May 06

Events

1527day.year

Spanish and German troops sack Rome; many scholars consider this the end of the Renaissance.

In 1527, Spanish and German troops sacked Rome, an assault often regarded as signaling the end of the Renaissance.
In May 1527, troops of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, composed largely of Spanish and German soldiers, marched on Rome amid unpaid wages and religious tensions. Over several days, they looted churches, palaces, and artworks, causing widespread destruction and civilian suffering. The violent sack shattered the city’s economic and cultural institutions, dispersing leading artists and scholars. Rome’s fall symbolized a broader shift away from the ideals of the High Renaissance toward an era of political fragmentation. The event weakened the Papacy’s temporal power and altered the trajectory of European art and thought.
1527 sack Rome Renaissance
1536day.year

The Siege of Cuzco commences, in which Incan forces attempt to retake the city of Cuzco from the Spanish.

In 1536, Manco Inca led Incan forces in a siege of Spanish-held Cuzco in an effort to reclaim their capital.
In 1536, following uprisings across the former Inca Empire, Manco Inca Yupanqui assembled his army to surround Cuzco, then under Spanish control. The siege lasted several months, with the attackers cutting off supplies and mounting assaults on fortifications. Spanish conquistadors and settlers, aided by indigenous allies, defended the city walls with muskets and artillery. Harsh conditions and intermittent relief efforts characterized the standoff. Although the Incas won several skirmishes, they ultimately failed to retake Cuzco until later campaigns. The siege remains a notable episode in the struggle between the Inca civilization and European colonizers.
1536 Siege of Cuzco Incan Cuzco
1541day.year

King Henry VIII orders English-language Bibles be placed in every church. In 1539 the Great Bible would be provided for this purpose.

In 1541, King Henry VIII ordered English-language Bibles to be placed in every church, increasing public access to scripture.
In 1541, as part of his religious reforms, Henry VIII decreed that an English translation of the Bible be made available in all parish churches across England. This mandate built on the publication of the Great Bible in 1539, overseen by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell. Public readings of scripture in the vernacular aimed to reduce clerical mediation and promote personal faith. The policy reflected the broader English Reformation, balancing royal authority over the church with emerging Protestant ideas. Churchwardens were held accountable for ensuring copies were accessible to congregations. The move helped foster literacy and shaped religious life in Tudor England.
1541 Henry VIII English-language Bibles Great Bible
1542day.year

Francis Xavier reaches Old Goa, the capital of Portuguese India at the time.

In 1542, Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier arrived in Old Goa, initiating significant missionary work in Portuguese India.
In May 1542, Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, landed at Old Goa, the administrative center of Portuguese India. He carried letters of introduction from King John III and a mandate to evangelize local populations. Over the next months, Xavier learned local languages and engaged with diverse religious communities, establishing schools and baptizing converts. His methods combined compassionate outreach with strict ascetic practices. Xavier’s presence in Goa served as a staging point for subsequent missions to the Maluku Islands, Japan, and mainland Asia. His efforts laid the groundwork for centuries of Catholic influence in South Asia.
1542 Francis Xavier Old Goa Portuguese India
1594day.year

The Dutch city of Coevorden held by the Spanish, falls to a Dutch and English force.

In 1594, Dutch and English forces captured the strategic city of Coevorden from Spain during the Eighty Years’ War.
In May 1594, a joint Dutch-English army under Prince Maurice of Nassau and Francis Vere besieged Coevorden, a fortified city held by Spanish troops. The defenders, well-entrenched behind medieval walls, resisted prolonged bombardment and mining operations. After weeks of siege, the Spanish garrison capitulated due to shortages of men and materials. The victory disrupted Spanish supply lines and boosted morale among the Dutch rebels fighting for independence. Coevorden’s fall also strengthened the Anglo-Dutch alliance and demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated military engineering. The town’s capture marked a turning point in the protracted conflict that ultimately led to the Dutch Republic’s recognition.
1594 Coevorden falls to a Dutch and English force
1659day.year

English Restoration: A faction of the British Army removes Richard Cromwell as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth and reinstalls the Rump Parliament.

In 1659, army officers deposed Lord Protector Richard Cromwell and reinstated the Rump Parliament, setting the stage for the Restoration.
In April 1659, dissatisfaction within the New Model Army over pay and political direction led to the ousting of Richard Cromwell as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. A group of senior officers, frustrated by civilian interference, forcibly dissolved the Protectorate’s governance structure. They summoned the Rump Parliament, which had been dissolved by Cromwell’s father five years earlier. This intervention by military factions undermined the republican experiment and revealed the fragility of Cromwellian rule. The Rump Parliament’s return created a power vacuum that ultimately paved the way for negotiations with Charles II. By early 1660, these developments culminated in the Restoration of the monarchy.
1659 English Restoration faction British Army Richard Cromwell Lord Protector Rump Parliament
1682day.year

Louis XIV of France moves his court to the Palace of Versailles.

