254day.year
Pope Stephen I succeeds Pope Lucius I, becoming the 23rd pope of the Catholic Church, and immediately takes a stand against Novatianism.
Pope Stephen I became the 23rd pope, succeeding Lucius I, and took a decisive stance against the Novatianist schism.
On May 12, 254 AD, Pope Stephen I ascended as the 23rd pontiff of the Catholic Church.
He immediately confronted the Novatianist sect, which had split over issues of church discipline.
Novatianism advocated a strict approach to readmitting Christians who committed grave sins.
Stephen’s firm opposition helped to reaffirm the authority of mainstream church leadership.
His papacy set important precedents for how the Church would handle internal dissent.
Though brief, his tenure influenced theological debates on mercy and punishment.
254
Pope Stephen I
Pope Lucius I
23rd
pope
Catholic Church
Novatianism
907day.year
Zhu Wen forces Emperor Ai into abdicating, ending the Tang dynasty after nearly three hundred years of rule.
Military leader Zhu Wen deposed Emperor Ai, bringing the nearly three-century Tang dynasty to an end.
On May 12, 907 AD, powerful warlord Zhu Wen compelled the young Emperor Ai to renounce the throne.
This act terminated the Tang dynasty, which had ruled China for almost 300 years.
Zhu Wen established the Later Liang regime, marking the start of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
The fall of the Tang plunged China into a time of fragmentation and regional conflict.
Scholars view this transition as a pivotal moment that reshaped Chinese political landscapes.
The legacy of the Tang’s cultural achievements persisted even amid ensuing turmoil.
907
Zhu Wen
Emperor Ai
Tang dynasty
1191day.year
Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre in Cyprus; she is crowned Queen consort of England the same day.
King Richard I of England wed Berengaria of Navarre in Cyprus, crowning her Queen consort on the same day.
On May 12, 1191, Richard the Lionheart celebrated his marriage to Berengaria of Navarre at Limassol in Cyprus.
The union was arranged to secure Richard’s political alliances during the Third Crusade.
Berengaria became England’s first crowned queen consort on foreign soil.
Acclaimed for her grace and piety, she accompanied Richard through his crusading efforts.
Despite spending little time in England afterwards, Berengaria’s marriage had lasting dynastic significance.
Their partnership exemplified the diplomatic use of royal marriages in medieval Europe.
1191
Richard I of England
Berengaria of Navarre
Cyprus
Queen consort of England
1328day.year
Antipope Nicholas V, a claimant to the papacy, is consecrated in Rome by the Bishop of Venice.
Antipope Nicholas V was consecrated in Rome by the Bishop of Venice, claiming the papacy against John XXII.
On May 12, 1328, followers of the deposed Pope John XXII consecrated Pietro Rainalducci as Antipope Nicholas V.
The ceremony took place in Rome under the auspices of the Bishop of Venice.
Nicholas V’s claim intensified the Avignon Papacy controversy, splitting loyalties in Christendom.
His papal seal circulated in parts of Italy and Germany, challenging official papal authority.
Although his influence waned, this schism highlighted the era’s deep political-religious tensions.
The episode underscored the struggle for spiritual and temporal power within the Church.
1328
Antipope Nicholas V
papacy
Bishop of Venice
1497day.year
Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola.
Pope Alexander VI excommunicated the reformer Girolamo Savonarola, deepening the crisis in Florence.
On May 12, 1497, Pope Alexander VI issued a bull excommunicating the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola.
Savonarola had gained power in Florence by preaching against corruption and moral decay.
His Bonfire of the Vanities campaign targeted luxurious art and secular items.
The excommunication marked the peak of his conflict with the papacy and secular rulers.
Despite his fall, Savonarola’s advocacy for church reform influenced later movements.
His fiery sermons and tragic end continue to fascinate historians and artists alike.
1497
Alexander VI
Girolamo Savonarola
1593day.year
London playwright Thomas Kyd is arrested and tortured by the Privy Council for libel.
Playwright Thomas Kyd was arrested and tortured by the Privy Council under suspicion of libel.
On May 12, 1593, English authorities detained Thomas Kyd, acclaimed for his drama Locrine.
The Privy Council accused him of authoring libelous writings against influential figures.
Under torture, Kyd sought to dissociate any radical pamphlets found in his home.
His arrest highlighted the risks faced by Elizabethan authors and printers.
The scandal contributed to the evolving censorship and licensing laws.
Although later released, Kyd’s career never fully recovered from this ordeal.
1593
Thomas Kyd
Privy Council
1743day.year
Maria Theresa of Austria is crowned Queen of Bohemia after defeating her rival, Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor.
