May 28

A solar eclipse occurs, as predicted by the Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Cyaxares in the Battle of the Eclipse, leading to a truce. This is one of the cardinal dates from which other dates can be calculated. It is also the earliest event of which the precise date is known.

In 585 BC, Greek philosopher Thales predicts a solar eclipse that interrupts the Battle of the Eclipse between Alyattes and Cyaxares, leading to a truce.

Battle of Hulao: Li Shimin, the son of the Chinese emperor Gaozu, defeats the numerically superior forces of Dou Jiande near the Hulao Pass (Henan). This victory decides the outcome of the civil war that followed the Sui dynasty's collapse in favour of the Tang dynasty.

In 621, Prince Li Shimin wins the Battle of Hulao Pass, crushing Dou Jiande’s larger army and securing a decisive victory for the Tang dynasty.

Avignonet massacre: A group of Cathars, with the probable connivance of Count Raymond VII of Toulouse, murdered the inquisitor William Arnaud and eleven of his companions.

In 1242, Cathar sympathizers ambush and kill inquisitor William Arnaud and his companions at Avignonet, deepening the conflict between heretics and the Catholic Church.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, declares the marriage of King Henry VIII of England to Anne Boleyn valid.

On May 28, 1533, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer validates King Henry VIII’s marriage to Anne Boleyn, a pivotal act in England’s break with the Catholic Church.

The Spanish Armada, with 130 ships and 30,000 men, sets sail from Lisbon, Portugal, heading for the English Channel. (It will take until May 30 for all ships to leave port.)

In 1588, the Spanish Armada sets sail from Lisbon with over 130 ships and 30,000 men, aiming to invade England and reverse Protestant gains.

English Civil War: Bolton Massacre by Royalist troops under the command of James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby.

On May 28, 1644, Royalist forces under the Earl of Derby massacre civilians and garrison troops in Bolton during the English Civil War.

French and Indian War: In the first engagement of the war, Virginia militia under the 22-year-old Lieutenant colonel George Washington defeat a French reconnaissance party in the Battle of Jumonville Glen in what is now Fayette County in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In 1754, a young Lieutenant Colonel George Washington leads Virginia militia to victory against a French reconnaissance party at the Battle of Jumonville Glen.

In Guadeloupe, 400 rebellious slaves, led by Louis Delgrès, blow themselves up rather than submit to Napoleon's troops.

In 1802, Louis Delgrès and 400 rebellious slaves in Guadeloupe choose mass suicide by explosion over surrender to Napoleon’s forces.

U.S. President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act which denies Native Americans their land rights and forcibly relocates them.

On May 28, 1830, President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, authorizing the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands.