June 25

Events

524day.year

The Franks are defeated by the Burgundians in the Battle of Vézeronce.

In 524, the Burgundians defeat the Franks at the Battle of Vézeronce, halting Frankish expansion in southeastern Gaul.
The Battle of Vézeronce was fought in 524 between the Frankish Kingdom and the Burgundian Kingdom in southeastern Gaul. The Burgundians, led by King Gondemar I, achieved a decisive victory over the Frankish forces of King Chlodomer. This defeat marked a significant setback for Frankish ambitions in the region. Contemporary chronicles highlight the fierce combat and strategic importance of the battle. The outcome reinforced Burgundian control in Gaul for decades to come. The engagement is remembered as a pivotal moment in the early medieval history of the Frankish and Burgundian realms.
524 Franks Burgundians Battle of Vézeronce
841day.year

In the Battle of Fontenay-en-Puisaye, forces led by Charles the Bald and Louis the German defeat the armies of Lothair I of Italy and Pepin II of Aquitaine.

In 841, the armies of Charles the Bald and Louis the German defeat those of Lothair I and Pepin II at the Battle of Fontenay-en-Puisaye, shaping the future of the Carolingian Empire.
The Battle of Fontenay-en-Puisaye was a key engagement in the Carolingian civil wars following the death of Emperor Louis the Pious. On June 25, 841, the forces of Charles the Bald and Louis the German clashed with the troops of their brother Lothair I and Pepin II of Aquitaine. The victory for Charles and Louis secured their position and weakened Lothair’s claim to the imperial crown. The battlefield, located in Burgundy, witnessed fierce combat and high casualties on both sides. This triumph paved the way for the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which ultimately divided the Carolingian Empire among the three brothers. Historians regard Fontenay as a decisive moment that shaped the political boundaries of medieval Europe.
841 Battle of Fontenay-en-Puisaye Charles the Bald Louis the German Lothair I Pepin II of Aquitaine
1258day.year

War of Saint Sabas: In the Battle of Acre, the Venetians defeat a larger Genoese fleet sailing to relieve Acre.

In 1258, during the War of Saint Sabas, the Venetian fleet defeats a larger Genoese force at the Battle of Acre, securing Venetian dominance in Mediterranean trade.
The Battle of Acre on June 25, 1258, was a naval clash between Venice and Genoa as part of the War of Saint Sabas for control of Levantine trade. Venice dispatched a smaller but more agile fleet to intercept Genoese ships bound to relieve the Crusader-held city of Acre. Despite being outnumbered, Venetian commanders used superior tactics and seamanship to rout the Genoese squadron. The victory reinforced Venice’s maritime supremacy in the Eastern Mediterranean and disrupted Genoese ambitions. Control of Acre’s ports and trade routes was vital for the lucrative silk and spice commerce. This engagement exemplifies the fierce commercial rivalry among Italian maritime republics during the High Middle Ages.
1258 War of Saint Sabas Battle of Acre Venetians Genoese Acre
1530day.year

At the Diet of Augsburg the Augsburg Confession is presented to the Holy Roman Emperor by the Lutheran princes and Electors of Germany.

At the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, Lutheran princes present the Augsburg Confession to Emperor Charles V, codifying the beliefs of the Protestant Reformation.
The Diet of Augsburg was an imperial assembly called by Charles V to address growing religious tensions in the Holy Roman Empire. On June 25, 1530, fourteen princes and representatives of fourteen imperial cities delivered the Augsburg Confession, drafted by Philipp Melanchthon. This document outlined the core doctrines of Lutheranism in a clear, conciliatory tone intended for imperial authorities. It sought to demonstrate that Lutheran teachings aligned with the true faith of the early Church, while appealing for toleration and reform. Although Emperor Charles V rejected the Confession, it became the foundational statement of faith for Lutheran churches. The event marked a turning point in the Protestant Reformation and set the stage for decades of religious conflict.
1530 Diet of Augsburg Augsburg Confession Holy Roman Emperor Lutheran Electors
1658day.year

Spanish forces fail to retake Jamaica at the Battle of Rio Nuevo during the Anglo-Spanish War.

In 1658, Spanish forces attempt to recapture Jamaica but are defeated by the English at the Battle of Rio Nuevo during the Anglo-Spanish War.
The Battle of Rio Nuevo on June 25–27, 1658, was a major engagement in the Caribbean theater of the Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1660). Spanish troops landed on the northern coast of Jamaica aiming to oust the English settlers who had captured the island in 1655. English defenders, familiar with the terrain, fortified their positions along the Rio Nuevo stream and repelled multiple Spanish assaults. The Spanish suffered heavy casualties and failed to secure a beachhead, forcing their withdrawal by early July. This defeat ended Spain’s hopes of retaking Jamaica and solidified England’s colonial foothold in the Caribbean. The battle is remembered as one of the bloodiest encounters on the island during the 17th century.
1658 Spanish Jamaica Battle of Rio Nuevo Anglo-Spanish War
1678day.year

Venetian Elena Cornaro Piscopia is the first woman awarded a doctorate of philosophy when she graduates from the University of Padua.

