August 14

Events

74 BC

A group of officials, led by the Western Han minister Huo Guang, present articles of impeachment against the new emperor, Liu He, to the imperial regent, Empress Dowager Shangguan.

In 74 BC, powerful court minister Huo Guang led an impeachment against the young Emperor Liu He before Empress Dowager Shangguan, marking a dramatic power struggle in the Western Han dynasty.
In 74 BC, during the Western Han dynasty, minister Huo Guang spearheaded a dramatic impeachment move against the newly enthroned Emperor Liu He. He charged the young ruler with misconduct and misgovernance, undermining imperial authority. The articles of impeachment were presented to Empress Dowager Shangguan, the acting regent wielding supreme power. This confrontation revealed deep tensions within the Han court's ruling elite. The outcome of this bold accusation would shape the dynasty's succession crisis and illustrate the precarious balance between the throne and powerful ministers. Huo Guang's actions cemented his reputation as one of the most influential statesmen of his era.
74 BC Western Han Huo Guang Liu He Empress Dowager Shangguan
29 BC

Octavian holds the second of three consecutive triumphs in Rome to celebrate the victory over the Dalmatian tribes.

On 29 BC, Octavian celebrated his second consecutive triumph in Rome, honoring his victory over the Dalmatian tribes and solidifying his rising power.
In 29 BC, Octavian was honored with his second of three back-to-back triumphal processions through Rome's sacred streets. The grand parade commemorated his successful campaign against the Dalmatian tribes in the eastern Adriatic. Armies marched with spoils of war, exotic prisoners of war, and ornate war trophies displayed before cheering crowds. This public spectacle reinforced Octavian's image as Rome's preeminent military commander following the chaos of the civil wars. The triumphs also served a political purpose, bolstering his standing ahead of his eventual transition to Augustus. Citizens witnessed grand floats, sacrificial ceremonies, and theatrical reenactments of battles. Ultimately, these celebrations helped pave the way for the Roman Republic's transformation into the Principate under his rule.
29 BC Octavian triumphs Rome Dalmatian tribes
1040day.year

King Duncan I is killed in battle against his first cousin and rival Macbeth. The latter succeeds him as King of Scotland.

In 1040, King Duncan I of Scotland was slain in battle by his cousin Macbeth, who then assumed the Scottish throne in a sudden change of leadership.
In 1040, the forces of King Duncan I clashed with those commanded by his cousin Macbeth in a decisive battle. Duncan's army was overwhelmed, and he was slain on the field, plunging the Scottish monarchy into turmoil. Taking advantage of the victory, Macbeth immediately seized the crown and was crowned King of Scotland. His sudden rise to power would inspire dramatic retellings in literature and folklore, most famously by Shakespeare. Contemporary accounts suggest Macbeth's reign brought a period of relative stability despite its violent ascent. The event revealed the fragile loyalties of the Scottish nobility in the 11th century. Duncan's death ended his five-year rule and ushered in a new dynastic chapter in Scotland's history.
1040 Duncan I Macbeth King of Scotland
1183day.year

Taira no Munemori and the Taira clan take the young Emperor Antoku and the three sacred treasures and flee to western Japan to escape pursuit by the Minamoto clan.

In 1183, Taira no Munemori led the fleeing Taira clan, carrying Emperor Antoku and Japan's sacred treasures westward to evade the pursuing Minamoto forces.
In the summer of 1183, as the Genpei War raged, Taira no Munemori gathered the young Emperor Antoku and the Three Sacred Treasures and retreated from the capital's threat. The precious regalia—symbolizing imperial legitimacy—were carried through mountainous terrain toward the Taira stronghold in western Japan. This dramatic flight aimed to shield the emperor from the rival Minamoto clan's advance. The Minamoto forces pursued relentlessly, seeking to capture the emperor and end Taira rule. The Taira's departure marked a pivotal shift in Japan's civil conflict, as the imperial family became a strategic prize. These events set the stage for the later naval Battle of Dan-no-ura, which would decide Japan's future. The sacred treasures' fate would influence the nation's imperial continuity for generations.
1183 Taira no Munemori Taira clan Emperor Antoku three sacred treasures Minamoto clan
1264day.year

After tricking the Venetian galley fleet into sailing east to the Levant, the Genoese capture an entire Venetian trade convoy at the Battle of Saseno.

