813day.year
Byzantine emperor Michael I, under threat by conspiracies, abdicates in favor of his general Leo the Armenian, and becomes a monk (under the name Athanasius).
Amid conspiracies, Byzantine Emperor Michael I abdicates and retreats to monastic life as Athanasius, paving the way for General Leo the Armenian to take the throne.
Facing intrigues at the court, Emperor Michael I steps down on this day in 813.
He adopts the monastic name Athanasius and withdraws from imperial affairs.
His general, Leo the Armenian, is proclaimed the new emperor of Byzantium.
This peaceful transfer highlights the era's blending of political and religious authority.
Michael's resignation illustrates the vulnerability of rulers to factional plots.
Leo's reign marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Byzantine Empire.
813
Michael I
Leo the Armenian
monk
911day.year
Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy.
The Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between King Charles the Simple of West Francia and Viking leader Rollo grants land that becomes Normandy.
Amid persistent Viking raids, King Charles the Simple negotiates with Rollo to secure peace in 911.
On this day, they formalize the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte along the Epte River.
Charles cedes territory in northern France to Rollo in exchange for his loyalty.
Rollo pledges fealty and agrees to defend the realm against further Norse incursions.
This agreement lays the foundations for the Duchy of Normandy and a fusion of Frankish and Norse cultures.
The treaty's legacy shapes medieval European politics and ethnic landscapes.
911
Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte
Charles the Simple
Rollo
1174day.year
Baldwin IV, 13, becomes King of Jerusalem, with Raymond III, Count of Tripoli as regent and William of Tyre as chancellor.
Teenaged Baldwin IV ascends to the throne of Jerusalem with Raymond III as regent and chronicler William of Tyre at his side.
At just 13 years old, Baldwin IV is crowned King of Jerusalem in the tumultuous Crusader state.
Unable to rule alone, he relies on his cousin Raymond III of Tripoli as regent.
William of Tyre is appointed chancellor and records the young king's reign.
Baldwin's bout with leprosy and his court's politics test the fragile alliances in Outremer.
His reign influences the balance between Christian and Muslim powers in the Levant.
This day marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.
1174
Baldwin IV
King of Jerusalem
Raymond III, Count of Tripoli
William of Tyre
1346day.year
Charles IV, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, is elected King of the Romans.
Charles IV of Luxembourg, already King of Bohemia, is elected King of the Romans, solidifying his influence in the Holy Roman Empire.
On this day in 1346, the princes of the Holy Roman Empire choose Charles of Luxembourg as King of the Romans.
Already ruling Bohemia, Charles's election underscores his dynastic reach across Central Europe.
His ascent follows complex negotiations among electors balancing regional power.
As King of the Romans, he secures precedence for his future coronation as Holy Roman Emperor.
Charles later issues the Golden Bull of 1356, standardizing the imperial election process.
His reign shapes imperial governance and cements Luxembourg influence in European politics.
1346
Charles IV
Count of Luxembourg
King of Bohemia
King of the Romans
1476day.year
Giuliano della Rovere is appointed bishop of Coutances.
Future Pope Julius II, Giuliano della Rovere, is appointed bishop of Coutances, marking an important step in his rise within the Church.
Giuliano della Rovere, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, receives the bishopric of Coutances at a young age.
This appointment bolsters his ecclesiastical career and familial influence in the Curia.
As bishop, he oversees the diocese’s spiritual and administrative affairs in Normandy.
His tenure in Coutances enhances his reputation as a skilled churchman and politician.
He later becomes a cardinal and is elected Pope Julius II, patron of the Renaissance.
His future papacy leaves a lasting mark on art and church reform in 16th-century Italy.
1476
Giuliano della Rovere
Coutances
1789day.year
Jacques Necker is dismissed as France's Finance Minister sparking the Storming of the Bastille.
French finance minister Jacques Necker was dismissed, fueling public outrage that led to the Storming of the Bastille.
On July 11, 1789, King Louis XVI dismissed Jacques Necker, a popular reformer and financier. Necker’s removal ignited protests among Parisian citizens who viewed him as a defender of their rights. The ensuing unrest culminated in the storming of the Bastille three days later, marking the symbolic start of the French Revolution. This dismissal highlighted the fragile relationship between the monarchy and the public. It remains a pivotal moment showcasing the power of popular sentiment in reshaping the course of history.
