June 14

Events

1158day.year

The city of Munich is founded by Henry the Lion on the banks of the river Isar.

In 1158, Henry the Lion founded Munich on the banks of the Isar River, marking the birth of what would become Bavaria's iconic capital.
Henry the Lion of the Welf dynasty selected the Isar River site for its strategic location and potential for trade. The founding of München was recorded in a document issued on June 14, 1158, representing the city's first historic mention. In subsequent years, the settlement received market rights and defensive privileges that attracted merchants and settlers. Under the Wittelsbach dynasty, Munich expanded into a thriving commercial and political center. By the early modern period, it had grown into the capital of Bavaria, renowned for its architecture, culture, and festivals. Modern Munich still celebrates its medieval origins through traditions like Oktoberfest and the preservation of Gothic landmarks.
1158 Munich Henry the Lion Isar
1216day.year

First Barons' War: Prince Louis of France takes the city of Winchester, abandoned by John, King of England, and soon conquers over half of the kingdom.

In 1216, amid the First Barons' War, Prince Louis of France captured the abandoned city of Winchester, gaining control over a large part of England.
In 1216, rebel English barons disillusioned with King John's rule invited Prince Louis of France to press their grievances. On June 14, Louis marched into Winchester, finding the royal forces evacuated and the city undefended. This victory allowed him to establish a foothold in southern England and win the allegiance of many discontented nobles. Within weeks, French-led forces controlled over half of the kingdom’s key towns and forts. The occupation of Winchester highlighted the weakness of King John’s authority after the sealing of the Magna Carta. Although Louis ultimately failed to secure the English crown, these events demonstrated the barons’ willingness to challenge monarchy through foreign intervention.
1216 First Barons' War Louis of France Winchester John, King of England kingdom
1276day.year

While in exile in Fuzhou, away from the advancing Mongol invaders, the remnants of the Song dynasty court hold the coronation ceremony for Emperor Duanzong.

In 1276, exiled from the Mongol advance, the remaining Song dynasty court in Fuzhou held the coronation of Emperor Duanzong, sustaining imperial authority in southern China.
In the face of the Mongol onslaught sweeping through northern China, the Song dynasty court retreated to Fuzhou in the south. There, on June 14, 1276, officials performed a coronation ceremony for Zhao Shi, who became Emperor Duanzong. This act preserved the imperial lineage and asserted Song sovereignty even as northern territories fell. From their southern stronghold, the court coordinated naval expeditions to defend remaining provinces. Duanzong’s reign was characterized by efforts to stabilize government finances and rally loyalist support. His tenure would last only a few years before the Mongol conquest of the Southern Song in 1279.
1276 Fuzhou Mongol invaders Song dynasty Emperor Duanzong
1285day.year

Second Mongol invasion of Vietnam: Forces led by Prince Trần Quang Khải of the Trần dynasty destroy most of the invading Mongol naval fleet in a battle at Chuong Duong.

During the Second Mongol invasion of Vietnam in 1285, Vietnamese forces under Prince Trần Quang Khải annihilated the Mongol fleet at Chuong Duong, securing their homeland.
In 1285, Kublai Khan's Yuan forces launched a second campaign to conquer Đại Việt under the Trần dynasty. Vietnamese Prince Trần Quang Khải chose to engage the invaders at Chuong Duong, a strategic riverine location. On June 14, local forces executed ambush tactics that annihilated the Mongol fleet on the Red River. The dramatic victory halted the invasion and safeguarded the kingdom's independence. It showcased the effectiveness of guerrilla-style river warfare against a numerically superior foe. The triumph at Chuong Duong remains a celebrated symbol of Vietnamese resistance and military acumen.
1285 Second Mongol invasion of Vietnam Trần Quang Khải Trần dynasty Mongol
1287day.year

Kublai Khan defeats the force of Nayan and other traditionalist Borjigin princes in East Mongolia and Manchuria.

In 1287, Kublai Khan crushed a rebellion led by Prince Nayan in East Mongolia and Manchuria, consolidating his authority over the Mongol Empire.
In 1287, Prince Nayan, a member of the Borjigin clan, rebelled against his cousin Kublai Khan's authority in East Mongolia and Manchuria. On June 14, imperial forces loyal to Kublai engaged the rebels in a decisive battle. Employing superior tactics and siege weaponry, Kublai’s army crushed Nayan’s forces and eliminated the threat. The defeat reinforced the Great Khan’s dominance and dissuaded other aristocrats from uprising. This event underscored the challenges of maintaining unity across the vast Mongol Empire. Kublai’s victory solidified his transition from traditional Mongol leader to a centralized imperial ruler.
1287 Kublai Khan Borjigin Mongolia Manchuria
1381day.year

Richard II of England meets leaders of the Peasants' Revolt at Mile End. The Tower of London is stormed by rebels who enter without resistance.

