567 BC
Servius Tullius, the king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans.
Roman King Servius Tullius celebrates a triumph after defeating the Etruscans in 567 BC.
In 567 BC, Servius Tullius, the sixth king of Rome, achieved a decisive victory over the neighboring Etruscan cities. To honor this military success, he held a grand triumphal procession through the city’s streets. The ceremony showcased captured spoils and celebrated Roman supremacy. This event reinforced Servius Tullius’s authority and bolstered Rome’s growing influence in central Italy. The triumph became a lasting tradition for victorious generals in the Roman Republic and Empire, symbolizing victory and state power.
567 BC
Servius Tullius
Rome
triumph
Etruscans
240 BC
First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet.
The first recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet, marking its earliest known appearance in 240 BC.
The 240 BC perihelion of what later became known as Halley's Comet represents the earliest documented sighting of this celestial visitor. Ancient observers recorded the comet’s approach closest to the Sun, noting its bright appearance in the sky. These observations provided vital historical data that allowed modern astronomers to trace the comet’s 76-year orbital period. Although the concept of a periodic comet would not be understood for centuries, these records contribute to our understanding of its long-term stability. Today, Halley's Comet remains one of the most famous periodic comets, linking ancient skywatchers to present-day space science.
240 BC
perihelion
Halley's Comet
1085day.year
Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo, Spain, back from the Moors.
Alfonso VI of Castile captures Toledo from the Moors in 1085, a pivotal moment in the Reconquista.
In 1085, King Alfonso VI led Castilian forces to retake the city of Toledo, which had been a center of Moorish rule in the Iberian Peninsula. The capture of Toledo marked a significant advance in the Christian Reconquista, shifting the balance of power in favor of the northern kingdoms. Toledo’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage, including its libraries and artisans, was absorbed into Castilian society. This victory opened the way for further campaigns southward and fostered a period of cultural exchange between Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The event is remembered as a turning point in medieval Spanish history, shaping the nation’s religious and political landscape for centuries.
1085
Alfonso VI of Castile
Toledo, Spain
Moors
1420day.year
Henry the Navigator is appointed governor of the Order of Christ.
Prince Henry the Navigator becomes governor of the Order of Christ in 1420, fueling Portugal's Age of Discovery.
In 1420, Prince Henry of Portugal, later known as Henry the Navigator, was appointed governor of the Order of Christ, a powerful military and religious organization. Under his leadership, the Order’s resources were directed toward maritime exploration and the expansion of Portuguese influence along the African coast. Henry sponsored voyages that mapped unknown territories, gathered navigational knowledge, and established trade routes. His patronage laid the groundwork for the European Age of Discovery, culminating in the rounding of the Cape of Good Hope and the opening of sea routes to Asia. Although he never sailed on these expeditions himself, Henry’s strategic vision and financial support transformed navigation and global commerce.
1420
Henry the Navigator
Order of Christ
1521day.year
The Diet of Worms ends when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.
At the Diet of Worms in 1521, Emperor Charles V issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.
The Diet of Worms, convened by Emperor Charles V in 1521, sought to address the growing Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther. When Luther refused to recant his critiques of the Catholic Church, Charles V issued the Edict of Worms, branding him an outlaw and heretic. The decree forbade citizens from providing Luther with shelter or assistance, effectively making his teachings illegal within the Holy Roman Empire. Despite the ban, Luther found protection under sympathetic German princes and continued to influence religious and political life across Europe. The Edict of Worms solidified the divide between Protestant reformers and Catholic authorities, setting the stage for religious conflicts that would last for centuries.
1521
Diet of Worms
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Edict of Worms
Martin Luther
outlaw
1644day.year
Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan pass, letting the Manchus through towards the capital Beijing.
Ming general Wu Sangui allies with the Manchus and opens the Great Wall gates at Shanhaiguan in 1644, enabling the Qing conquest.
In 1644, facing rebellion and internal strife, the Ming general Wu Sangui made the fateful decision to ally with the invading Manchus. He opened the gates of the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan Pass, allowing Manchu forces to march unopposed toward Beijing. This act effectively sealed the fate of the crumbling Ming dynasty and ushered in the Qing dynasty’s rule over China. The alliance exemplified the complex power struggles of the period, where loyalty and survival often trumped dynasty. The event remains a pivotal moment in Chinese history, marking the end of native rule and the beginning of Manchu governance for nearly three centuries.
1644
Ming
Wu Sangui
Manchus
Great Wall of China
Shanhaiguan
1659day.year
Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth of England.
Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector in 1659, initiating the brief second Commonwealth of England.
