311day.year
The Diocletianic Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire ends.
In 311, the Diocletianic Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire officially ends with the emperor’s edict, bringing relief after years of violent suppression.
The Diocletianic Persecution, initiated in 303 under Emperor Diocletian, was the Roman Empire’s last and most severe campaign against Christians. In 311, Emperor Galerius issued the Edict of Serdica (also called the Edict of Toleration), formally ending official persecution and restoring property to Christian communities. This marked a turning point in the history of Christianity, allowing followers to worship openly and rebuild their institutions. The edict paved the way for the religion’s eventual acceptance and the rise of Constantine’s pro-Christian policies. After decades of clandestine worship and martyrdom, Christians could again practice their faith without fear of imperial sanction. The end of the persecution set the foundation for Christianity to flourish throughout the Roman world.
311
Diocletianic Persecution
Roman Empire
1315day.year
Enguerrand de Marigny is hanged at the instigation of Charles, Count of Valois.
In 1315, French royal official Enguerrand de Marigny is executed on the orders of Charles, Count of Valois, amid fierce court rivalries.
Enguerrand de Marigny rose from humble beginnings to become chamberlain and chief minister under King Philip IV of France. Accused of financial mismanagement and cruelty, he fell out of favor with influential nobles, including Charles of Valois, brother of the king. In April 1315, Marigny was arrested, tried for alleged embezzlement and treason, and ultimately hanged at Montfaucon in Paris. His dramatic fall from power highlighted the volatile nature of medieval French politics and the intense factionalism at court. The execution sent a clear message about the dangers of royal disfavor and the ambitions of the Valois faction. Marigny’s wealth and influence were seized by the crown, reshaping the balance of power among the nobility.
1315
Enguerrand de Marigny
Charles, Count of Valois
1492day.year
Spain gives Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration. He is named admiral of the ocean sea, viceroy and governor of any territory he discovers.
In 1492, the Spanish Crown commissions Christopher Columbus as Admiral of the Ocean Sea and grants him viceroyalty over any lands he may discover.
After years of negotiation, Christopher Columbus secured support from Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II of Spain for his westward voyage. On April 30, 1492, he received formal letters patent at the Alcázar of Córdoba, establishing his titles as Admiral of the Ocean Sea, Viceroy and Governor of new territories. These privileges promised Columbus a share of profits and authority over any lands he found during his expedition. The commission marked the start of an ambitious maritime venture aimed at finding a direct sea route to Asia. Columbus’s fleet departed from Palos de la Frontera later that year, ultimately making landfall in the Bahamas and opening the Age of Discovery. His appointment reshaped European engagement with the Americas and altered global trade and geopolitics.
1492
Christopher Columbus
1513day.year
Edmund de la Pole, Yorkist pretender to the English throne, is executed on the orders of Henry VIII.
In 1513, Yorkist claimant Edmund de la Pole is executed by order of King Henry VIII, eliminating a rival to the Tudor dynasty.
Edmund de la Pole, the younger brother of the executed Earl of Suffolk, carried the Yorkist claim to the English throne after the fall of Richard III. Having sought refuge at the Burgundian court, he returned to England under a promise of safety, only to be imprisoned in the Tower of London. In April 1513, Henry VIII declared him guilty of high treason and ordered his execution, viewing the pretender as a threat to his nascent reign. De la Pole was beheaded on Tower Hill, and his titles and estates were forfeited to the crown. The execution solidified Henry’s hold on the throne and deterred other Yorkist conspiracies. It underscored the harsh measures Tudor monarchs employed to secure their legitimacy.
1513
Edmund de la Pole
Henry VIII
1598day.year
Juan de Oñate begins the conquest of Santa Fe de Nuevo México.
In 1598, Spanish explorer Juan de Oñate embarks on an expedition to claim and conquer Santa Fe de Nuevo México for the Spanish Crown.
Juan de Oñate, appointed by the Viceroy of New Spain, set out with settlers, soldiers, and missionaries to extend Spanish rule into the American Southwest. Landing near present-day El Paso, he led a column northward, engaging with various Indigenous Pueblo communities. The campaign aimed to establish Spanish settlements, spread Christianity, and extract tribute. After a long journey across harsh desert terrain, Oñate’s forces reached the Rio Grande valley, where they founded the colony of San Juan on June 22, 1598. His march set the stage for the formation of New Mexico as a Spanish province. The expedition also marked the beginning of conflict and cultural exchanges between Europeans and Indigenous peoples.
1598
Juan de Oñate
Santa Fe de Nuevo México
1598day.year
Henry IV of France issues the Edict of Nantes, allowing freedom of religion to the Huguenots.
In 1598, King Henry IV of France issues the Edict of Nantes, granting religious tolerance to Protestants after decades of religious wars.
