May 26

Events

17day.year

Germanicus celebrates a triumph in Rome for his victories over the Cherusci, Chatti, and other German tribes west of the Elbe.

Roman general Germanicus was honored with a triumphal procession in Rome after his victories over Germanic tribes.
On May 26, AD 17, Germanicus Maximus returned to Rome, marking his military success with a state-sponsored triumph. The Roman Senate and people welcomed him as he paraded through the city with captured spoils and prisoners. His victories over the Cherusci, Chatti, and other tribes west of the Elbe were pivotal in securing Rome's frontier. The procession featured lavish displays of treasures, exotic animals, and the banners of defeated foes. Germanicus's triumph bolstered his popular reputation and reinforced Rome's dominance over the Germanic territories. This celebratory event highlighted the political and military power of the Roman Empire during Emperor Tiberius's reign.
17 Germanicus triumph Cherusci Chatti German tribes Elbe
451day.year

Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sasanian Empire takes place. The Sasanids defeat the Armenians militarily but guarantee them freedom to openly practice Christianity.

Armenian rebels fought the Sasanian Empire at Avarayr, securing religious freedom despite military defeat.
On May 26, 451, Armenian noblemen and peasants united under Vardan Mamikonian to challenge Sasanian rule at Avarayr. Although the Armenian forces were defeated in battle, they displayed remarkable courage and unity. In the aftermath, the Sasanian emperor granted Armenians the right to practice Christianity openly. This battle became a symbol of Armenian resistance and commitment to their Christian faith. The legacy of Avarayr influenced Armenian culture and national identity for centuries. Today, it is commemorated as a pivotal moment in Armenia's religious and political history.
451 Battle of Avarayr Armenian Sasanian Empire Christianity
946day.year

England is left temporarily without a monarch after the death of King Edmund I in a street fight, resulting in Edmund's brother Eadred assuming the throne for the minority of Edmund's two sons.

King Edmund I of England was killed in a street fight, and his brother Eadred succeeded him as king.
On May 26, 946, King Edmund I was fatally wounded during a fight at Pucklechurch in Gloucestershire. The unexpected death left the English throne without a clear adult ruler, as Edmund's two sons were minors. Edmund's younger brother, Eadred, was quickly proclaimed king to prevent a power vacuum. Eadred's ascension ensured the continuity of the House of Wessex's rule over England. This succession highlighted the fragility of medieval monarchies and the importance of strong heirs. The event underscored the era's turbulent politics and the constant threat to royal authority.
946 England Edmund I Eadred
961day.year

King Otto I elects his six-year-old son Otto II as heir apparent and co-ruler of the East Frankish Kingdom. He is crowned at Aachen, and placed under the tutelage of his grandmother Matilda.

Emperor Otto I crowned his six-year-old son Otto II as co-ruler of the East Frankish Kingdom at Aachen.
On May 26, 961, Emperor Otto I formally declared his son Otto II as heir and co-ruler at Aachen's cathedral. The young prince, only six years old, was crowned alongside his father to secure dynastic succession. Otto II was placed under the tutelage of his grandmother, Matilda, to oversee his education and governance. This co-regency strengthened the stability of the East Frankish Kingdom and deterred rival claims. Otto I's decision set a precedent for shared imperial rule in the Holy Roman Empire. The event reinforced the Ottonian dynasty's hold on Central Europe during the medieval era.
961 Otto I Otto II heir apparent East Frankish Kingdom Aachen Matilda
1135day.year

Alfonso VII of León and Castile is crowned in León Cathedral as Imperator totius Hispaniae (Emperor of all of Spain).

Alfonso VII was crowned Imperator totius Hispaniae in León Cathedral, declaring himself Emperor of all Spain.
On May 26, 1135, Alfonso VII of León and Castile was anointed emperor in the grand León Cathedral. He adopted the title Imperator totius Hispaniae, asserting authority over the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. The coronation symbolized his ambition to unify Spain under his rule and to lead the Reconquista against Muslim states. Nobles and church leaders attended the ceremony, lending religious legitimacy to his imperial claim. Alfonso's reign marked a high point in medieval Spanish monarchy and influenced Iberian politics for decades. His imperial title inspired later Spanish rulers to pursue broader territorial and spiritual leadership.
1135 Alfonso VII of León and Castile León Cathedral Imperator totius Hispaniae
1293day.year

An earthquake strikes Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, killing about 23,000.

A powerful earthquake struck Kamakura, Japan, killing around 23,000 people.
On May 26, 1293, a major earthquake jolted the city of Kamakura, then the political center of Japan. The tremor caused widespread destruction of wooden buildings and temples across the region. Historical records estimate that approximately 23,000 people perished in the quake and subsequent fires. The disaster struck during the Kamakura shogunate, challenging the ruling military government's authority. Survivors faced famine and disease as they struggled to rebuild their homes and community. The earthquake remains one of medieval Japan's deadliest natural disasters, shaping later seismic preparedness.
1293 earthquake strikes Kamakura, Kanagawa
1328day.year

William of Ockham, the Franciscan Minister-General Michael of Cesena, and two other Franciscan leaders secretly leave Avignon, fearing a death sentence from Pope John XXII.

