453 BC
Spring and Autumn period: The house of Zhao defeats the house of Zhi, ending the Battle of Jinyang, a military conflict between the elite families of the State of Jin.
In 453 BC, the Zhao clan decisively defeated the Zhi clan at the Battle of Jinyang, ending a major power struggle in the State of Jin.
The Battle of Jinyang was a defining moment during China’s Spring and Autumn period. Rival aristocratic houses of Jin — Zhao and Zhi — had vied for political dominance for years. On May 8, 453 BC, Zhao forces ambushed and routed the Zhi troops, securing control of Jinyang. The victory shifted the balance of power, elevating the Zhao family’s influence. It also marked the decline of the old Jin ruling structure and set the stage for the eventual partition of the state. This internal conflict highlights the turbulent nature of early Chinese feudal politics.
453 BC
Spring and Autumn period
Zhao
Battle of Jinyang
State of Jin
413day.year
Emperor Honorius signs an edict providing tax relief for the Italian provinces Tuscia, Campania, Picenum, Samnium, Apulia, Lucania and Calabria, which were plundered by the Visigoths.
In 413, Western Roman Emperor Honorius issued an edict granting tax relief to Italian provinces ravaged by Visigothic incursions.
Facing the devastation wrought by Visigothic raids, Emperor Honorius responded by signing an edict on May 8, 413, to alleviate the tax burden on seven Italian provinces. The relief applied to Tuscia, Campania, Picenum, Samnium, Apulia, Lucania, and Calabria. By suspending taxes in these war-torn regions, Honorius aimed to promote recovery and stability. This move demonstrated the imperial administration’s attempt to maintain legitimacy amid external threats. Though limited in scope, the edict offered temporary respite to communities struggling under economic strain. It reflects the challenges of governance in a collapsing Western Roman Empire.
413
Honorius
edict
Tuscia
Campania
Picenum
Samnium
Apulia
Lucania
Calabria
Visigoths
589day.year
Reccared I opens the Third Council of Toledo, marking the entry of Visigothic Spain into the Catholic Church.
On May 8, 589, King Reccared I convened the Third Council of Toledo, ushering Visigothic Spain into the Roman Catholic fold.
After decades of Arian Christian practice among the Visigothic elite, King Reccared I embraced Catholicism and called the Third Council of Toledo on May 8, 589. Attended by bishops and nobles, the council formally renounced Arian doctrines. This decision united the Visigothic kingdom with the wider Latin Church and strengthened ties with the Papacy. The council produced canons addressing ecclesiastical discipline and reinforced the king’s authority. Reccared’s conversion reshaped religious and political landscapes in Iberia. His act helped integrate diverse populations under a common faith and laid foundations for the medieval Spanish Church.
589
Reccared I
Third Council of Toledo
Visigothic Spain
Catholic Church
1360day.year
Treaty of Brétigny drafted between King Edward III of England and King John II of France (the Good).
In 1360, the Treaty of Brétigny was drafted, pausing part of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France.
On May 8, 1360, diplomats for King Edward III of England and King John II of France met at Brétigny to draft a new peace treaty. The Treaty of Brétigny aimed to end hostilities by transferring vast territories in Aquitaine to English control. In exchange, Edward III agreed to relinquish his claim to the French throne. Though never ratified immediately, the draft laid groundwork for the formal treaty later that year. It marked a shifting balance in the protracted Hundred Years’ War and demonstrated the era’s complex feudal loyalties. The Brétigny negotiations highlight medieval warfare’s blend of chivalry, diplomacy, and territorial ambition.
1360
Treaty of Brétigny
Edward III of England
John II of France
1373day.year
Julian of Norwich, a Christian mystic and anchoress, experiences the deathbed visions described in her Revelations of Divine Love.
In 1373, mystic Julian of Norwich experienced the visions later recorded in her Revelations of Divine Love.
Julian of Norwich, an English anchoress and theologian, underwent a life-changing series of visions on May 8, 1373, while at her deathbed. These 'showings' inspired her seminal work, Revelations of Divine Love, the first book in English written by a woman. Her mystical experiences explored themes of divine mercy, suffering, and the motherly love of God. Julian’s writings offered solace during the upheavals of the Black Death and social unrest. Over the centuries, she became a key figure in Christian mysticism and feminist theology. Her Revelation cements her legacy as a profound spiritual guide.
1373
Julian of Norwich
mystic
anchoress
Revelations of Divine Love
1429day.year
Joan of Arc lifts the Siege of Orléans, turning the tide of the Hundred Years' War.
On May 8, 1429, Joan of Arc broke the Siege of Orléans, marking a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War.
Joan of Arc, the young peasant-turned-general, arrived at Orléans in April 1429 to lift the English siege. On May 8, she led aggressive assaults that shattered English defenses. Her charismatic leadership and unwavering faith inspired French troops to reclaim key fortifications. The relief of Orléans revitalized French morale and galvanized support for Charles VII’s coronation. Joan’s victory signaled a shift away from English dominance in the war. This dramatic triumph remains one of medieval Europe’s most celebrated military and spiritual achievements.
