240day.year
Shapur I becomes co-emperor of the Sasanian Empire with his father Ardashir I.
In 240, Shapur I is appointed co-emperor of the Sasanian Empire alongside his father Ardashir I, solidifying the dynasty's succession.
Shapur I, the eldest son of Ardashir I, was formally invested as co-emperor of the Sasanian Empire in 240.
This act ensured a smooth succession within the rising Persian dynasty.
By sharing power with his father, Shapur I gained military and administrative experience early in his reign.
The co-emperorship reflected Ardashir's strategy to reinforce dynastic legitimacy.
Under their joint rule, the Sasanians consolidated territories previously held by the Parthians.
Shapur I would later lead successful campaigns against Roman provinces in the east and west.
His reign is celebrated for territorial expansion and cultural patronage.
This power-sharing arrangement laid the foundation for Sasanian prominence in the late antique period.
240
Shapur I
Sasanian Empire
Ardashir I
467day.year
Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
In 467, Anthemius is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire, positioning him at the center of late imperial politics.
In 467, Anthemius was elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire by the Eastern Emperor Leo I.
His appointment aimed to strengthen imperial authority amid internal strife and barbarian threats.
Anthemius struggled to balance the influence of the powerful magister militum Ricimer.
His tenure saw ongoing conflicts with the Vandals in North Africa.
Despite hopes for stability, his reign ended in revolt and his eventual assassination in 472.
Anthemius is often regarded as one of the last capable Western Roman emperors.
His rule highlights the fragile state of the empire during its final decades.
The political machinations of this period foreshadowed the eventual collapse of Western Roman authority.
467
Anthemius
Emperor of the Western Roman Empire
1012day.year
Duke Oldřich of Bohemia deposes and blinds his brother Jaromír, who flees to Poland.
In 1012, Duke Oldřich of Bohemia seizes power by deposing and blinding his brother Jaromír, who escapes to Poland.
In 1012, Duke Oldřich of Bohemia orchestrated a coup against his brother Jaromír, seizing ducal power.
Oldřich’s forces captured Jaromír and cruelly blinded him to prevent any challenge to his rule.
Jaromír escaped captivity and sought refuge at the Polish court.
This fratricidal conflict reflected broader struggles among Slavic principalities.
Oldřich solidified his authority by forging alliances with neighboring rulers.
His reign is noted for administrative reforms and territorial consolidation.
The incident underscored the violent nature of succession disputes in medieval Europe.
It left a lasting imprint on Bohemian dynastic history.
1012
Oldřich of Bohemia
Jaromír
Poland
1606day.year
The Union Flag is adopted as the flag of English and Scottish ships.
In 1606, the Union Flag is formally adopted to represent English and Scottish ships at sea.
In 1606, the Union Flag was officially adopted as the maritime ensign for English and Scottish ships.
The design combined the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew to symbolize the crowns’ union.
Introduced under James VI and I, the flag represented a political union of two kingdoms under one monarch.
It standardized naval colors at a time when maritime power was central to national security.
The flag’s design would later be modified to include Ireland’s patron saint.
Today, the Union Flag remains one of the oldest national flags still in use.
Its early adoption marked a milestone in British maritime history.
The emblem became a potent symbol of emerging British identity.
1606
Union Flag
English
Scottish
1776day.year
American Revolution: With the Halifax Resolves, the North Carolina Provincial Congress authorizes its Congressional delegation to vote for independence from Britain.
In 1776, North Carolina adopts the Halifax Resolves, empowering its delegates to support American independence from Britain.
In 1776, the North Carolina Provincial Congress passed the Halifax Resolves, the first official colonial authorized call for American independence.
Delegates were empowered to vote for separation from Britain at the Continental Congress.
This bold step galvanized other colonies toward unified action against British rule.
The Resolves signaled a shift from reformist petitions to outright demands for sovereignty.
North Carolina’s move set a precedent that influenced the Virginia and Rhode Island resolutions.
It demonstrated growing colonial unity and commitment to self-governance.
The Halifax document is celebrated today as a pioneering assertion of independence.
It paved the way for the Declaration of Independence two months later.
1776
American Revolution
Halifax Resolves
North Carolina Provincial Congress
Congressional
1820day.year
Alexander Ypsilantis is declared leader of Filiki Eteria, a secret organization to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece.
In 1820, Alexander Ypsilantis was proclaimed leader of Filiki Eteria, a clandestine society committed to liberating Greece from Ottoman rule.
In April 1820, Alexander Ypsilantis assumed leadership of the Filiki Eteria, a secret fraternity committed to overthrowing Ottoman dominance in the Greek territories. The organization operated covertly across Europe, rallying support among expatriate Greeks and philhellenes. Under Ypsilantis's command, Filiki Eteria laid the groundwork for the Greek War of Independence. His appointment marked a turning point in the mounting resistance against centuries of foreign occupation. Despite operating under the watchful eyes of imperial powers, the society secretly coordinated uprisings and disseminated revolutionary propaganda. Ypsilantis later led an ill-fated expedition into the Danubian Principalities, which nevertheless sparked widespread rebellion in the southern Greek mainland. This event is widely regarded as the catalyst for the official outbreak of the Greek struggle for autonomy in 1821.
