July 31

Events - Politics & Government

1009day.year

Pope Sergius IV becomes the 142nd pope, succeeding Pope John XVIII.

Pope Sergius IV ascended to the papacy in 1009, becoming the 142nd pope after the death of John XVIII.
Following the death of Pope John XVIII, Pope Sergius IV was elected as the 142nd bishop of Rome on July 31, 1009. His election came during a turbulent period marked by factional disputes among Roman nobility and clergy. Sergius IV chose his papal name in honor of his predecessor, signaling continuity amid uncertainty. His brief pontificate focused on church reform and consolidating papal authority over secular rulers. He also supported monasticism and sought to curtail simony within the church hierarchy. Though his reign lasted less than two years, Sergius IV’s measures set precedents for later popes.
1009 Pope Sergius IV Pope John XVIII
1201day.year

Attempted usurpation by John Komnenos the Fat for the throne of Alexios III Angelos.

On July 31, 1201, John Komnenos the Fat launched a failed coup attempt against Byzantine Emperor Alexios III Angelos.
In Constantinople, John Komnenos the Fat seized the imperial palace and declared himself emperor on July 31, 1201. This bold usurpation aimed to overthrow Alexios III Angelos, whose rule faced internal opposition. Komnenos gained temporary support from disgruntled aristocrats but failed to secure broad backing. Within days, loyalist forces recaptured the capital and arrested the usurper. John Komnenos the Fat was executed for treason, ending the brief upheaval. The revolt highlighted the fragility of the Angelos dynasty and foreshadowed later turmoil within the Byzantine Empire.
1201 John Komnenos the Fat Alexios III Angelos
1451day.year

Jacques Cœur is arrested by order of Charles VII of France.

Jacques Cœur, the influential French merchant and royal financier, was arrested by King Charles VII in 1451 amid charges of corruption and treason.
On July 31, 1451, Jacques Cœur, one of France’s wealthiest merchants and treasurers, was arrested by order of King Charles VII. Accused of financial misconduct, embezzlement, and poisoning, Cœur faced a trial influenced by political rivals and jealous courtiers. His assets were seized, and he was stripped of his titles and properties. Although Cœur was later pardoned, his financial empire had collapsed, and he spent his remaining years in exile. The arrest marked a dramatic fall from grace for a man who had funded royal armies and diplomatic missions. Jacques Cœur’s story illustrates the precarious nature of wealth and favor in the medieval French court.
1451 Jacques Cœur Charles VII of France
1492day.year

All remaining Jews are expelled from Spain when the Alhambra Decree takes effect.

The Alhambra Decree took effect in 1492, expelling all remaining Jews from Spain under the Catholic Monarchs’ order.
On July 31, 1492, the Alhambra Decree, issued by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, went into effect. The edict demanded that all Jews convert to Christianity or leave their Spanish territories within four months. Approximately 200,000 Jews faced exile, leading to significant displacement and loss of property. Many sought refuge in Ottoman lands, North Africa, and elsewhere in Europe. The expulsion marked a tragic turning point for Spanish Jewry and reshaped the cultural landscape of the Iberian Peninsula. The decree also reflected the monarchs’ efforts to enforce religious homogeneity after the Reconquista.
1492 Alhambra Decree
1618day.year

Maurice, Prince of Orange disbands the waardgelders militia in Utrecht, a pivotal event in the Remonstrant/Counter-Remonstrant tensions.

Prince Maurice of Orange disbanded the waardgelders militia in Utrecht on July 31, 1618, escalating the Remonstrant and Counter-Remonstrant conflict.
In the context of religious and political tensions within the Dutch Republic, Maurice of Orange ordered the dissolution of the waardgelders civic militia in Utrecht. The waardgelders were local forces supportive of the Remonstrant (Arminian) faction. Their disbandment weakened the Remonstrant position and empowered the Counter-Remonstrant (Calvinist) party. Maurice’s decisive action reflected his alignment with orthodox Calvinists and his desire to stabilize the republic under a unified creed. The move intensified factional strife and set the stage for the Synod of Dort two years later. This episode illustrates the interplay of religion and politics in the Dutch struggle for independence.
1618 Maurice, Prince of Orange Utrecht Remonstrant Counter-Remonstrant
1658day.year

Aurangzeb is proclaimed Mughal emperor of India.

In 1658, Aurangzeb ascended to the Mughal throne, becoming emperor of India and marking the start of his influential reign.
Aurangzeb, born Muhi al-Din Muhammad, was the third son of Emperor Shah Jahan. Following a fierce war of succession, he seized power and was proclaimed emperor in 1658. He expanded the Mughal Empire to its greatest territorial extent, stretching across the Indian subcontinent. His reign introduced strict Islamic policies and strengthened the empire's administration. Aurangzeb's military campaigns against the Deccan sultanates solidified his authority but drained resources. His death in 1707 marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire's gradual decline under his successors.
1658 Aurangzeb Mughal emperor
1703day.year

Daniel Defoe is placed in a pillory for the crime of seditious libel after publishing a politically satirical pamphlet, but is pelted with flowers.