1789
Jacques Necker
Storming of the Bastille
1796day.year
The United States takes possession of Detroit from Great Britain under terms of the Jay Treaty.
Under the Jay Treaty’s terms, the United States formally took possession of Detroit from Great Britain, reinforcing its sovereignty in the Old Northwest.
On July 11, 1796, American officials raised the U.S. flag over Detroit, marking its peaceful transfer under the Jay Treaty. Negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay in 1794, the agreement resolved lingering tensions following the Revolutionary War. British forces agreed to withdraw from several frontier forts, strengthening America’s control over the Old Northwest Territory. The event symbolized a step toward stable Anglo-American relations and facilitated westward expansion. It also affected Native American nations in the region, altering their political and territorial landscape.
1796
Detroit
Great Britain
Jay Treaty
1798day.year
The United States Marine Corps is re-established; they had been disbanded after the American Revolutionary War.
Congress re-established the United States Marine Corps, reviving the service that had been disbanded after the Revolutionary War.
On July 11, 1798, President John Adams signed legislation officially re-commissioning the U.S. Marine Corps. The move came amid rising tensions with France during the Quasi-War at sea. Authorized strength set the Marine Corps at 1,800 enlisted men and officers, providing security aboard naval vessels. This reestablishment laid the groundwork for the Corps’ future evolution and traditions. It marked a key moment in the formation of America’s permanent standing military. The modern U.S. Marine Corps traces its origins back to this act of Congress.
1798
United States Marine Corps
American Revolutionary War
1804day.year
A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
Amid a fierce political rivalry, Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
On July 11, 1804, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton met on the shores of the Hudson River at Weehawken Heights, New Jersey, to settle a personal and political feud. Burr shot Hamilton in the lower abdomen after Hamilton reportedly fired into the air. Hamilton succumbed to his injuries the next day, sending shockwaves through the young nation. The duel tarnished Burr’s career and intensified debates about honor and governance. It remains one of America’s most infamous political confrontations. The outcome underscored the volatile nature of early U.S. politics.
1804
A duel occurs
Vice President of the United States
Aaron Burr
Secretary of the Treasury
Alexander Hamilton
1893day.year
A revolution led by the liberal general and politician José Santos Zelaya takes over state power in Nicaragua.
In 1893, liberal General José Santos Zelaya led a coup that overthrew Nicaragua's government, ushering in his lengthy presidency.
On July 11, 1893, José Santos Zelaya, a liberal general and politician, launched a successful revolution in Nicaragua.
Rebel forces marched on Managua, toppling the conservative regime of President Roberto Sacasa.
Zelaya's uprising aimed to modernize the nation, reduce foreign influence, and promote liberal reforms.
His victory marked the beginning of a 16-year presidency characterized by infrastructure projects and political centralization.
Under Zelaya, Nicaragua pursued economic development, including railroad expansion and modernization of government institutions.
His administration, however, also faced criticism for authoritarian measures and conflicts with neighboring states.
The 1893 revolution reshaped Nicaragua's political landscape and set the stage for future struggles in Central America.
revolution
José Santos Zelaya
Nicaragua
1920day.year
In the East Prussian plebiscite the local populace decides to remain with Weimar Germany.
In 1920, East Prussian residents voted overwhelmingly to remain part of Weimar Germany.
The plebiscite was held under the supervision of Allied powers following World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. Separate votes were conducted in East and West Prussia to determine allegiance. A clear majority in East Prussia chose to stay within the borders of Weimar Germany. The vote resolved lingering territorial disputes between Germany and newly independent Poland. Economic concerns and strong German cultural ties influenced the outcome. The decision shaped the interwar border and local governance for the following decades.
1920
East Prussian plebiscite
Weimar Germany
1921day.year
The Red Army captures Mongolia from the White Army and establishes the Mongolian People's Republic.
In 1921, the Red Army seized control of Mongolia and proclaimed the Mongolian People's Republic.
Amidst the Russian Civil War’s spillover into Asia, Soviet-supported troops advanced into Mongolia. They overcame the anti-Bolshevik White Army and ended the theocratic monarchy of the Bogd Khan. On July 11, Soviet leaders and local revolutionaries declared the Mongolian People’s Republic, the first socialist state outside Russia. This new government adopted a one-party system under Soviet guidance. Land reforms and nationalization of key industries followed quickly. The establishment of the republic cemented Soviet influence in the region for decades.
Red Army
Mongolia
White Army
Mongolian People's Republic