Maria Theresa of Austria was crowned Queen of Bohemia in 1743 after defeating Charles VII.
After the death of her father Emperor Charles VI, Maria Theresa faced rival claims to the Bohemian crown and solidified her rule by defeating Charles VII. Her coronation in Prague symbolized the strength of the Habsburg dynasty. The ceremony showcased imperial pageantry and reinforced Habsburg authority in Central Europe. This event bolstered her legitimacy across the Holy Roman Empire and beyond. It set the stage for further diplomatic and military struggles during the War of the Austrian Succession. Her reign would shape European politics for decades to come.
1743
Maria Theresa
Bohemia
Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor
1778day.year
Heinrich XI, count of the Principality of Reuss-Greiz, is elevated to Prince by Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor.
Heinrich XI of Reuss-Greiz was elevated from count to prince by Emperor Joseph II in 1778.
In 1778, Joseph II elevated Heinrich XI from count to prince of Reuss-Greiz, reflecting his efforts to consolidate support among German principalities. The ceremony formalized Reuss-Greiz's increased standing within the Holy Roman Empire. Heinrich XI's new title granted greater prestige and autonomy to his territory. The elevation underscored Joseph II's broader reforms and political alliances. It signified a shift in regional power dynamics in the late 18th century and strengthened imperial cohesion.
1778
Heinrich XI
Principality of Reuss-Greiz
Prince
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
1870day.year
The Manitoba Act is given the Royal Assent, paving the way for Manitoba to become a province of Canada on July 15.
On May 12, 1870, the Manitoba Act received Royal Assent, laying the foundation for Manitoba’s entry as Canada’s fifth province on July 15.
The Manitoba Act was passed by the Canadian Parliament and granted Royal Assent from Queen Victoria. It addressed concerns raised during the Red River Rebellion by granting land rights and cultural protections to the Métis. The Act established a bilingual legislature and guaranteed denominational schools for both Catholics and Protestants. It carved Manitoba out of Rupert’s Land and the Northwest Territories, creating Canada's fifth province. By recognizing Métis land claims and linguistic rights, the Act set a precedent for accommodating diverse communities within Confederation.
1870
Manitoba Act
Royal Assent
Manitoba
province of Canada
July 15
1881day.year
In North Africa, Tunisia becomes a French protectorate.
On May 12, 1881, Tunisia was declared a French protectorate under the Treaty of Bardo, ushering in decades of colonial rule.
French warships under Prime Minister Jules Ferry arrived at Bizerte and pressured the Bey of Tunis into signing the Treaty of Bardo. The agreement granted France control over Tunisia’s foreign affairs, military, and finances while preserving the Bey’s nominal authority. A French Resident-General was installed to administer the protectorate and exploit local resources. Sporadic resistance by tribal and religious leaders was gradually suppressed by superior French forces. The protectorate integrated Tunisia into the French colonial empire until it achieved independence in 1956.
1881
Tunisia
French protectorate
1933day.year
The Agricultural Adjustment Act, which restricts agricultural production through government purchase of livestock for slaughter and paying subsidies to farmers when they remove land from planting, is signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Agricultural Adjustment Act into law on May 12, 1933, as part of his New Deal to stabilize farm prices.
The AAA aimed to combat agricultural overproduction during the Great Depression by paying farmers to reduce crop acreage and slaughter excess livestock. Funded through new taxes on food processors, it granted subsidies to growers who left land unplanted. The Act created the Agricultural Adjustment Administration to oversee implementation and ensure compliance. While it succeeded in raising farm incomes, it drew criticism for displacing tenant farmers and sharecroppers. In 1936, the Supreme Court ruled key provisions unconstitutional, prompting FDR to propose judicial reforms. The AAA laid the groundwork for future federal involvement in farm price supports and rural policy.
1933
Agricultural Adjustment Act
livestock
subsidies
Franklin D. Roosevelt
1933day.year
President Roosevelt signs legislation creating the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the predecessor of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
On May 12, 1933, legislation was signed creating the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the first major New Deal agency for delivering direct relief.
Established by the Emergency Relief and Construction Act, FERA provided grants to state and local agencies to supply food, clothing, and shelter to the unemployed. Directed by Harry Hopkins, it disbursed over three billion dollars to millions of Americans in need. FERA also funded public works projects, building schools, roads, and parks to generate jobs. Its approach marked a shift from local to federal responsibility for social welfare. The agency operated until 1935, when it was succeeded by the Works Progress Administration. FERA’s creation represented a turning point in the federal government’s role during economic crises.
Federal Emergency Relief Administration
Federal Emergency Management Agency