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
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
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
1885day.year
Governor of New York David B. Hill signs legislation creating the Niagara Reservation, New York's first state park, ensuring that Niagara Falls will not be devoted solely to industrial and commercial use.
In 1885, New York Governor David B. Hill signed legislation creating the Niagara Reservation, the state's first park, to protect Niagara Falls from industrial development.
During the late 19th century, observers feared that Niagara Falls would be consumed by commercial exploitation and hydroelectric projects. On April 30, 1885, Governor David B. Hill enacted legislation establishing the Niagara Reservation as New York's inaugural state park. This pioneering move ensured the preservation of the falls and surrounding landscapes for public enjoyment. It also sparked an early conservation movement, influencing park creation across the United States. The Niagara Reservation set a precedent for balancing natural wonder with responsible stewardship. Today, it remains a cherished landmark and a testament to early environmental advocacy.
1885
Governor of New York
David B. Hill
Niagara Reservation
Niagara Falls
1900day.year
Hawaii becomes a territory of the United States, with Sanford B. Dole as governor.
On April 30, 1900, Hawaii officially became a U.S. territory with Sanford B. Dole appointed as its first governor.
Following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, annexation of the islands by the United States was debated for years. The Organic Act of 1900 formally organized the Territory of Hawaii and extended U.S. laws to the islands. Sanford B. Dole, a key figure in Hawaiian politics, was named the territory's first governor. The new territorial status granted American citizenship to residents while altering land and governance structures. Native Hawaiian communities faced significant cultural and political changes under the new administration. This milestone marked a pivotal step toward Hawaii's eventual statehood in 1959.
1900
Hawaii
territory
Sanford B. Dole
governor
1927day.year
The Federal Industrial Institute for Women opens in Alderson, West Virginia, as the first women's federal prison in the United States.
On April 30, 1927, the Federal Industrial Institute for Women opened in Alderson, West Virginia, becoming the first women's federal prison in the United States.
Recognizing the need for separate facilities tailored to female offenders, the U.S. government established the Alderson prison under the Federal Industrial Act. The facility emphasized rehabilitation through work programs, education, and vocational training. Early inmates included women convicted of a range of federal offenses, from mail fraud to bootlegging. The institute's design featured cottage-style housing to promote a more humane environment than traditional prisons. Over the decades, Alderson evolved to address changing correctional philosophies and challenges. It remains a landmark in the history of women's incarceration and criminal justice reform.
1927
Federal Industrial Institute for Women
Alderson, West Virginia