July 21

Events

356 BC

The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is destroyed by arson.

On July 21, 356 BC, the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was deliberately set ablaze, destroying one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Built around 550 BC, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was a grand marble structure dedicated to the Greek goddess of fertility. On July 21, 356 BC, a local man named Herostratus set fire to the temple in an act of arson intended to immortalize his name. The fierce blaze destroyed most of the temple, leaving behind only the platform and few carved fragments. The event horrified the ancient world and led to strict laws banning the mention of the arsonist's name, an early example of damnatio memoriae. Although the temple was later rebuilt on a more magnificent scale, none of the priceless artworks from the original survived. The destruction of the Temple of Artemis remains a stark reminder of cultural loss and the perils of seeking fleeting fame.
356 BC Temple of Artemis Ephesus Seven Wonders of the World arson
230day.year

Pope Pontian succeeds Urban I as the eighteenth pope. After being exiled to Sardinia, he became the first pope to resign his office.

Pope Pontian ascended to the papacy and, after exile to Sardinia, became the first pope in history to resign his office.
Pontian succeeded Urban I on July 21, 230, during a period of increasing persecution of Christians under Roman authorities. Facing pressure from imperial officials, Pontian was exiled to the mines of Sardinia, where conditions were harsh and life-threatening. He is traditionally recognized as the first pope to resign, stepping down to allow for the election of a new bishop of Rome while still alive. His unprecedented resignation paved the way for Pope Anterus and established an early precedent for orderly papal succession. Pontian’s leadership and sacrifice are commemorated on his feast day, celebrated on August 13. He was later martyred, and his legacy endures as a symbol of humility and steadfast faith amid adversity.
230 Pope Pontian Urban I pope
285day.year

Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar and co-ruler.

Emperor Diocletian names Maximian as Caesar, inaugurating a shared imperial rule to better manage the Roman Empire.
In an effort to stabilize the vast Roman Empire, Emperor Diocletian appointed his trusted general Maximian as Caesar on July 21, 285. This move marked the beginning of a power-sharing system that later evolved into the Tetrarchy, dividing authority among multiple rulers. Maximian was tasked with governing the western provinces while Diocletian retained control over the eastern territories. The arrangement improved administrative efficiency and bolstered defenses against external threats. Maximian was eventually elevated to Augustus, further formalizing the dual leadership structure. Diocletian’s reforms laid the groundwork for a more resilient imperial system that influenced the empire’s governance for decades.
285 Diocletian Maximian Caesar
365day.year

The 365 Crete earthquake affected the Greek island of Crete with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), causing a destructive tsunami that affects the coasts of Libya and Egypt, especially Alexandria. Many thousands are killed.

A massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami strike Crete and the shores of Libya and Egypt, killing thousands and devastating Alexandria.
On July 21, 365, a massive earthquake struck off the southern coast of Crete, reaching an estimated intensity of XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli scale. The seismic shock triggered a devastating tsunami that inundated coastal areas of Libya and Egypt, with Alexandria suffering particularly severe damage. Contemporary accounts describe entire districts destroyed, ships thrown ashore, and widespread loss of life among residents and sailors. The disaster disrupted trade routes and weakened the region's economic and social structures for years to come. Emperor Valens dispatched aid and relief missions to the affected provinces, marking one of the early examples of imperial disaster response. The 365 Crete earthquake remains one of the most destructive seismic events recorded in the ancient Mediterranean.
365 365 Crete earthquake Alexandria
905day.year

King Berengar I of Italy and a hired Hungarian army defeats the Frankish forces at Verona. King Louis III is captured and blinded for breaking his oath (see 902).

King Berengar I of Italy, aided by Hungarian mercenaries, defeats the Frankish army at Verona and captures King Louis III.
On July 21, 905, King Berengar I of Italy allied with Hungarian mercenaries to confront the invading Frankish army at Verona. The decisive victory saw Berengar’s forces rout the Franks and capture King Louis III, who was subsequently blinded for breaking his oath. This brutal punishment aimed to eliminate a political rival and underscore the sanctity of royal promises. The battle cemented Berengar’s control over northern Italy and deterred further Frankish incursions. The alliance with the Hungarians highlighted the shifting military tactics of the early medieval period, emphasizing cavalry mobility. The outcome at Verona shaped Italian politics and set the tone for future conflicts between local rulers and external powers.
905 Berengar I of Italy Hungarian Frankish Verona Louis III 902
1242day.year

Battle of Taillebourg: Louis IX of France puts an end to the revolt of his vassals Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan.

King Louis IX of France defeats rebel forces led by Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan at the Battle of Taillebourg.
On July 21, 1242, King Louis IX of France led royal forces against the rebellious vassals of Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan near the bridge of Taillebourg. The French army's disciplined cavalry charge broke the Anglo-Lusignan lines, forcing the enemy to retreat across the Charente River. The victory at Taillebourg effectively ended the revolt against Louis’s authority and reinforced Capetian dominance in western France. Henry III and his allies were compelled to accept Louis’s terms, leading to a temporary peace and the restoration of royal control. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of heavy cavalry in medieval warfare and bolstered Louis’s reputation as a chivalric king. Louis IX would later become renowned for his piety and fair rule, earning canonization as Saint Louis in 1297.
1242 Battle of Taillebourg Louis IX of France Henry III of England Hugh X of Lusignan
1403day.year

Battle of Shrewsbury: King Henry IV of England defeats rebels to the north of the county town of Shropshire, England.

