of Metz struck fear into neighboring provinces and demonstrated the weakening grip of the Western Roman Empire. This event solidified Attila’s reputation as the scourge of Europe. The fall of Metz also disrupted local administration and trade routes, contributing to the broader decline of Roman authority in the region.
451
Attila the Hun
Metz
France
529day.year
First Corpus Juris Civilis, a fundamental work in jurisprudence, is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I.
In 529, Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I promulgated the Corpus Juris Civilis, a comprehensive codification of Roman law that became the foundation of modern civil law traditions.
Emperor Justinian I ordered a commission of legal scholars to consolidate centuries of imperial constitutions, juristic writings, and legal opinions into a coherent whole. The result was the Corpus Juris Civilis, consisting of the Code (Codex), Digest (Pandects), Institutes, and later the Novellae. This monumental work clarified and standardized Roman legal principles across the empire. It preserved classical jurisprudence and influenced legal systems throughout medieval and modern Europe. Its systematic approach to statutes and legal interpretation laid the groundwork for the civil law tradition still used today.
529
Corpus Juris Civilis
jurisprudence
Eastern Roman Emperor
Justinian I
1141day.year
Empress Matilda becomes the first female ruler of England, adopting the title "Lady of the English".
In 1141, Empress Matilda became the first female ruler of England during the civil war known as The Anarchy, adopting the title "Lady of the English."
Following a protracted succession crisis after the death of her father, King Henry I, Matilda pressed her claim to the English throne against her cousin Stephen. With the support of her half-brother Robert of Gloucester and other allies, she took control of several key castles and territories. In April 1141, Matilda was officially declared 'Lady of the English' and held court in Winchester. Her reign was marked by fierce battles, shifting allegiances, and political maneuvering during The Anarchy. Although she never secured a coronation, her struggle paved the way for her son Henry II to ascend the throne. Matilda’s challenge to the male-dominated succession set a precedent for royal authority in medieval Europe.
1141
Empress Matilda
1348day.year
Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV charters Prague University.
In 1348, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV chartered the founding of Prague University, marking the first university in Central Europe.
Chartered by Emperor Charles IV, the University of Prague was the first institution of higher learning in Central and Eastern Europe. It quickly grew into a prestigious center for theology, law, medicine, and the arts. The university attracted scholars and students from across the continent, fostering intellectual exchange and cultural development. Its foundation helped establish Prague as a major political and academic hub within the Holy Roman Empire. The university’s structure influenced the model of later European universities. Today, it stands as Charles University, one of the oldest continually operating universities in the world.
1348
Charles IV
Prague University
1449day.year
Felix V abdicates his claim to the papacy, ending the reign of the final Antipope.
In 1449, Felix V abdicated his claim to the papacy, bringing an end to the schism of multiple claimants and the era of Antipopes.
Felix V, elected by the Council of Basel as a rival to Pope Eugene IV, held his claim to the papal throne during the late phase of the Western Schism. His abdication in April 1449 ended decades of division within the Catholic Church and paved the way for reconciliation. The step underscored the authority of the Roman pontiff and the futility of conciliar claims to supreme ecclesiastical power. The end of the antipapacy restored unity to Christendom and strengthened the centralized papal hierarchy. Felix, once known as Amadeus VIII of Savoy, returned to his former titles and estates. His resignation remains the last recorded case of an antipope relinquishing his claim.
1449
Felix V
papacy
Antipope
1521day.year
Ferdinand Magellan arrives at Cebu.
In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reached the island of Cebu in the Philippines during his circumnavigation voyage, initiating contact with the local Rajahnate.
During his historic expedition to circle the globe under the Spanish flag, Magellan’s fleet made landfall at Cebu after crossing the Indian Ocean and navigating the Strait of Magellan. He and his crew were greeted by Rajah Humabon, who formed an alliance and facilitated the first baptism of local inhabitants into Christianity. This encounter marked the beginning of Spanish influence in the Philippine archipelago. Magellan’s stay included negotiations, exchanges of gifts, and discussions on religion and trade. Although he would later meet his demise at the Battle of Mactan, his arrival in Cebu set the stage for over three centuries of Spanish colonial rule. The port of Cebu subsequently became a vital hub for galleon trade in the region.
1521
Ferdinand Magellan
Cebu
1541day.year
Francis Xavier leaves Lisbon on a mission to the Portuguese East Indies.
In 1541, Francis Xavier departed Lisbon on his mission to the Portuguese East Indies, embarking on one of the earliest and most influential Jesuit missionary journeys.