In 1682, King Louis XIV relocated his royal court to the Palace of Versailles, transforming it into the heart of French absolutist power.
On May 6, 1682, Louis XIV officially established his residence and the seat of government at the Palace of Versailles, having expanded and embellished the former hunting lodge. The move centralized administrative functions and placed the nobility under the king’s watchful eye through elaborate court rituals. Versailles became a showcase of Baroque opulence, with grand gardens, mirrors, and galleries symbolizing royal magnificence. Courtiers competed for favor in a meticulously orchestrated hierarchy, reinforcing the king’s personal authority. The palace’s architectural innovations set stylistic trends across Europe. Versailles remained the political hub of France until the Revolution, embodying the ideals of absolute monarchy.
1682 Louis XIV of France Palace of Versailles
1757day.year

Battle of Prague: A Prussian army fights an Austrian army in Prague during the Seven Years' War.

During the Seven Years’ War in 1757, Prussian forces engaged the Austrian army in the Battle of Prague, a major clash in Central Europe.
On May 6, 1757, Frederick the Great’s Prussian army confronted Austrian troops near Prague’s suburbs in a bid to relieve the besieged city. Despite facing strong defensive positions and entrenchments, Frederick launched aggressive assaults that ultimately forced the Austrians to withdraw. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of Prussian infantry tactics and artillery coordination. Heavy casualties on both sides underscored the war’s brutal nature. Although Prussia claimed a tactical victory, the engagement did not end the siege nor decisively shift the war in Prussia’s favor. The Battle of Prague remains notable for its demonstration of 18th-century warfare and Frederick’s leadership under fire.
1757 Battle of Prague Prussian army Prague Seven Years' War
1757day.year

The end of Konbaung–Hanthawaddy War, and the end of Burmese Civil War (1740–1757).

In 1757, the Konbaung–Hanthawaddy War ended, concluding the Burmese Civil War and unifying Burma under the Konbaung dynasty.
The conflict between the Konbaung dynasty and the Hanthawaddy Kingdom, which began in 1752, reached its climax with the fall of Pegu in May 1757. Alaungpaya, founder of the Konbaung dynasty, had rallied Shan and Burman forces to roll back Hanthawaddy rule in Lower Burma. His forces captured the capital after a protracted siege, effectively ending the civil war that had fragmented the region for nearly two decades. The victory allowed the Konbaung rulers to consolidate control over all Burmese territories and initiate administrative reforms. The reunified kingdom embarked on military campaigns against Siam and other neighbors. Burma’s cultural and political renaissance under the Konbaung dynasty can be traced to this decisive moment.
Konbaung–Hanthawaddy War
1757day.year

English poet Christopher Smart is admitted into St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics in London, beginning his six-year confinement to mental asylums.

In 1757, poet Christopher Smart was admitted to St Luke’s Hospital for Lunatics, beginning a six-year period of confinement.
In May 1757, Christopher Smart, known for his vivid poetry and religious fervor, was committed to St Luke’s Hospital in London amid concerns over his mental health and public behavior. During his confinement, he composed what would become his most celebrated work, Jubilate Agno, though it remained unpublished until the 20th century. Contemporary accounts described his intense devotional practices and erratic conduct as evidence of madness. The poet’s institutionalization reflects 18th-century attitudes toward mental illness and the limited understanding of psychiatric care. Smart was released in 1763 and resumed literary activities, but his later life remained marked by financial hardship. His experiences have inspired discussions of creativity, spirituality, and the treatment of mental illness in literary history.
Christopher Smart St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics his six-year confinement mental asylums
1782day.year

Construction begins on the Grand Palace, the royal residence of the King of Siam in Bangkok, at the command of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke.

King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke orders the construction of Bangkok's Grand Palace, establishing the official royal residence of Siam.
In 1782, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke moved the Siamese capital to Thonburi and commissioned the Grand Palace in Bangkok as his official residence. The palace complex was designed with traditional Thai architecture, ornate spires, and elaborate murals reflecting Buddhist cosmology. Construction brought together craftsmen, artisans, and materials from across the kingdom, symbolizing the newly founded Chakri dynasty's power. Over the centuries, the Grand Palace has been the site of royal ceremonies, coronations, and state functions. Despite expansions and restorations, the core structures remain largely intact and continue to draw millions of visitors annually. Today, the palace stands as an iconic cultural landmark and a testament to Thailand's royal heritage.
1782 Grand Palace King of Siam Bangkok Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
1801day.year

Captain Thomas Cochrane in the 14-gun HMS Speedy captures the 32-gun Spanish frigate El Gamo.

In 1801, Captain Thomas Cochrane leads HMS Speedy to a daring victory, capturing the larger Spanish frigate El Gamo during the Napoleonic Wars.
During the Napoleonic Wars in May 1801, British naval officer Thomas Cochrane commanded the 14-gun sloop HMS Speedy against the 32-gun Spanish frigate El Gamo off the coast of Spain. Despite being outgunned and outmanned, Cochrane employed bold tactics, including close-quarters maneuvering and deception to sow confusion among the Spanish crew. His leadership and the crew’s ferocity forced the larger frigate’s surrender after a fierce engagement. This victory earned Cochrane widespread acclaim and cemented his reputation as one of the Royal Navy’s most audacious commanders. The capture of El Gamo demonstrated the importance of innovative tactics over sheer firepower. Cochrane’s exploits later inspired literary figures such as Patrick O'Brian and C.S. Forester in their naval fiction.
1801 Thomas Cochrane HMS Speedy captures Spanish frigate El Gamo