1194day.year
King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first royal charter.
In 1194, King Richard I granted Portsmouth its first royal charter, marking the town's official status and granting its citizens rights and privileges.
In 1194, King Richard I of England granted Portsmouth its first royal charter, elevating the town to an official borough with self-governance rights. The charter provided privileges such as holding markets, collecting tolls, and self-administration under the crown. This recognition spurred economic growth and attracted merchants and craftsmen. Portsmouth's strategic coastal position made it an important naval and trade port. The charter laid the foundation for the town's development as a key maritime center. Over the centuries, this document has been seen as the starting point of Portsmouth's civic identity and autonomy.
1194
Richard I of England
Portsmouth
royal charter
1230day.year
William de Braose is hanged by Prince Llywelyn the Great.
In 1230, Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great ordered the execution of William de Braose as part of his campaign to consolidate power in the Marches.
William de Braose, once a prominent Marcher lord, fell out of favor with Prince Llywelyn the Great amid disputes over land and authority in the Welsh borderlands. After failing to appear before Llywelyn’s court, de Braose was captured and hanged without a formal trial. This dramatic act underscored Llywelyn’s determination to assert independence from Anglo-Norman influence. The execution sent shockwaves through the region and reshaped the balance of power in Wales. It also contributed to ongoing tensions between native Welsh rulers and the English crown. The incident remains a stark example of medieval political intrigue and jurisdiction.
1230
William de Braose
Llywelyn the Great
1536day.year
Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, is arrested and imprisoned on charges of adultery, incest, treason and witchcraft.
In 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn was arrested on charges of adultery, incest, treason, and witchcraft, setting the stage for her dramatic fall and execution.
On May 2, 1536, Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London on multiple charges including adultery, incest, treason, and witchcraft. These accusations, widely believed to have been contrived by her political enemies, led to her swift trial and conviction. Anne’s downfall cleared the way for the king to marry Jane Seymour and secure a male heir. The event marked a pivotal moment in the Tudor dynasty and the English Reformation. It highlighted the precarious nature of court politics and the king’s absolute power over life and death. Anne’s legacy endures through her daughter, Elizabeth I, and her story has inspired countless works of history and fiction.
1536
Anne Boleyn
Queen of England
adultery
incest
treason
witchcraft
1559day.year
John Knox returns from exile to Scotland to become the leader of the nascent Scottish Reformation.
In 1559, Scottish reformer John Knox returned from exile to lead the Scottish Reformation and reshape the nation's religious landscape.
After years of exile in Geneva, John Knox landed at St. Andrews on May 2, 1559, determined to transform the religious landscape of Scotland. Influenced by John Calvin’s teachings, he called for the abolition of Catholic practices and the establishment of a Presbyterian church. Knox’s fiery sermons attracted large followings and galvanized opposition to Mary of Guise’s French-backed regency. His leadership culminated in the signing of the First Book of Discipline and the Parliament of Scotland’s official endorsement of Protestant reforms. The Scottish Reformation reshaped Scottish society, culture, and governance, and laid the groundwork for the Kirk’s central role in national life. Knox’s return remains a landmark moment in the history of the Protestant movement.
1559
John Knox
Scottish Reformation
1568day.year
Mary, Queen of Scots, escapes from Lochleven Castle.
On May 2, 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots, escaped from Lochleven Castle, evading her captors and reigniting her struggle for power.
Imprisoned at Lochleven Castle after abdicating the Scottish throne, Mary, Queen of Scots, orchestrated her escape with the help of loyal supporters. Dressed in simple attire and aided by servants, she evaded guards and traversed the castle’s lake by boat. Mary then rallied allies to raise an army and challenge the rule of her brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray. Although her escape sparked renewed civil strife, she was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Langside in May 1568. Her flight demonstrated her resilience and the volatile nature of Scottish politics. Mary’s dramatic breakout has become a legendary episode in the tumultuous saga of her reign.
1568
Mary, Queen of Scots
Lochleven Castle
1611day.year
The King James Version of the Bible is published for the first time in London, England, by printer Robert Barker.
In 1611, the King James Version of the Bible was published in London by Robert Barker, becoming one of the most influential English translations.
Commissioned by King James I and produced by a team of scholars, the King James Version was first printed by Robert Barker on May 2, 1611. Its majestic language and poetic rhythm set a new standard for English prose and shaped religious practice for centuries. The translation balanced literal accuracy with literary elegance, making it accessible to both clergy and lay readers. It played a key role in spreading Protestantism across the English-speaking world. The King James Bible also profoundly influenced English literature, inspiring countless authors and poets. Today, it remains one of the most widely read and quoted books in history.
1611
King James Version
Bible
Robert Barker
1625day.year
Afonso Mendes, appointed by Pope Gregory XV as Latin Patriarch of Ethiopia, arrives at Beilul from Goa.
In 1625, Afonso Mendes arrived in Beilul from Goa as the newly appointed Latin Patriarch of Ethiopia, marking an important moment in Catholic-Ethiopian relations.