King Henry IV of England defeats rebel forces led by Hotspur at the Battle of Shrewsbury, consolidating his rule.
On July 21, 1403, King Henry IV personally led his army against a rebel faction headed by Henry Percy, known as Hotspur, near Shrewsbury. Despite fierce fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, the king’s troops ultimately prevailed, and Percy was killed in the combat. The victory solidified Henry’s control over the English throne amid widespread baronial dissent. It weakened the powerful Percy family and discouraged further large-scale rebellions for several years. The battle is immortalized in Shakespeare’s play "Henry IV, Part 1," emphasizing themes of honor, loyalty, and the burdens of kingship. Henry IV’s success at Shrewsbury helped stabilize his reign and laid the groundwork for future campaigns abroad.
1403 Battle of Shrewsbury Henry IV of England Shropshire
1545day.year

The first landing of French troops on the coast of the Isle of Wight during the French invasion of the Isle of Wight.

French forces make their first landing on the Isle of Wight during an invasion of southern England under Henry VIII.
On July 21, 1545, during the reign of Henry VIII, French troops landed on the Isle of Wight as part of an attempted invasion of southern England. The invaders aimed to challenge English naval supremacy and coerce the king into diplomatic concessions. Local militias and islanders mounted a determined defense, slowing the French advance and inflicting significant casualties. The French fleet engaged English coastal defenses and patrol ships in the Solent but failed to secure a lasting foothold on the island. Although the invasion did not achieve its strategic objectives, it exposed weaknesses in England’s coastal fortifications. In response, Henry VIII ordered the construction of new artillery forts across the south coast, reshaping England's maritime defenses.
1545 Isle of Wight French invasion of the Isle of Wight
1568day.year

Eighty Years' War: Battle of Jemmingen: Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva defeats Louis of Nassau.

Spanish forces under the Duke of Alva crush Louis of Nassau’s troops at the Battle of Jemmingen in the Eighty Years' War.
On July 21, 1568, Spanish troops led by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, the Duke of Alva, ambushed Louis of Nassau's rebel army near Jemmingen. The disciplined Spanish tercios devastated the Dutch rebels, forcing many soldiers into the Ems River where they drowned or were captured. The decisive victory strengthened Spanish control over the northern provinces and temporarily quelled the early Dutch Revolt. Despite this setback, the Dutch resistance endured, eventually leading to the independence of the Dutch Republic. The battle showcased the effectiveness of Spanish infantry tactics and marked the beginning of a protracted struggle in the Low Countries. Jemmingen remains a key example of the brutal warfare and political turmoil of the Sixteenth-Century European conflicts.
1568 Eighty Years' War Battle of Jemmingen Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva Louis of Nassau
1645day.year

Qing dynasty regent Dorgon issues an edict ordering all Han Chinese men to shave their forehead and braid the rest of their hair into a queue identical to those of the Manchus.

Regent Dorgon mandates the Manchu-style queue hairstyle for all Han Chinese men, enforcing cultural assimilation under the Qing.
On July 21, 1645, Dorgon, the regent of the newly established Qing dynasty, decreed that all Han Chinese men must shave their foreheads and braid their hair into the Manchu-style queue. The edict served as a political tool to unify the diverse populations of China under Qing rule and visibly mark loyalty to the new regime. Failure to comply was punishable by death, making the hairstyle a forced symbol of submission and authority. The decree profoundly altered social traditions, as hairstyle was closely tied to Confucian ideals of filial piety and bodily respect. Resistance was met with harsh reprisals, but over time the queue became a ubiquitous feature of Qing society until its abolition in the early twentieth century. This mandate illustrates the Qing dynasty's methods of consolidating power through cultural and legal transformations.
1645 Qing dynasty Dorgon edict Han Chinese Manchus
1656day.year

The Raid on Málaga takes place during the Anglo-Spanish War.

During the Anglo-Spanish War, the English navy launched a daring raid on the strategic Spanish port of Málaga.
In July 1656, amid the Anglo-Spanish War, the English fleet set sail for the southern coast of Spain. The operation targeted the busy port of Málaga, a key center for Spanish maritime trade. English ships bombarded the harbor defenses and intercepted merchant vessels, inflicting heavy losses. The raid disrupted Spain's supply lines and demonstrated England's growing naval power. It marked one of the first major English amphibious raids on the Mediterranean coast. The bold action boosted English morale and put additional pressure on Spain in the wider conflict.
1656 Raid on Málaga Anglo-Spanish War
1674day.year

A Dutch assault on the French island of Martinique is repulsed against all odds.

A Dutch expedition against the French-held island of Martinique is repulsed by its determined defenders.
On 21 July 1674, Dutch warships and troops launched a surprise assault on Martinique, then a strategic French sugar colony. The French garrison and local militia rallied to defend the island’s key forts and harbors. Despite initial gains, the Dutch forces faced stiff resistance and logistical challenges in the tropical environment. Heavy casualties and the island’s rugged terrain forced the attackers to abandon their plans. The failed operation maintained French control over Martinique and underscored the colony’s defensive strength. This rare Dutch setback highlighted the difficulties of projecting power across the Atlantic during the age of sail.
1674 Dutch assault Martinique