Following the death of his father Oliver Cromwell in 1658, Richard Cromwell inherited the title of Lord Protector but struggled to maintain authority. On May 25, 1659, he resigned after the restoration of the Long Parliament, unable to command the army or the political support needed to govern. His departure marked the start of the short-lived second Commonwealth, characterized by uncertainty and political infighting. The interregnum period had begun to unravel, setting the stage for the eventual restoration of the monarchy. Richard’s resignation highlighted the challenges of republican government in a nation accustomed to monarchical rule.
1659
Richard Cromwell
Lord Protector
Long Parliament
republican
Commonwealth of England
1660day.year
Charles II lands at Dover at the invitation of the Convention Parliament, which marks the end of the Cromwell-proclaimed Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland and begins the Restoration of the British monarchy.
Charles II lands at Dover in 1660, marking the Restoration of the British monarchy.
In 1660, after more than a decade of republican rule, Charles II returned from exile and landed at Dover by invitation of the Convention Parliament. His arrival signaled the end of Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth and the restoration of the English, Scottish, and Irish thrones. The Restoration ushered in a new era of relative stability, with the monarchy reestablished under constitutional constraints. Charles II’s reign brought cultural revival and changes in religious tolerance, though it faced tensions between crown and Parliament. This momentous event reshaped British political life and solidified the monarchy’s central role once more.
1660
Charles II
Convention Parliament
Cromwell
Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland
Restoration of the British monarchy
1738day.year
A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland ends the Conojocular War with settlement of a boundary dispute and exchange of prisoners.
A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland in 1738 ends the Conojocular War, settling a boundary dispute.
The Conojocular War was a little-known 18th-century border conflict between the colonies of Pennsylvania and Maryland. On May 25, 1738, negotiators signed a treaty to end hostilities, exchange prisoners, and define a clear boundary. The agreement laid the groundwork for future colonial borders and prevented further skirmishes over land rights. It demonstrated the colonies’ willingness to resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than prolonged warfare. This treaty also reflected the importance of colonial charters and land grants in shaping the early American landscape.
1738
Pennsylvania
Maryland
Conojocular War
boundary dispute
prisoners
1763day.year
First issue of Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler, the first regular Norwegian newspaper (1763–1920).
The first issue of Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler, Norway's first regular newspaper, is published in 1763.
On May 25, 1763, Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler released its inaugural issue, becoming Norway’s first regular newspaper. Founded by Henrik S. Wetlesen, it provided readers with news on commerce, public announcements, and cultural events. The publication marked a milestone in Norwegian media and communication, fostering a sense of national identity. Over its long run until 1920, the newspaper chronicled political developments, social changes, and technological advancements. Its success paved the way for a vibrant press landscape in Norway and contributed to the spread of information in the 18th and 19th centuries.
1763
Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler
1787day.year
After a delay of 11 days, the United States Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia after a quorum of seven states is secured.
The United States Constitutional Convention formally convened in Philadelphia after a seven-state quorum was achieved, marking the beginning of the U.S. Constitution drafting process.
After an initial delay due to incomplete attendance, delegates from seven states gathered at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. This formal opening of the Constitutional Convention set the stage for intensive debates on federal structure and the balance of powers. Key figures such as George Washington, who presided over the assembly, and James Madison, whose ideas would heavily influence the final document, were present. Over the following weeks and months, delegates would discuss representation, the executive branch, and the judiciary. The Convention’s work overcame regional disagreements to produce a new framework for governance. Their deliberations ultimately gave rise to the United States Constitution, which remains the supreme law of the land.
1787
United States Constitutional Convention
quorum
1798day.year
United Irishmen Rebellion: Battle of Carlow begins; executions of suspected rebels at Carnew and at Dunlavin Green take place.
The Battle of Carlow marked a fierce confrontation in the United Irishmen Rebellion, with suspected rebels facing severe reprisals.
In May 1798, the United Irishmen Rebellion reached County Carlow as British forces clashed with Irish rebels seeking independence. The conflict began with armed engagements in and around the town of Carlow, where local volunteers attempted to seize control. Following the battle’s outbreak, suspected insurgents were captured and publicly executed at nearby Carnew and Dunlavin Green. Reports of mass executions inflamed tensions and fueled further resistance across Ireland. The Carlow encounters exemplified the brutal measures used by authorities to suppress the uprising. Although the rebellion was eventually quelled, it left a legacy of political unrest and inspired future national movements.
1798
United Irishmen Rebellion
Battle of Carlow
executions of suspected rebels at Carnew
at Dunlavin Green