Pope Gregory XV named Portuguese Jesuit Afonso Mendes as the Latin Patriarch of Ethiopia in 1622, and he reached Beilul on May 2, 1625. His mission aimed to strengthen Catholic influence and reconcile the Ethiopian church with Rome. Mendes faced linguistic, cultural, and religious challenges among the predominantly Orthodox population. He established seminaries and attempted liturgical reforms, but his efforts stirred controversy and resistance. The patriarchal mission highlighted the complexities of early modern religious diplomacy and colonial interactions. Although ultimately reversed after his departure, Mendes’s tenure left a lasting imprint on Ethiopian ecclesiastical history.
1625
Afonso Mendes
Pope Gregory XV
Latin Patriarch of Ethiopia
Beilul
Goa
1670day.year
King Charles II of England grants a permanent charter to the Hudson's Bay Company to open up the fur trade in North America.
On May 2, 1670, King Charles II granted a permanent charter to the Hudson's Bay Company, launching its fur trade empire in North America.
The royal charter issued by Charles II granted the Hudson's Bay Company exclusive trading rights across the vast watershed drained by rivers flowing into Hudson Bay. It empowered the company to establish forts, negotiate treaties with Indigenous peoples, and govern its territory. This marked the beginning of one of North America’s longest-lived commercial enterprises. The fur trade became the backbone of the company’s wealth and played a crucial role in European exploration and colonization. The HBC’s governance model blended commerce with quasi-governmental authority, influencing the development of Canada’s political geography. Today, the Hudson's Bay Company’s legacy continues in retail and Canadian history.
1670
Charles II of England
Hudson's Bay Company
fur trade
1808day.year
Outbreak of the Peninsular War: The people of Madrid rise up in rebellion against French occupation. Francisco de Goya later memorializes this event in his painting The Second of May 1808.
On May 2, 1808, the people of Madrid rose against French occupation, igniting the Peninsular War, later immortalized by Goya’s painting.
Frustrated by heavy taxation and foreign dominance, citizens of Madrid launched a spontaneous revolt against occupying French troops on May 2, 1808. The violent clashes marked the beginning of the Peninsular War, drawing Spanish guerrilla fighters and British allies into a protracted struggle. Francisco de Goya witnessed the uprising and captured its fury in his painting 'The Second of May 1808,' also known as 'The Charge of the Mamelukes.' Goya’s raw depiction conveyed the brutality and popular defiance of the event. The revolt galvanized national resistance and altered the course of Napoleonic campaigns in Spain. The Dos de Mayo uprising remains a powerful symbol of Spanish patriotism and sacrifice.
1808
Peninsular War
Madrid
rise up in rebellion
Francisco de Goya
The Second of May 1808
1812day.year
The Siege of Cuautla during the Mexican War of Independence ends with both sides claiming victory.
On May 2, 1812, the Siege of Cuautla during the Mexican War of Independence concluded, with both Spanish and insurgent forces claiming victory.
Lasting from February to May 2, 1812, the Siege of Cuautla saw José María Morelos and his insurgent army withstand Spanish royalist assaults. Facing shortages of food and ammunition, the rebels fortified the town’s defenses and repelled multiple attacks. Despite significant casualties on both sides, the insurgents managed a strategic breakout that forced the besiegers to withdraw. The ambiguous outcome allowed both factions to declare success, boosting rebel morale and undermining Spanish authority. The siege exemplified the brutal nature of Mexico’s fight for independence and Morelos’s leadership. It became a celebrated episode in Mexican history and a testament to the resilience of the independence movement.
1812
Siege of Cuautla
Mexican War of Independence
1829day.year
After anchoring nearby, Captain Charles Fremantle of HMS Challenger, declares the Swan River Colony in Australia.
Captain Charles Fremantle of HMS Challenger declares the Swan River Colony, marking the start of British settlement in Western Australia.
Captain Charles Fremantle of HMS Challenger anchored off the western coast of Australia and formally declared the establishment of the Swan River Colony on this day in 1829. His proclamation marked the beginning of organized British settlement in the region under the auspices of the British Crown. The new colony was envisioned as a free settlement rather than a penal outpost, attracting immigrants seeking land and opportunities. Early settlers faced harsh conditions, supply shortages, and complex relations with local Aboriginal peoples. Despite adversity, the settlement survived and expanded along the Swan River. Fremantle's declaration laid the foundations for what would become the city of Perth and the port of Fremantle. Over time, the Swan River Colony evolved into the modern state of Western Australia. This moment remains a key chapter in Australia’s colonial history.
1829
Charles Fremantle
HMS Challenger
Swan River Colony
1863day.year
American Civil War: Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire while returning to camp after reconnoitering during the Battle of Chancellorsville. He succumbs to pneumonia eight days later.
During the Battle of Chancellorsville in the American Civil War, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson is accidentally wounded by his own troops.
During the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863, Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was returning from reconnaissance when he was mistakenly shot by his own pickets. The friendly fire wounds trapped his left arm and struck his right shoulder. He survived the shooting but developed pneumonia during the subsequent weeks of recovery. Jackson succumbed to complications on May 10, dealing a severe blow to Confederate morale. His aggressive tactics at Chancellorsville had contributed to one of the South’s greatest victories. Historians regard his death as a turning point that weakened Confederate leadership in the eastern theater. Stonewall Jackson’s legacy endures as one of the most revered figures in American military history.
1863
American Civil War
Stonewall Jackson
Battle of Chancellorsville
pneumonia