844day.year
Louis II is crowned as king of Italy at Rome by pope Sergius II.
Louis II, grandson of Emperor Lothair I, was crowned King of Italy by Pope Sergius II at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
On June 15, 844, in a ceremony at Old St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Sergius II placed the iron crown of Lombardy upon Louis II's head, affirming his authority over the Italian kingdom. Louis II, a Carolingian prince, inherited the contested throne after his father's death and relied on papal support to legitimize his rule. The coronation strengthened ties between the papacy and the Carolingian dynasty at a time of ongoing dynastic struggles. It also marked a renewal of the imperial tradition in Italy following years of regional fragmentation. Louis II went on to campaign against Saracen raiders in southern Italy, seeking to reinforce his status as defender of Christendom.
844
Louis II
Italy
Rome
Sergius II
1215day.year
King John of England puts his seal to Magna Carta.
King John of England affixed his seal to the Magna Carta, granting liberties that laid the groundwork for constitutional governance.
On June 15, 1215, at Runnymede near Windsor, King John sealed the Magna Carta under pressure from rebellious barons. This charter of liberties limited royal authority by affirming protections for the church and the realm's freemen. It introduced the idea that the king was subject to the law, a principle that would resonate through centuries of legal tradition. Although many clauses addressed feudal grievances, its enduring legacy rests on clauses guaranteeing due process and trial by one's peers. The Magna Carta's symbolism has made it an icon of individual rights and constitutional limits on power. Over time, its provisions influenced legal systems around the world, including the United States Constitution.
1215
John of England
seal
Magna Carta
1246day.year
With the death of Frederick II, Duke of Austria, the Babenberg dynasty ends in Austria.
The death of Frederick II, Duke of Austria, ended the Babenberg dynasty and triggered a power struggle in Central Europe.
On June 15, 1246, Frederick II, duke of Austria and Styria, died in battle against Bohemian forces at the Leitha River. His untimely death without heirs brought the venerable Babenberg line to an end after nearly two centuries of rule. This dynastic extinction led to intense political turmoil as neighboring powers, including Hungary and Bohemia, vied for control of the Austrian lands. The subsequent interregnum set the stage for the rise of the Habsburgs, who would later become Europe's dominant dynasty. Frederick's reign had been marked by efforts to consolidate his territories and promote economic development. The void left by his passing reshaped the political map of High Medieval Europe.
1246
Frederick II, Duke of Austria
Babenberg dynasty
1310day.year
The Tiepolo conspiracy, seeking to seize power in the Republic of Venice, is thwarted after bloody street clashes in Venice. The suppression of the revolt will lead to the creation of the Council of Ten.
A failed coup by the Tiepolo family in Venice was crushed, leading to the formation of the powerful Council of Ten.
On June 15, 1310, the Tiepolo conspiracy, led by members of Venice's noble Tiepolo family, erupted in violent street clashes across the city. The plot aimed to overthrow the ruling doge and seize power in the Republic of Venice. Loyalist forces swiftly suppressed the rebels, executing or exiling the key conspirators. In the aftermath, the Senate established the Council of Ten, a powerful security tribunal tasked with preventing future insurrections. This new body quickly became one of the most influential organs of Venetian government. The events highlighted the fragile balance of power within the patriciate and the city's commitment to its republican institutions.
1310
Tiepolo conspiracy
Republic of Venice
Council of Ten
1520day.year
Pope Leo X threatens to excommunicate Martin Luther in Exsurge Domine.
On this day in 1520, Pope Leo X issued the papal bull Exsurge Domine, warning Martin Luther of excommunication over his reformist teachings.
Exsurge Domine was a formal decree by Pope Leo X condemning Luther’s doctrine and demanding recantation within sixty days. The bull criticized Luther’s challenges to church authority and threatened him with expulsion from the Catholic community. Luther responded defiantly, burning the papal bull and deepening the rift that sparked the Protestant Reformation. European princes and theologians were drawn into the dispute, reshaping the continent’s religious landscape. The confrontation highlighted tensions between emerging humanist thought and established ecclesiastical power. Exsurge Domine energized both supporters and opponents of reform, setting the stage for decades of religious conflict and debate.
1520
Pope Leo X
excommunicate
Martin Luther
Exsurge Domine
1804day.year
New Hampshire approves the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratifying the document.
