653day.year
Pope Martin I is arrested and taken to Constantinople, due to his opposition to monothelitism.
Pope Martin I was arrested and taken to Constantinople in 653 for opposing the monothelite doctrine.
Pope Martin I, serving as Bishop of Rome, firmly rejected the monothelite heresy that claimed Christ had only one will. This doctrine was supported by Byzantine Emperor Constans II as a compromise with Eastern Christians. In 653, imperial forces apprehended Martin in Rome and transported him to Constantinople under strict guard. He faced trial, imprisonment, and harsh conditions for challenging imperial religious policy. Martin’s steadfastness affirmed the independence of the papacy and its authority over doctrine. His arrest deepened the rift between the Eastern and Western Churches and set precedents for future papal-Byzantine relations.
653
Pope Martin I
monothelitism
1397day.year
The Kalmar Union is formed under the rule of Margaret I of Denmark.
In 1397, Queen Margaret I united Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under a single monarch through the Kalmar Union.
After years of diplomatic maneuvering, Margaret I of Denmark secured the thrones of Norway and Sweden to form the Kalmar Union at a meeting in Kalmar. The union aimed to counter German influence in the Baltic and strengthen the Scandinavian kingdoms under her regency. It established a personal union where each realm retained its laws and customs but shared a common ruler. Over the next century, the union experienced internal conflicts, power struggles, and attempts at centralization. The arrangement fostered economic cooperation and joint defense, notably during conflicts with the Hanseatic League. Although it lasted until the early 16th century, the Kalmar Union left a lasting legacy on Scandinavian political identity.
1397
Kalmar Union
Margaret I of Denmark
1579day.year
Sir Francis Drake claims a land he calls Nova Albion (modern California) for England.
In 1579, Sir Francis Drake landed on the California coast and claimed the territory of Nova Albion for England.
During his circumnavigation of the globe, Sir Francis Drake made landfall on the Pacific coast, identifying it as a strategic location for future English endeavors. He named the region Nova Albion, meaning "New Britain," and claimed sovereignty in the name of Queen Elizabeth I. Drake’s landing occurred near what is now Drakes Bay, where he established a harbor and resupplied his ships. The claim challenged Spanish dominance in the Americas and hinted at England’s imperial ambitions. No permanent settlement followed immediately, but the proclamation laid groundwork for later colonial interests. Drake’s voyage boosted English national pride and maritime reputation in the late 16th century.
1579
Sir Francis Drake
Nova Albion
California
England
1773day.year
Cúcuta, Colombia, is founded by Juana Rangel de Cuéllar.
The city of Cúcuta in Colombia was founded by Juana Rangel de Cuéllar, marking an important urban development in the region.
In 1773, Juana Rangel de Cuéllar established the city of San José de Cúcuta in the eastern Andes foothills. As a pioneering settler, she donated land and planned the town’s streets, public plaza, and church. Cúcuta grew quickly as a hub for agriculture, connecting Andean producers with Caribbean markets. Its strategic position near the Venezuelan border fostered cross-border trade and cultural exchange. Over time, the city played a central role in the independence movements of Colombia and Venezuela. Cúcuta’s founding illustrated the entrepreneurial spirit of colonial landowners and the Spanish Crown’s push to populate frontier regions. Today, it remains a vibrant city known for its deep history and dynamic cross-border ties.
1773
Cúcuta
Juana Rangel de Cuéllar
1789day.year
In France, the Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly.
Amid rising tensions, France's Third Estate boldly proclaimed itself the National Assembly, challenging royal authority.
On June 17, 1789, representatives of the Third Estate at the Estates-General in Versailles broke away from the traditional order. Frustrated by an unfair voting system that favored the clergy and nobility, they declared they represented the true will of the French people. Renaming themselves the National Assembly, they took a decisive stand against King Louis XVI’s absolute power. Their act of defiance set in motion the Tennis Court Oath and the storming of the Bastille. The new assembly began drafting reforms based on liberty, equality, and citizenship. This groundbreaking move marked the beginning of the French Revolution and the rise of modern representative government. The National Assembly’s formation remains a defining moment in the history of democracy.
1789
France
Third Estate
National Assembly
1794day.year
Foundation of Anglo-Corsican Kingdom.
The Anglo-Corsican Kingdom was established as a unique constitutional monarchy under British protection on Corsica.
On June 17, 1794, Corsican patriots joined with Britain to form the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom after deposing Pasquale Paoli. King George III became sovereign of the new realm, appointing Henry Foster as viceroy to administer a hybrid constitution blending British law with Corsican customs. The arrangement aimed to counter French Revolutionary influence in the Mediterranean and secure crucial naval bases. Despite hopes for stability, the kingdom faced internal divisions and military pressure from France. By 1796, British forces withdrew, and Corsica returned to French control, ending the short-lived experiment. The Anglo-Corsican Kingdom stands as a rare example of British continental rule and a testament to the turbulent politics of the Revolutionary era.
1794
Anglo-Corsican Kingdom
1795day.year
The burghers of Swellendam expel the Dutch East India Company magistrate and declare a republic.