As a co-founder of the Society of Jesus, Francis Xavier set sail from Lisbon aboard a Portuguese carrack destined for India and the Spice Islands. His mission aimed to spread Catholicism and establish schools and churches in Asia. He traveled through Goa, Malacca, and the Moluccas, learning local languages and customs to better engage with indigenous peoples. Xavier’s zeal and adaptability led to thousands of conversions and the foundation of Christian communities across the East Indies. His letters home detailed the challenges of travel, climate, and cultural barriers. Xavier’s work laid the groundwork for future Jesuit missions and left a lasting impact on Christianity in Asia.
1541
Francis Xavier
Lisbon
Portuguese East Indies
1724day.year
Premiere performance of Bach's St John Passion, BWV 245, at St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig.
On April 7, 1724, Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion, BWV 245, premiered at St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig, showcasing his mastery of sacred music.
Commissioned for Good Friday services, the St John Passion was Bach’s first major liturgical composition in Leipzig. Drawing on the Gospel of John and chorales, the work blends dramatic arias, choral depictions, and theological reflection. Its rich orchestration and expressive vocal lines engage listeners in the narrative of Christ’s crucifixion. The premiere performance at St. Nicholas Church introduced a new standard for passion settings in the Baroque era. Though initially limited to Leipzig, the piece later gained acclaim across Europe as a masterpiece of sacred music. Today, it remains a staple of the choral repertoire and a testament to Bach’s spiritual and musical depth.
1724
St John Passion
BWV
St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig
1767day.year
End of Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767).
On April 7, 1767, the Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767) officially ended, with Burmese forces withdrawing after sacking Ayutthaya.
The protracted conflict saw the Burmese Konbaung dynasty launch invasions into Siam, culminating in the capture and razing of Ayutthaya, the Siamese capital. After years of siege warfare, supply shortages, and political upheaval, Burmese forces agreed to withdraw following diplomatic negotiations. The war’s devastation led to the fall of Ayutthaya and a period of Siamese fragmentation. This downfall paved the way for the establishment of the Thonburi Kingdom under King Taksin, who would reunify Siamese territories. The conclusion of hostilities reshaped power dynamics in Mainland Southeast Asia. The war’s legacy influenced Siamese state formation and Burmese-Siamese relations for decades.
1767
Burmese–Siamese War (1765–1767)
1788day.year
Settlers establish Marietta, Ohio, the first permanent settlement created by U.S. citizens in the recently organized Northwest Territory.
In 1788, American settlers founded Marietta in the Northwest Territory, establishing the first permanent U.S. civilian settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains.
Marietta, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, was planned by the Ohio Company of Associates as a model community. Pioneers built homes, fortifications, and a rudimentary government grounded in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The settlement served as a launch point for westward expansion and commerce along the Ohio River. It also established precedents for land surveys and town governance in new territories. Despite challenges from the frontier environment and Indigenous resistance, Marietta thrived and attracted new migrants. The town’s founding symbolized the young republic’s ambitions and the vision of Manifest Destiny.
1788
Settlers
Marietta, Ohio
U.S. citizens
Northwest Territory
1790day.year
Russo-Turkish war (1787–1792): Greek privateer Lambros Katsonis loses three of his ships in the Battle of Andros.
In 1790 during the Russo-Turkish War, Greek privateer Lambros Katsonis suffered a defeat at the Battle of Andros and lost three of his ships.
In April 1790, Greek naval commander Lambros Katsonis engaged Ottoman forces in the Aegean Sea as part of the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792. Katsonis, backed by Russian support, had disrupted Ottoman shipping and raided coastal towns. On this day, his fleet encountered Ottoman vessels near the island of Andros. The ensuing battle proved costly as Katsonis lost three of his ships, weakening his privateer fleet. Despite this setback, he continued to harass Ottoman supply lines in subsequent years. The battle exemplified the broader naval struggle between Russia and the Ottoman Empire for control of the Black Sea and Mediterranean trade routes. Katsonis’s daring raids had significant political and military implications, stirring Greek hopes for liberation under foreign patronage.
1790
Russo-Turkish war (1787–1792)
Lambros Katsonis
Battle of Andros
1795day.year
The French First Republic adopts the kilogram and gram as its primary unit of mass.
In 1795, the French First Republic officially adopted the kilogram and gram as the primary units of mass, laying the foundation for the metric system.
In the aftermath of the French Revolution, the National Convention sought to standardize measurements across the nation in pursuit of rationality and fairness. On April 7, 1795, the French First Republic decreed the adoption of the kilogram and gram as the official units of mass. This reform abolished the myriad of local weight standards that had long hindered trade and science. The kilogram was defined based on the mass of a cubic decimeter of water, an innovative approach grounded in natural constants. The move marked a major milestone in the establishment of the metric system, which would later spread internationally. Standardized measures facilitated clearer communication in commerce, engineering, and scientific research. Today, the kilogram remains the base unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI), reflecting the enduring legacy of this revolutionary decree.
1795
French First Republic
kilogram
gram