New Hampshire became the final state to ratify the Twelfth Amendment on June 15, 1804, reforming the presidential election process.
The Twelfth Amendment addressed flaws in the original electoral system revealed by the election of 1800. It established separate ballots for president and vice president, preventing ties like that between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. New Hampshire’s ratification provided the necessary three-fourths majority to amend the Constitution. This change streamlined the electoral procedure and reduced political rivalry within party tickets. The amendment remains a cornerstone of American electoral law, guiding every presidential contest since its adoption. Its passage exemplified the young nation’s ability to correct systemic issues through constitutional means.
1804
New Hampshire
Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution
1846day.year
The Oregon Treaty extends the border between the United States and British North America, established by the Treaty of 1818, westward to the Pacific Ocean.
The 1846 Oregon Treaty extended the U.S.–British North America boundary along the 49th parallel to the Pacific, shaping the modern U.S.-Canada border.
Negotiated amid rising tensions over territory west of the Rocky Mountains, the Oregon Treaty built on the Treaty of 1818’s joint occupation agreement. By drawing the northern boundary at the 49th parallel, both nations avoided potential conflict. The settlement granted the United States the vast Oregon Territory, while Britain retained what became British Columbia. This diplomatic compromise reflected a balance of power and mutual desire for peaceful expansion. Surveys and demarcation followed, though disputes persisted over specific islands and waterways. The Oregon Treaty remains a landmark in North American diplomatic history, defining one of the world’s longest undefended borders.
1846
Oregon Treaty
British North America
Treaty of 1818
1920day.year
Following the 1920 Schleswig plebiscites, Northern Schleswig is transferred from Germany to Denmark.
Northern Schleswig transfers from Germany to Denmark after the 1920 Schleswig plebiscites.
After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles mandated plebiscites to determine the future of the Schleswig region.
On June 15, 1920, Northern Schleswig officially rejoined Denmark following a majority vote in the first zone.
The peaceful transfer resolved a long-standing dispute and reshaped the cultural landscape along the border.
Danish speakers in the region celebrated as their homeland expanded northward.
This referendum became an early example of self-determination in post-war Europe.
1920
1920 Schleswig plebiscites
1944day.year
In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America.
The CCF under Tommy Douglas wins the Saskatchewan election, forming North America's first socialist government.
In the June 15, 1944 Saskatchewan general election, the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) led by Tommy Douglas secured a historic victory.
Their campaign focused on social welfare reforms, public healthcare, and improved labor rights amid wartime challenges.
This marked the first time a socialist party formed a government in North America, reshaping political expectations.
Douglas's administration introduced pioneering programs that laid the groundwork for Canada's universal healthcare system.
The election transformed Saskatchewan's political landscape and cemented Douglas's legacy as the 'Father of Medicare.'
Saskatchewan general election
CCF
Tommy Douglas
socialist
1977day.year
After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain.
Spain holds its first democratic elections since Franco's dictatorship, marking a new era of governance.
Following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, Spain began its transition to democracy known as the 'Spanish transition'.
On June 15, 1977, citizens voted in their first free elections in over four decades.
Political parties from across the spectrum competed openly for seats in the new Cortes Generales.
A voter turnout exceeding 78% demonstrated the public's eagerness for democratic reforms.
The election results led to drafting a new constitution and integration into the European Community.
This landmark vote signaled the definitive end of authoritarian rule in Spain.
1977
Francisco Franco
elections
Spain
1992day.year
The United States Supreme Court rules in United States v. Álvarez-Machaín that it is permissible for the United States to forcibly extradite suspects in foreign countries and bring them to the United States for trial, without approval from those other countries.
The U.S. Supreme Court rules that suspects may be forcibly extradited from foreign countries without their home nation's consent.
In United States v. Álvarez-Machaín (June 15, 1992), the U.S. Supreme Court held that federal agents could legally abduct foreign nationals for trial in American courts.
The case involved the kidnapping of Mexican physician Humberto Álvarez-Machaín to face charges in connection with a DEA agent's murder.
By a 6-3 decision, the Court found no treaty provision explicitly prohibiting such abductions, stirring international controversy.
Critics argued the ruling undermined sovereignty and international law, while supporters emphasized its importance for pursuing fugitives.
The decision has continued to influence debates on cross-border law enforcement and extradition norms.
1992
United States Supreme Court
United States v. Álvarez-Machaín