William of Ockham and other Franciscan leaders secretly fled Avignon to escape a papal death sentence.
On May 26, 1328, philosopher William of Ockham, Michael of Cesena, and fellow Franciscans escaped from Avignon. Fearing condemnation and execution by Pope John XXII, they slipped away under cover of darkness. This flight marked a significant clash between the Franciscan order and papal authority over property and poverty debates. Ockham's subsequent writings in exile laid the groundwork for nominalist philosophy and challenges to church dogma. Their escape underscored tensions within the medieval church and the growing call for reform. The event influenced later scholars and foreshadowed the Reformation's questioning of ecclesiastical power.
1328 William of Ockham Franciscan Michael of Cesena Avignon Pope John XXII
1538day.year

Geneva expels John Calvin and his followers from the city. Calvin lives in exile in Strasbourg for the next three years.

John Calvin and his followers were expelled from Geneva, leading him into exile in Strasbourg.
On May 26, 1538, the government of Geneva voted to exile reformer John Calvin and his followers. Disputes over church governance and strict moral regulations led to Calvin's departure. He relocated to Strasbourg, where he continued his work and refined his theological ideas. During his exile, Calvin forged key alliances and wrote influential treatises on church discipline. His time in Strasbourg prepared him for his eventual return to Geneva in 1541. Calvin's expulsion highlighted the turbulent origins of the Protestant Reformation in Europe.
1538 Geneva John Calvin Strasbourg
1573day.year

The Battle of Haarlemmermeer, a naval engagement in the Eighty Years' War.

A naval battle was fought on Haarlemmermeer lake during the Eighty Years' War.
On May 26, 1573, Dutch rebel forces engaged the Spanish navy on the waters of Haarlemmermeer. The confrontation was part of the larger struggle for Dutch independence from Habsburg Spain. Using small, maneuverable vessels, the Dutch aimed to disrupt Spanish supply lines. Although details of the battle remain obscure, it exemplified the innovative use of inland waterways. The conflict on Haarlemmermeer contributed to the prolonged resistance that led to the Dutch Republic's emergence. Naval engagements like this one underscored the strategic importance of the Netherlands' geography.
1573 Battle of Haarlemmermeer Eighty Years' War
1637day.year

Pequot War: A combined English and Mohegan force under John Mason attacks a village in Connecticut, massacring approximately 500 Pequots.

English and Mohegan forces attacked a Pequot village in Connecticut, massacring around 500 inhabitants.
On May 26, 1637, Captain John Mason led English colonists and Mohegan allies against a Pequot fortification at Mystic, Connecticut. The assault resulted in the massacre of an estimated 500 Pequot men, women, and children. Utilizing coordinated musket fire and set fires, the attackers overwhelmed the village quickly. This brutal engagement marked a turning point in the Pequot War and colonial-Native American relations. The victory significantly weakened the Pequot tribe's power and opened the region for further English settlement. The tragedy at Mystic remains a contentious and somber chapter in early American history.
1637 Pequot War Mohegan John Mason Connecticut massacring Pequots
1644day.year

Portuguese Restoration War: Portuguese and Spanish forces both claim victory in the Battle of Montijo.

Both Portuguese and Spanish forces claimed victory at the Battle of Montijo during the Portuguese Restoration War.
By May 26, 1644, the Portuguese Restoration War had entered its fourth year. The Battle of Montijo saw Portuguese cavalry launch a surprise attack on Spanish forces deep in Spain. Despite heavy fighting, both sides claimed victory: the Portuguese for driving the Spanish back and the Spanish for inflicting significant losses. The contest demonstrated the skill and determination of the Portuguese army under King John IV. Though the battle did not end the war, it provided a much-needed boost to Portuguese morale. Historians regard Montijo as a symbol of the emerging Portuguese national identity. The conflict would continue until Spain formally recognized Portuguese independence in 1668.
1644 Portuguese Restoration War Battle of Montijo
1736day.year

The Battle of Ackia is fought near the present site of Tupelo, Mississippi. British and Chickasaw soldiers repel a French and Choctaw attack on the then-Chickasaw village of Ackia.

British and Chickasaw forces repelled a French and Choctaw attack at the Battle of Ackia near present-day Tupelo, securing Chickasaw territory.
On May 26, 1736, British colonial authorities and their Chickasaw allies defended the fortified village of Ackia against a combined French and Choctaw force. The battle was part of ongoing competition between France and Britain for influence in North America. Chickasaw warriors used well-constructed earthworks and fortified defenses to withstand repeated assaults. French troops under Captain Étienne de Perier suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat. The victory solidified the Chickasaw alliance with the British and protected vital trade routes. Though relatively small in scale, the Battle of Ackia had significant impact on regional power dynamics during the colonial era.
1736 Battle of Ackia Tupelo, Mississippi Chickasaw Choctaw