April 28

Events

224day.year

The Battle of Hormozdgan is fought. Ardashir I defeats and kills Artabanus V, effectively ending the Parthian Empire.

Ardashir I defeats Artabanus V at the Battle of Hormozdgan, bringing an end to the Parthian Empire.
On April 28, 224, the forces of Ardashir I overturned King Artabanus V at Hormozdgan. Utilizing superior tactics and disciplined cavalry, Ardashir secured a decisive victory. The death of Artabanus V marked the collapse of the centuries-old Parthian dynasty. This triumph allowed Ardashir I to found the Sassanian Empire, ushering in a new era in ancient Persia. The Sassanian rulers would later become Rome's formidable rivals. The battle's outcome reshaped power dynamics in the Near East.
224 Battle of Hormozdgan Ardashir I Artabanus V Parthian Empire
357day.year

Emperor Constantius II enters Rome for the first time to celebrate his victory over Magnus Magnentius.

Emperor Constantius II made his first ceremonial entry into Rome in 357 to celebrate his victory over Magnus Magnentius.
After defeating the usurper Magnus Magnentius in 353, Constantius II marched on Rome and on April 28, 357, entered the city in triumph. The event marked his first personal appearance in the traditional capital since becoming sole emperor. Lavish celebrations and public games were staged to honor his victory and reinforce his legitimacy. The spectacle served as powerful propaganda to unite the populace behind his reign. Despite the shift of imperial administration toward Constantinople, Rome remained a symbolic heart of the empire. This grand entrance underscored the enduring prestige of the Eternal City.
357 Constantius II Rome Magnus Magnentius
1192day.year

Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I), King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title to the throne is confirmed by election. The killing is carried out by Hashshashin.

King Conrad of Montferrat was assassinated by agents of the Hashshashin in Tyre just days after his election as King of Jerusalem in 1192.
Two days after his election as King of Jerusalem, Conrad of Montferrat was ambushed and killed by agents of the Hashshashin on April 28, 1192, in the city of Tyre. The secretive Nizari order targeted him as part of their wider campaign against perceived enemies. Conrad’s demise threw the Crusader leadership into disarray during the critical period of the Third Crusade. His military prowess and diplomatic skills had been instrumental in defending the Kingdom of Jerusalem against Saladin. The assassination highlighted the reach and ruthlessness of the Hashshashin network. Historians regard this event as a dramatic turning point that influenced subsequent crusader politics.
1192 Conrad of Montferrat King of Jerusalem Tyre Hashshashin
1253day.year

Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk, propounds Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō for the first time and declares it to be the essence of Buddhism, in effect founding Nichiren Buddhism.

Nichiren declared Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō as the essence of Buddhism, founding Nichiren Buddhism in 1253.
Standing by the seashore on April 28, 1253, the Japanese monk Nichiren proclaimed the chant Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō to be the true essence of the Lotus Sutra. This declaration laid the foundation for what would become Nichiren Buddhism. Nichiren emphasized direct faith and devotion, rejecting practices he saw as corrupt. His teachings challenged the religious establishment of his day and attracted both followers and opponents. Despite periods of exile and persecution, his doctrine endured through dedicated disciples. Nichiren Buddhism later spread beyond Japan and remains a vibrant tradition within Mahayana Buddhism.
1253 Nichiren Buddhist Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō Nichiren Buddhism
1294day.year

Temür, grandson of Kublai, is elected Khagan of the Mongols with the reigning title Oljeitu.

Temür, grandson of Kublai Khan, was enthroned as Khagan of the Mongols under the title Oljeitu in 1294.
On April 28, 1294, Temür, the grandson of Kublai Khan, was elected Khagan of the Mongol Empire and assumed the regnal name Oljeitu. His selection by the Mongol princes ensured continuity of the Yuan dynasty’s rule across China and the steppes. Temür inherited an empire spanning from Eastern Europe to the Pacific, yet one marked by administrative challenges and regional tensions. He favored Confucian scholars in his court and sought to blend Mongol military traditions with Chinese bureaucratic institutions. Under his leadership, trade along the Silk Road was maintained, fostering cultural exchanges between East and West. Although lacking Kublai’s military triumphs, Oljeitu’s reign was characterized by relative stability and consolidation.
1294 Temür Kublai Khagan Mongols
1503day.year

The Battle of Cerignola is fought. It is noted as one of the first European battles in history won by small arms fire using gunpowder.

Spanish forces won one of the first recorded European battles decided by gunpowder small arms at Cerignola in 1503.
On April 28, 1503, Spanish troops under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba confronted a French army near the town of Cerignola in southern Italy. Employing a strategic combination of arquebusiers and pikemen, the Spanish defenders repelled repeated French cavalry charges. Historians often cite this engagement as the first significant European battle won through the use of gunpowder infantry. The decisive firepower advantage signaled a transformation in military tactics across the continent. Fernández de Córdoba’s innovations laid the groundwork for modern warfare formations. The victory at Cerignola solidified Spanish influence in the Italian Wars and heralded the dominance of firearms in battle.
1503 Battle of Cerignola gunpowder
1611day.year

Establishment of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines and the largest Catholic university in the world.