On June 14, 1381, during the Peasants' Revolt, King Richard II met the rebels at Mile End as insurgents stormed the Tower of London without resistance.
On June 14, 1381, the Peasants' Revolt reached its peak as insurgents entered London and confronted the young King Richard II at Mile End. Spurred by high taxes and social grievances, tens of thousands of peasants and artisans marched from rural counties to the capital. At Mile End, Richard II personally negotiated with rebel leaders, granting concessions that had never been offered by his predecessors. Meanwhile, rebels without resistance occupied the Tower of London, seizing arms and liberating prisoners. This dramatic breach exposed the vulnerability of royal strongholds and the rising political voice of commoners. Although the promises made would later be reversed, the events of that day marked a turning point in medieval English society.
1381 Richard II of England Peasants' Revolt Mile End Tower of London
1404day.year

Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr, having declared himself Prince of Wales, allies himself with the French against King Henry IV of England.

In 1404, Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr, having declared himself Prince of Wales, forged an alliance with France against King Henry IV of England.
By 1404, Owain Glyndŵr had established himself as a formidable leader of the Welsh uprising against English rule. On June 14, he secured a critical alliance with King Charles VI of France, formalizing support for the Welsh cause. The treaty provided Glyndŵr with French troops, supplies, and recognition of his title as Prince of Wales. This diplomatic achievement elevated the conflict from a regional revolt to an international struggle. Glyndŵr convened his own parliament and issued laws, modeling his movement as a sovereign state. Although the alliance would not ultimately ensure victory, it intensified pressure on King Henry IV and inspired future generations of Welsh patriots.
1404 Owain Glyndŵr Prince of Wales Henry IV of England
1618day.year

Joris Veseler prints the first Dutch newspaper Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c. in Amsterdam (approximate date).

Around 1618, printer Joris Veseler published the first Dutch newspaper, Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c., in Amsterdam, pioneering early journalism in Europe.
In and around 1618, Joris Veseler introduced the Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c. in Amsterdam, often recognized as the first regular Dutch newspaper. This weekly gazette compiled foreign news, political dispatches, and commercial information for a growing readership of merchants and officials. Printed using movable type, it represented a significant advancement in the dissemination of information across Europe. Veseler's publication set a template for combining international correspondence with local reports, marking a shift toward timelier news coverage. The success of this early newspaper spurred the rapid emergence of similar journals in other European cities. This innovation laid the groundwork for the modern European press and the public sphere.
1618 Courante uyt Italien, Duytslandt, &c. Amsterdam
1645day.year

English Civil War: Battle of Naseby: Twelve thousand Royalist forces are beaten by fifteen thousand Parliamentarian soldiers.

On June 14, 1645, Parliamentarian forces decisively defeated the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby during the English Civil War.
The Battle of Naseby, fought on June 14, 1645, proved the turning point of the English Civil War. General Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell led approximately 15,000 Parliamentarian troops against 12,000 Royalist soldiers under King Charles I’s commanders. Superior discipline and coordinated infantry and cavalry charges enabled the Roundheads to rout the Royalist army. The victory resulted in the capture of the King’s personal correspondence, exposing his alliances with foreign powers. This blow shattered Royalist momentum and undermined Charles I’s credibility. In the aftermath, Parliament gained the strategic initiative that would eventually lead to the monarchy’s temporary overthrow.
1645 English Civil War Battle of Naseby Royalist Parliamentarian
1658day.year

Franco-Spanish War: Turenne and the French army win a decisive victory over the Spanish at the battle of the Dunes.

In 1658, Marshal Turenne led the French to a decisive victory over Spain at the Battle of the Dunes during the Franco-Spanish War.
On June 14, 1658, the Battle of the Dunes unfolded near Dunkirk as part of the Franco-Spanish War. Marshal Turenne commanded French forces, supported by English troops under Oliver Cromwell’s alliance. They launched a coordinated assault against fortified Spanish positions on the coastal dunes. The combined army’s superior tactics and naval bombardment overwhelmed the defenders. The triumph forced Spain to negotiate and led to the capture of Dunkirk by France. This engagement showcased the evolving nature of coalition warfare and cemented Turenne’s reputation as one of Europe’s greatest military strategists.
1658 Franco-Spanish War Turenne battle of the Dunes
1690day.year

King William III of England (William of Orange) lands in Ireland to confront the former King James II.

In 1690, William III of England (William of Orange) landed in Ireland to challenge the deposed King James II, marking a decisive moment in the Williamite War in Ireland.
On June 14, 1690, King William III of England landed at Carrickfergus, Ireland, to confront the deposed King James II. The landing marked the opening of the Williamite War in Ireland, part of the wider struggle following the Glorious Revolution. William's forces aimed to secure Protestant rule over Ireland and to strengthen his claim to the English throne. Despite difficult weather and supply shortages, the Orange forces quickly established a foothold on Irish soil. This campaign set the stage for the Battle of the Boyne in July, a pivotal clash that determined Ireland's political and religious future.
1690 William III of England King James II
1775day.year

American Revolutionary War: the Continental Army is established by the Continental Congress, marking the birth of the United States Armed Forces.

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Continental Army, laying the foundation for the United States Armed Forces.
On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army under General George Washington. This act unified the colonial militias into a single force to fight British rule during the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Army became the precursor to the modern United States Army, setting standards for organization and command. By centralizing resources and leadership, Congress aimed to strengthen colonial resistance and boost morale. The establishment of the Continental Army marked a turning point in American history and in the evolution of national defense.
1775 American Revolutionary War Continental Army Continental Congress United States Armed Forces