1429
Joan of Arc
Siege of Orléans
1450day.year
Kentishmen revolt against King Henry VI.
In 1450, men from Kent rose in revolt against King Henry VI’s rule, sparking political unrest in England.
The Kentish rebellion of 1450 saw local landholders and commoners alike join in protest against royal mismanagement and corruption. On May 8, insurgents seized control of Rochester and advanced on London. They demanded the dismissal of unpopular advisors and redress for grievances stemming from the Hundred Years’ War’s losses. Although the revolt was eventually suppressed, it exposed deep fissures in Henry VI’s reign. The uprising foreshadowed the dynastic struggles that would erupt into the Wars of the Roses. This event underscores the volatile political climate of mid-15th-century England.
1450
revolt
Henry VI
1516day.year
A group of imperial guards, led by Trịnh Duy Sản, murdered Emperor Lê Tương Dực and fled, leaving the capital Thăng Long undefended.
In 1516, imperial guards led by Trịnh Duy Sản assassinated Emperor Lê Tương Dực, leaving the Vietnamese capital unprotected.
Emperor Lê Tương Dực’s reign in Đại Việt was known for extravagance and political turmoil. On May 8, 1516, disaffected palace guards under Trịnh Duy Sản murdered the emperor during a coup. The assassination stunned the court and left Thăng Long vulnerable to further unrest. Lê Tương Dực’s death triggered succession crises and power struggles among noble factions. This assassination highlighted the fragility of royal authority in early 16th-century Vietnam. The ensuing chaos paved the way for the rise of the Trịnh lords.
1516
murdered
Lê Tương Dực
Thăng Long
1541day.year
Hernando de Soto stops near present-day Walls, Mississippi, and sees the Mississippi River (then known by the Spanish as Río de Espíritu Santo, the name given to it by Alonso Álvarez de Pineda in 1519).
On May 8, 1541, explorer Hernando de Soto glimpsed the great Mississippi River near modern-day Walls, Mississippi.
During his 1541 North American expedition, Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto approached the mighty river later named Mississippi. On May 8, he and his men reached the banks near present-day Walls, Mississippi. De Soto’s account recorded the vastness of the waterway and its importance for indigenous trade networks. This moment marked one of the earliest European sightings of North America’s largest river. Though his expedition continued to traverse the Southeast, the sight of the 'River of the Holy Spirit' captured European imagination. De Soto’s journey contributed to European understanding of the continent’s geography and native cultures.
1541
Hernando de Soto
Walls, Mississippi
Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
1608day.year
A newly nationalized silver mine in Scotland at Hilderston, West Lothian is re-opened by Bevis Bulmer.
In 1608, English engineer Bevis Bulmer reopened the nationalized silver mine at Hilderston in Scotland.
The Hilderston silver mine near West Lothian was seized by King James VI as royal property before its 1608 reopening. On May 8, engineer and entrepreneur Bevis Bulmer took charge of operations under a Crown lease. He introduced new mining techniques and attracted skilled workers from England and Europe. Early yields suggested significant silver deposits, sparking economic optimism. However, challenges with ore quality and costs limited profitability. Bulmer’s enterprise reflects early modern England’s efforts to exploit mineral resources and expand state revenues.
1608
nationalized
Hilderston, West Lothian
Bevis Bulmer
1639day.year
William Coddington founds Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1639, William Coddington founded Newport on Aquidneck Island, creating one of the earliest English settlements in Rhode Island.
In 1639, English colonist William Coddington led a group of settlers from Portsmouth to Aquidneck Island, founding the town of Newport. The new settlement was established under a patent from the Earl of Warwick and quickly became a thriving port and center of trade. Newport's strategic location on Narragansett Bay allowed it to develop a wealthy maritime economy, attracting merchants and artisans. Religious tolerance in the colony drew diverse groups seeking freedom of worship, shaping the town's inclusive character. Over time, Newport grew into a cultural and economic hub in colonial New England, known for its distinctive architecture and influential families.
1639
William Coddington
Newport, Rhode Island
1721day.year
In the Papal States, Cardinal Michelangelo dei Conti is elected Pope, and takes the name Innocent XIII.
In 1721, Cardinal Michelangelo dei Conti was elected Pope by the Papal conclave and adopted the name Innocent XIII.
Michelangelo dei Conti was chosen on May 8, 1721, succeeding Pope Clement XI after a lengthy conclave. Born into a noble Roman family in 1655, he had served as a diplomat and papal nuncio before his elevation. As Innocent XIII, he sought to continue his predecessor’s policies but faced challenges in balancing the interests of European monarchies and the Church. His brief pontificate was marked by disputes with Naples and the Jansenist controversy. Despite his short reign, he maintained a commitment to strengthening the papal finances and supporting missionary work. Innocent XIII died in 1724, leaving a legacy of fiscal reform and diplomatic negotiation.
1721
Papal States
elected
Pope
Innocent XIII