To end the devastating French Wars of Religion between Catholics and Huguenots, Henry IV promulgated the Edict of Nantes on April 30, 1598. It guaranteed Huguenots civil rights, freedom of worship in specified regions, and equal access to public office and education. The edict also allowed them to maintain fortified towns for their protection. While preserving Catholicism as the state religion, it established a framework for coexistence and reduced sectarian violence. This groundbreaking decree fostered economic recovery by attracting skilled Protestant artisans and merchants. Although later revoked by Louis XIV in 1685, the Edict of Nantes remains a landmark in the history of religious tolerance and human rights.
Henry IV of France
Edict of Nantes
freedom of religion
Huguenots
1636day.year
Eighty Years' War: Dutch Republic forces recapture a strategically important fort from Spain after a nine-month siege.
In 1636, during the Eighty Years' War, Dutch forces recapture a vital fort from Spanish control after besieging it for nine months.
The Eighty Years’ War, fought for Dutch independence from Spanish rule, saw key engagements such as the 1635–1636 siege of the unnamed fort along the Scheldt River. Dutch commanders, backed by citizen militias and allied Protestant states, encircled the fortress in mid-1635. After months of bombardment, trench warfare, and cutting off supplies, Spanish defenders surrendered on April 30, 1636. The capture secured Dutch access to important waterways and protected vital trade routes. This victory bolstered the Republic’s strategic position and demonstrated its growing military prowess. It also encouraged further alliances against Habsburg Spain, accelerating the decline of Spanish influence in the Low Countries.
1636
Eighty Years' War
Dutch Republic
a nine-month siege
1789day.year
On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first President of the United States.
On April 30, 1789, George Washington is sworn in as the first President of the United States on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City.
Following the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the fledgling nation held its first presidential inauguration in New York City. On the balcony of Federal Hall overlooking Wall Street, Washington took the oath of office administered by Chancellor Robert R. Livingston. Addressing a large crowd of citizens and dignitaries, he pledged to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. His inauguration marked the peaceful transition to a federal government under the new republican system. Washington’s presidency set many precedents, including the two-term limit and the establishment of a cabinet. This ceremony symbolized unity and hope for the young republic.
1789
Federal Hall
Wall Street
George Washington
oath of office
President of the United States
1803day.year
Louisiana Purchase: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, more than doubling the size of the young nation.
In 1803, the United States completes the Louisiana Purchase, acquiring vast territory from France and doubling its size for $15 million.
Negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson’s administration, the Louisiana Purchase treaty was signed on April 30, 1803. The U.S. bought approximately 827,000 square miles of land from Napoleon Bonaparte’s France, securing control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. The deal cost $15 million—around four cents per acre—and dramatically expanded the country westward. It fueled the spirit of Manifest Destiny and opened the frontier to exploration and settlement, notably by Lewis and Clark. The purchase also raised constitutional questions about federal authority to acquire new territories. Ultimately, it reshaped the geopolitical landscape of North America and laid the groundwork for the nation’s continental growth.
1803
Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Territory
1812day.year
The Territory of Orleans becomes the 18th U.S. state under the name Louisiana.
On April 30, 1812, the Territory of Orleans is admitted as the 18th U.S. state, becoming the state of Louisiana.
Following the Louisiana Purchase, Congress organized the southern portion of the territory as the Territory of Orleans. On April 30, 1812, it met the requirements for statehood—such as population thresholds and a republican constitution—and was admitted to the Union as Louisiana. The new state retained its unique French and Spanish legal traditions, reflected in land rights and civil law. Baton Rouge was later chosen as the capital, and a diverse population of Creoles, Acadians, Africans, and Native Americans shaped its culture. Louisiana’s statehood solidified U.S. control of the Gulf Coast and influenced the balance of power between free and slave states. It also expanded the reach of American governance and commerce inland.
1812
Territory of Orleans
U.S. state
Louisiana
1838day.year
Nicaragua declares independence from the Central American Federation.
In 1838, Nicaragua formally withdrew from the Central American Federation, marking its emergence as an independent republic.
In the early 19th century, the United Provinces of Central America attempted to unite its member states into a single federation. Internal divisions and regional rivalries, however, undermined this union. On April 30, 1838, Nicaragua declared its independence, establishing its own sovereign government. This decision hastened the collapse of the Central American Federation and reshaped the political landscape of the region. Nicaragua's move set the stage for its future development and influenced the course of Central American history.
1838
Nicaragua
Central American Federation
1863day.year
A 65-man French Foreign Legion infantry patrol fights a force of nearly 2,000 Mexican soldiers to nearly the last man in Hacienda Camarón, Mexico.
In 1863, a 65-man French Foreign Legion patrol fought nearly 2,000 Mexican soldiers at Hacienda Camarón, Mexico, exemplifying fierce resistance against overwhelming odds.
As part of the French intervention in Mexico, a small detachment of Legionnaires found itself besieged at Hacienda Camarón. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the 65-man patrol held its ground in a desperate fight for survival. The battle lasted for several hours, with both sides suffering significant casualties. Although most of the French troops were killed or captured, their valor became legendary within the Legion. The engagement inspired the Legion's enduring motto and traditions. To this day, the heroism displayed at Camarón remains a defining moment in French military history.
1863
French Foreign Legion
Hacienda Camarón