In 1678, Elena Cornaro Piscopia becomes the first woman to receive a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Padua, breaking barriers in higher education.
Elena Cornaro Piscopia was a Venetian noblewoman renowned for her scholarly achievements in philosophy, mathematics, and languages. On June 25, 1678, she graduated from the University of Padua, earning the world’s first female Doctorate of Philosophy. Despite opposition due to her gender, her exceptional knowledge and patron support convinced the university authorities to award the degree. Her milestone became a symbol of women’s intellectual potential and challenged prevailing attitudes toward female education. Cornaro Piscopia’s thesis covered biblical scholarship, moral philosophy, and classical literature, showcasing her diverse erudition. Her legacy inspired future generations of women scholars across Europe.
1678 Venetian Elena Cornaro Piscopia doctorate of philosophy University of Padua
1741day.year

Maria Theresa is crowned Queen of Hungary.

Maria Theresa is crowned Queen of Hungary on June 25, 1741, strengthening her hold over the Habsburg dominions during the War of the Austrian Succession.
Following the death of her father, Emperor Charles VI, Maria Theresa faced challenges to her inheritance under Salic law. On June 25, 1741, she traveled to Pressburg to assume the crown of Hungary in a grand ceremony. The Hungarian Diet swore fealty to her, providing crucial military and political support against rivals including Frederick the Great of Prussia. Her coronation demonstrated her ability to rally her subjects and maintain the unity of the Habsburg realms. Throughout the War of the Austrian Succession, Hungary remained a steadfast ally, offering troops and resources. Maria Theresa’s reign ushered in significant administrative and educational reforms that shaped the Austrian state for decades.
1741 Maria Theresa Queen of Hungary
1786day.year

Gavriil Pribylov discovers St. George Island of the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea.

In 1786, Russian explorer Gavriil Pribylov discovers St. George Island in the Bering Sea, expanding Russian knowledge of the Pribilof Islands.
Gavriil Pribylov was a fur trader and seaman employed by Russian merchant companies seeking new sources of sea otter pelts. On June 25, 1786, sailing with his crew in search of breeding grounds, he came upon St. George Island in what is now Alaska. This discovery marked the first recorded European sighting of the Pribilof Islands. The islands proved rich in fur-bearing animals, triggering an economic boom in the Russian fur trade. Pribylov’s journals detail interactions with Indigenous Aleut communities and describe the island’s harsh but resourceful environment. The discovery played a critical role in Russian expansion across the North Pacific and shaped early Alaskan colonial history.
1786 Gavriil Pribylov St. George Island Pribilof Islands Bering Sea
1788day.year

Virginia becomes the tenth state to ratify the United States Constitution.

Virginia ratifies the United States Constitution as the tenth state on June 25, 1788, bolstering support for the new federal government.
Virginia’s ratification convention, held in Richmond, featured prominent figures such as James Madison and George Washington advocating for the Constitution. On June 25, 1788, delegates voted to join the Union, influenced by promises to add a Bill of Rights. As one of the most populous states, Virginia’s approval was pivotal in achieving the required nine-state threshold for the new government’s launch. The state’s decision helped quell Anti-Federalist concerns by ensuring protections for individual liberties. Following ratification, Virginia became a leader in shaping early federal policy, with Madison drafting much of the Bill of Rights. The milestone cemented the Constitution’s legitimacy and set the stage for American nationhood.
1788 Virginia state United States Constitution
1848day.year

A photograph of the June Days uprising becomes the first known instance of photojournalism.

In 1848, a photograph of the June Days uprising becomes the first known instance of photojournalism, capturing workers’ revolt in Paris.
The June Days uprising was a three-day workers’ revolt in Paris protesting the closure of National Workshops. On June 25, 1848, journalists used early calotype photography to record street scenes and barricades. One photograph from this event stands as the earliest example of photojournalism, conveying immediate and realistic views of social unrest. The image provided a powerful visual account, influencing public perception and future media coverage. At a time when newspapers relied on hand-drawn illustrations, photography offered a new level of authenticity. This innovation heralded a transformation in news reporting, laying groundwork for modern photojournalism and documentary practices.
1848 June Days uprising photojournalism
1876day.year

American Indian Wars: Battle of the Little Bighorn: 300 men of the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer are wiped out by 5,000 Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse.

On June 25, 1876, Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer and the entire 7th Cavalry were overwhelmed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn by a coalition of Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors.
Often called Custer's Last Stand, this pivotal clash saw roughly 300 U.S. troops decisively defeated by Native American forces led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse. News of the defeat stunned the American public and military establishment, shattering myths of invincibility on the frontier. The battle took place during the Great Sioux War, a series of conflicts over control of the northern Plains. It became a powerful symbol of Native American resistance to westward expansion. Today, the site is preserved as Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, offering visitors a place to reflect on this historic encounter.
1876 American Indian Wars Battle of the Little Bighorn U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer Lakota Cheyenne Arapaho Sitting Bull Crazy Horse
1900day.year

The Taoist monk Wang Yuanlu discovers the Dunhuang manuscripts, a cache of ancient texts that are of great historical and religious significance, in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, China.

In 1900, Taoist monk Wang Yuanlu uncovered a hidden cache of Dunhuang manuscripts in China's Mogao Caves, revealing priceless religious and historical texts.
While tending to the Mogao Caves, Wang Yuanlu discovered a sealed chamber filled with scrolls dating back over a millennium. The Dunhuang manuscripts include Buddhist sutras, Taoist writings, secular poetry, and historical records. Their preservation in the desert climate provided scholars with a unique window into medieval Chinese society and religion. The find sparked international scholarly interest, leading to expeditions that distributed parts of the collection worldwide. Debates over ownership and conservation continue to this day, highlighting the manuscripts' enduring cultural importance.
1900 Taoist Wang Yuanlu Dunhuang manuscripts Mogao Caves Dunhuang