1820
Alexander Ypsilantis
Filiki Eteria
Ottoman
1877day.year
The United Kingdom annexes the Transvaal.
The United Kingdom annexed the South African republic of the Transvaal in 1877.
On April 12, 1877, British forces formally annexed the Transvaal, a Boer republic in southern Africa rich in mineral resources. Governor Sir Theophilus Shepstone declared the territory a British colony, citing the need to stabilize governance after internal unrest and Boer factionalism. The annexation ended the republic's independence but laid the groundwork for the discovery of gold and diamonds that would transform the region's economy. Boer residents resisted, leading to tensions that ultimately sparked the First Boer War in 1880. Britain's move reflected imperial ambitions and strategic interests in controlling southern Africa's lucrative trade routes. The events in Transvaal exemplify the era's colonial expansion and resource-driven geopolitics. Today, the annexation is seen as a pivotal moment in South African history, setting the stage for future conflicts and the rise of apartheid-era policies.
1877
United Kingdom
Transvaal
1900day.year
One day after its enactment by the Congress, President William McKinley signs the Foraker Act into law, giving Puerto Rico limited self-rule.
President McKinley signs the Foraker Act, establishing limited self-government for Puerto Rico in 1900.
On April 12, 1900, President William McKinley enacted the Foraker Act, a congressional statute granting Puerto Rico limited civilian government under U.S. oversight. The act created a governor and executive council appointed by the United States, alongside an elected legislative assembly for Puerto Rican residents. It established customs regulations and set the framework for civil rights and judicial processes on the island. Though falling short of full autonomy, the Foraker Act represented a significant shift from military rule following the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans gained a measure of political participation, laying the foundation for future debates on citizenship and statehood. Over time, the act influenced the island's legal status and its relationship with the continental United States. The legislation remains a milestone in Puerto Rico's ongoing quest for self-determination.
1900
Congress
William McKinley
Foraker Act
Puerto Rico
self-rule
1927day.year
Shanghai massacre of 1927: Chiang Kai-shek orders the Chinese Communist Party members executed in Shanghai, ending the First United Front.
In 1927, Chiang Kai-shek orders a brutal purge of Communist Party members in Shanghai, effectively ending the First United Front.
On April 12, 1927, Chiang Kai-shek's forces launched a ruthless operation to eliminate key members of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai. This violent purge shattered the fragile alliance of the First United Front and deepened the rift between Nationalists and Communists. Nationalist troops and allied gangs swept the streets, arresting and executing suspected sympathizers. Hundreds of lives were lost or ruined in the chaos, fueling grievances that sparked the ensuing Chinese Civil War. The Shanghai Massacre marked a turning point in modern Chinese history, setting the stage for decades of conflict.
1927
Shanghai massacre of 1927
Chiang Kai-shek
Chinese Communist Party
First United Front
1945day.year
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies in office; Vice President Harry S. Truman becomes President upon Roosevelt's death.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies in office and Harry S. Truman is sworn in as President on April 12, 1945.
On April 12, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffered a fatal stroke at his retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia, ending his unprecedented four-term tenure. His death came as World War II was reaching its climax, with Allied forces pressing into Germany. Vice President Harry S. Truman was swiftly sworn in as the 33rd President of the United States. Truman inherited the monumental responsibility of guiding the nation through the war's final phases and shaping the postwar order. Roosevelt's leadership had steered the country through the Great Depression and most of the global conflict. The sudden transition underscored the importance of continuity in leadership during crisis.
1945
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
1980day.year
The Americo-Liberian government of Liberia is violently deposed.
A violent coup deposes Liberia's Americo-Liberian government, ending a century of rule.
On April 12, 1980, Master Sergeant Samuel Doe led a violent coup in Liberia, overthrowing the Americo-Liberian government that had dominated the country for over a century. President William R. Tolbert Jr. was killed during the uprising, marking a dramatic shift in the nation’s political order. The coup was fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with economic inequality and perceived corruption among the ruling elite. Doe’s seizure of power ended the political monopoly of descendants of freed American slaves and introduced a new era of military rule. The event set the stage for years of instability that would eventually escalate into Liberia’s brutal civil wars.
1980
violently deposed
1983day.year
Harold Washington is elected as the first black mayor of Chicago.
Harold Washington is elected as Chicago's first black mayor in a historic victory.
On April 12, 1983, Harold Washington won the Chicago mayoral election, becoming the city's first African American mayor. His campaign emphasized unity, reform, and improved housing and services for underserved communities. Washington’s victory broke the power of Chicago’s long-standing political machine, which had been dominated by white ethnic groups. During his tenure, he worked to increase minority representation in city government and push through progressive reforms. Washington’s election is remembered as a significant milestone in civil rights and the political history of Chicago.
1983
Harold Washington
Chicago