In 1703, author Daniel Defoe was punished for seditious libel by being placed in a pillory, only to be cheered with flowers by supportive Londoners.
Daniel Defoe, known for his later novel Robinson Crusoe, wrote a politically satirical pamphlet called 'The Shortest Way with the Dissenters'. His sharp critique of government policy led to a charge of seditious libel and a sentence in the pillory. On July 31, 1703, he stood in the pillory at Temple Bar in London before a jeering crowd. Rather than stones, Defoe was pelted with flowers and verses mocking his critics. This unusual public reaction highlighted tensions over free expression and dissent in early 18th-century England. Defoe's resilience in the face of punishment solidified his reputation as a bold writer and political commentator.
1703 Daniel Defoe pillory seditious libel pamphlet
1777day.year

The U.S. Second Continental Congress passes a resolution that the services of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette "be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major-general of the United States."

In 1777, the Second Continental Congress granted Marquis de Lafayette the rank of major-general in recognition of his service to the American cause.
French aristocrat Gilbert du Motier, known as the Marquis de Lafayette, arrived in America in 1777 to support the Continental Army. Impressed by his dedication, Congress passed a resolution on July 31, 1777, commissioning him as a major-general. Lafayette brought critical European military expertise and secured French support for the revolution. He served with distinction in battles such as Brandywine and Yorktown, solidifying his reputation as a hero. His close friendship with George Washington and advocacy for American independence strengthened Franco-American ties. Lafayette’s influence endured as he became a symbol of liberty in both France and the United States.
1777 Second Continental Congress Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
1856day.year

Christchurch, New Zealand, is chartered as a city.

In 1856, Christchurch in New Zealand was officially granted city status, becoming the country’s first chartered city.
Founded by the Canterbury Association in 1850, Christchurch grew rapidly as a planned settlement on the South Island. On July 31, 1856, it received a royal charter, formally recognizing its status as New Zealand's first city. The charter established a municipal council to oversee urban planning, infrastructure, and public services. Christchurch's designation attracted settlers and investors, boosting commerce and cultural institutions. Known for its Gothic Revival architecture and English heritage, the city became a model for colonial urban development. Today, Christchurch remains a vibrant center of innovation, education, and tourism in New Zealand.
1856 Christchurch
1932day.year

The NSDAP (Nazi Party) wins more than 38% of the vote in German elections.

In July 1932, Germany’s Nazi Party secured over 38% of the parliamentary vote, becoming the nation’s largest political party.
On July 31, 1932, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) achieved a striking electoral success in the Weimar Republic’s Reichstag elections. Winning more than 38% of the vote, the Nazis emerged as the strongest faction, surpassing traditional parties. Economic hardship and political instability fueled public support for Adolf Hitler’s promises of national revival. Despite their plurality, the NSDAP lacked an absolute majority, leading to complex coalition negotiations. This result intensified political tensions and ultimately paved the way for Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in January 1933. The election marked a critical turning point in German history, undermining democratic institutions and accelerating the Nazi rise to power. Its aftermath highlighted the vulnerabilities of the Weimar system to extremist movements.
1932 Nazi Party German elections
1938day.year

Bulgaria signs a non-aggression pact with Greece and other states of Balkan Antanti (Turkey, Romania, Yugoslavia).

In 1938, Bulgaria and its Balkan neighbors formed a non-aggression pact to promote regional stability amid growing European tensions.
On July 31, 1938, Bulgaria joined Greece, Turkey, Romania, and Yugoslavia in signing the Balkan Pact, also known as the Balkan Entente. The agreement pledged mutual non-aggression and collective security against potential revisionist threats. Conceived in the interwar period, the pact aimed to deter territorial disputes and strengthen diplomatic ties in Southeastern Europe. Though not a full military alliance, it fostered cooperation on political and economic issues among member states. By promoting dialogue and regional unity, the Bulgarian accession underscored the shifting alliances before World War II. While its impact was limited as global conflict erupted, the Balkan Pact remains a notable example of prewar diplomacy. The 1938 agreement reflected the complex balance-of-power dynamics on the eve of Europe’s descent into war.
1938 Bulgaria Turkey Romania Yugoslavia
1945day.year

Pierre Laval, the fugitive former leader of Vichy France, surrenders to Allied soldiers in Austria.

On July 31, 1945, Pierre Laval, former head of Vichy France, surrendered to Allied troops in Austria after months as a fugitive.
Pierre Laval, who had served as Prime Minister of Vichy France under Nazi occupation, eluded capture until his July 31 surrender in Austria. Identified in a small Austrian village, Laval turned himself in to Allied soldiers, ending his attempts to seek refuge. Accused of collaboration and war crimes, he was soon extradited to France to face trial for his role in the oppressive Vichy regime. During his leadership, Laval had implemented anti-Semitic laws and cooperated closely with German authorities. His apprehension marked a symbolic moment of reckoning for France’s wartime government. Laval’s subsequent trial and execution underscored the complexities of justice in post-war Europe. The event illustrated the Allies’ determination to hold pro-Nazi collaborators accountable.
1945 Pierre Laval Vichy France Allied