The University of Santo Tomas, the world's largest Catholic university, was established in the Philippines in 1611.
On April 28, 1611, Spanish Dominican friars founded the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Manila. Recognized today as the oldest existing university in Asia, it also holds the title of the largest Catholic institution of higher learning. Originally dedicated to theology and philosophy studies, the university gradually expanded its academic offerings to include medicine, law, and the sciences. Over centuries, it has produced notable leaders, scholars, and national heroes. Its campus, adorned with Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, reflects its rich colonial heritage. UST remains a premier center for education and cultural life in the Philippines.
1611 University of Santo Tomas Catholic university
1625day.year

A combined Spanish and Portuguese fleet of 52 ships commences the recapture of Bahia from the Dutch during the Dutch–Portuguese War.

A joint Spanish-Portuguese fleet began the campaign to recapture Bahia from the Dutch in 1625.
On April 28, 1625, fifty-two ships from Spain and Portugal set sail to retake the strategic Brazilian port of Salvador da Bahia from Dutch control. This operation was part of the larger Dutch–Portuguese War over lucrative sugar-producing colonies. Coordinated amphibious assaults and naval blockades caught the Dutch garrison off guard. Within weeks, the allied forces succeeded in recapturing the city and restoring Iberian authority in the region. The victory secured a key foothold for Portugal in South America and weakened Dutch ambitions. It stands as a remarkable example of early seventeenth-century colonial warfare.
1625 Spanish Portuguese recapture of Bahia Dutch–Portuguese War
1758day.year

The Marathas defeat the Afghans in the Battle of Attock and capture the city.

The Maratha Confederacy defeated Afghan forces and captured the fortress at Attock in 1758.
On April 28, 1758, Maratha commanders Raghunathrao and Malhar Rao Holkar led their forces to victory over Afghan troops at the Battle of Attock along the Indus River. The defeat of the Durrani Empire’s garrison allowed the Marathas to seize the strategic fortress city. This success extended Maratha influence into the northwestern frontier of the Indian subcontinent. The operation showcased the Marathas’ effective cavalry tactics and logistical capabilities. The capture of Attock opened new trade routes and military pathways. Although later reversals curtailed their expansion, the battle marked the high-water point of Maratha power.
1758 Marathas Afghans
1788day.year

Maryland becomes the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution.

Maryland ratified the U.S. Constitution as the seventh state on April 28, 1788.
On April 28, 1788, Maryland's convention in Annapolis approved the United States Constitution, making it the seventh state to join the new federal union. Delegates debated key issues such as representation, taxation powers, and the balance between state and national authority. Maryland’s ratification contributed momentum toward the document’s adoption by the necessary nine states. The decision reflected the state's support for a stronger central government while preserving state sovereignty. Ratification ceremonies included public readings and celebrations in Baltimore and Annapolis. Maryland’s early endorsement helped legitimize the constitutional framework that governs the United States to this day.
1788 Maryland United States Constitution
1789day.year

Mutiny on the Bounty: Lieutenant William Bligh and 18 sailors are set adrift, and the rebel crew returns to Tahiti briefly before setting sail for Pitcairn Island.

Lieutenant William Bligh and his loyal sailors were cast adrift by the rebellious crew, who briefly returned to Tahiti before sailing to Pitcairn Island.
On April 28, 1789, Fletcher Christian and disaffected crewmen seized HMS Bounty in an infamous mutiny against Lieutenant William Bligh. They cast Bligh and 18 loyal sailors adrift in a small boat with limited provisions. Despite overwhelming odds, Bligh navigated over 3,600 nautical miles to safety at Timor. Meanwhile, the mutineers returned briefly to Tahiti before seeking refuge on Pitcairn Island. Their decision established one of the most remote and enduring settlements on earth. The saga became legendary, inspiring books, films, and scholarly debate over leadership and loyalty.
1789 Mutiny on the Bounty William Bligh Tahiti Pitcairn Island
1792day.year

France invades the Austrian Netherlands (present day Belgium and Luxembourg), beginning the French Revolutionary Wars.

French Revolutionary forces invaded the Austrian Netherlands, marking the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars.
On April 28, 1792, forces of the French Republic crossed into the Austrian Netherlands, stamping the official start of the French Revolutionary Wars. The invasion aimed to spread revolutionary ideals and secure France's borders. Austrian troops were caught off guard by the sudden incursion. Skirmishes erupted near key towns such as Mons and Namur. This campaign signaled a shift in European power dynamics and sparked a decade of widespread conflict. The war profoundly reshaped political landscapes across the continent.
1792 Austrian Netherlands French Revolutionary Wars