Citizens of Swellendam ousted the Dutch East India Company magistrate and proclaimed their own republic in a rare colonial revolt.
On June 17, 1795, burghers in the Cape Colony town of Swellendam rebelled against the Dutch East India Company’s authority over heavy taxation and corruption. They expelled the company magistrate, seized control of local government, and declared the short-lived Republic of Swellendam. Led by elected community leaders, they drafted provisional laws and sought recognition from the Dutch government. The uprising inspired similar actions in nearby Graaff-Reinet, challenging corporate rule in frontier settlements. Within months, British forces occupied the Cape, ending Swellendam’s bid for autonomy. This bold revolt highlighted settler resistance to distant trading monopolies and foreshadowed broader colonial unrest in southern Africa.
1795
Swellendam
Dutch East India Company
1839day.year
In the Kingdom of Hawaii, Kamehameha III issues the edict of toleration which gives Roman Catholics the freedom to worship in the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaii Catholic Church and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace are established as a result.
King Kamehameha III proclaimed an edict of toleration, granting Roman Catholics freedom to worship and leading to the establishment of the Hawaii Catholic Church.
On June 17, 1839, Kamehameha III signed the Edict of Toleration, officially ending the ban on Roman Catholic practice in the Hawaiian Kingdom. This landmark decree reversed earlier prohibitions enforced under Protestant missionary influence and recognized religious freedom for all faiths. Following the edict, Catholic missionaries established the Hawaii Catholic Church and consecrated the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States. The decision strengthened diplomatic ties with France and other European powers by demonstrating respect for diverse beliefs. It also signaled the Hawaiian monarchy’s commitment to modern legal reforms and civil liberties. The Edict of Toleration remains a foundational moment in Hawaii’s religious and cultural history, celebrating inclusivity and faith.
1839
Kingdom of Hawaii
Kamehameha III
edict of toleration
Roman Catholics
Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii Catholic Church
Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
1898day.year
The United States Navy Hospital Corps is established.
In 1898, the United States Navy established the Navy Hospital Corps to provide dedicated medical services to sailors and Marines.
On June 17, 1898, amid the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Navy created the Hospital Corps to ensure skilled medical care aboard ships and at naval stations. Prior to its formation, medical duties were often performed by untrained personnel. The new corps consisted of enlisted members trained in first aid, surgery assistance, and sanitation protocols. This professionalization significantly improved survival rates among wounded and ill sailors. Over time, the Navy Hospital Corps evolved into a highly respected medical branch, playing crucial roles in major conflicts of the 20th century. Its members earned praise for bravery and skill in both combat and humanitarian missions. Today, Hospital Corpsmen continue to serve alongside Marines and Navy personnel around the globe.
1898
United States Navy Hospital Corps
1932day.year
Bonus Army: Around a thousand World War I veterans amass at the United States Capitol as the U.S. Senate considers a bill that would give them certain benefits.
Nearly a thousand World War I veterans, known as the Bonus Army, converge on the U.S. Capitol to demand early bonus payments.
On June 17, 1932, nearly a thousand disillusioned World War I veterans marched to the United States Capitol to press Congress for early redemption of service bonus certificates. As the Senate debated relief legislation, the veterans established a protest camp on the National Mall, living in makeshift shelters. Their presence highlighted the struggles of the Great Depression and the plight of unemployed servicemen. Although the bonus bill ultimately failed, the Bonus Army’s actions galvanized public support for veterans’ benefits. The episode influenced future policy and remained a powerful symbol of grassroots political protest during economic hardship.
1932
Bonus Army
United States Capitol
U.S. Senate
1939day.year
Last public guillotining in France: Eugen Weidmann, a convicted murderer, is executed in Versailles outside the Saint-Pierre prison.
France carries out its last public guillotining by executing murderer Eugen Weidmann outside Versailles.
On June 17, 1939, France witnessed its final public execution when convicted killer Eugen Weidmann was guillotined outside the Saint-Pierre prison in Versailles. Hundreds of spectators watched as the blade fell, a spectacle that provoked widespread public discomfort and criticism. The shock of the event led authorities to ban executions on public streets, moving future capital punishments behind prison walls. Weidmann's death eventually contributed to national debates on the morality of the death penalty. France would abolish capital punishment in 1981, but this last public guillotining remains a historical milestone in the country's justice system.
1939
Eugen Weidmann
Versailles
1944day.year
Iceland declares independence from Denmark and becomes a republic.
Iceland proclaims its independence from Denmark and establishes itself as a republic.
On June 17, 1944, Iceland formally declared independence from Denmark, becoming the Republic of Iceland. The peaceful ceremony in Reykjavik was attended by thousands and marked the culmination of a long-standing movement for sovereignty. British and American forces had occupied the island during World War II to protect it from Nazi aggression. Sveinn Björnsson was inaugurated as Iceland’s first president, chosen by the Althing, the nation's parliament. The event underscored Iceland's transition from a monarchy under Danish rule to a self-governing democratic state.
1944
Iceland
independence
republic