In 1264, the Republic of Genoa ambushed and captured a Venetian trade convoy at the Battle of Saseno, striking a blow in their fierce medieval rivalry.
In August 1264, Genoese ships lured a Venetian galley fleet eastward under the guise of trade, drawing them into the Levantine waters near Saseno. Once isolated, the Genoese naval commanders launched a surprise attack, overwhelming the unsuspecting Venetians. The entire trade convoy, laden with valuable goods, fell into Genoese hands without a protracted battle. This audacious victory intensified the maritime rivalry between Genoa and Venice, two of Italy's most powerful maritime republics. The loss dealt a heavy economic and psychological blow to Venetian commerce in the eastern Mediterranean. Genoa's success at Saseno underscored the era's cutthroat naval warfare and the strategic importance of intelligence and deception. The result strengthened Genoa's position as a dominant sea power during the 13th century.
1264 Venetian galley Levant Genoese Battle of Saseno
1352day.year

War of the Breton Succession: Anglo-Bretons defeat the French in the Battle of Mauron.

In 1352, Anglo-Breton forces defeated the French army at the Battle of Mauron, a key engagement during the War of the Breton Succession.
On August 14, 1352, the allied troops of England and the de Montfort faction of Brittany confronted a French royal force near Mauron. The Anglo-Breton army deployed longbowmen and dismounted knights to counter the French cavalry charge. After fierce fighting, the Franco-Breton contingent was routed, suffering heavy casualties and numerous high-ranking prisoners. This triumph bolstered the claim of John de Montfort over the ducal throne of Brittany. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of English military tactics in continental warfare. It also shifted momentum in the protracted Breton civil war, influencing regional politics and feudal alliances. The outcome at Mauron would resonate in subsequent campaigns of the Hundred Years' War.
1352 War of the Breton Succession French Battle of Mauron
1370day.year

Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor, grants city privileges to Karlovy Vary.

In 1370, Emperor Charles IV granted city privileges to Karlovy Vary, elevating the Bohemian spa settlement's legal and economic status.
In 1370, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV issued a charter granting town rights to the settlement at Karlovy Vary in western Bohemia. The privileges included self-governance, market rights, and freedom from certain feudal obligations. These new liberties attracted merchants, craftsmen, and settlers, fostering the town's rapid growth. Named Karlsbad in German, the city became renowned for its hot springs and therapeutic baths. Charles IV's patronage transformed Karlovy Vary into a prominent economic and cultural center. The charter laid the foundation for the town's later fame as a leading spa destination in Central Europe. These developments exemplify medieval urbanization under imperial authority.
1370 Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor city privileges Karlovy Vary
1385day.year

Portuguese Crisis of 1383–85: Battle of Aljubarrota: Portuguese forces commanded by John I of Portugal defeat the Castilian army of John I of Castile.

In 1385, Portuguese forces under John I defeated the Castilian army at the Battle of Aljubarrota, securing Portugal's independence.
On August 14, 1385, the Portuguese army led by King John I faced the much larger Castilian forces commanded by King John I of Castile near Aljubarrota. Employing defensive tactics and longbowmen allied from England, the Portuguese army inflicted a decisive rout on the invaders. The victory ended Castile's bid to annex Portugal following the Crisis of 1383–85. It solidified John I's reign and inaugurated the Aviz dynasty. The battlefields' terrain was skillfully used to channel the enemy into narrow fronts, enhancing Portuguese defensive strength. Aljubarrota's triumph preserved Portugal's sovereignty and became a foundational legend of national identity. The outcome shifted the balance of power on the Iberian Peninsula for generations.
1385 Portuguese Crisis of 1383–85 Battle of Aljubarrota John I of Portugal Castilian John I of Castile
1592day.year

The first sighting of the Falkland Islands by John Davis.

In 1592, English explorer John Davis made the first recorded sighting of the remote Falkland Islands during his search for the Northwest Passage.
In August 1592, on a voyage seeking a northern route to Asia, navigator John Davis sailed into the South Atlantic and observed a string of rugged islands now known as the Falklands. Davis recorded them as 'Davis Islands', noting their harsh winds and barren terrain. Although he did not land, his sighting marked the first documented European encounter with the archipelago. Over the centuries, the islands would attract sealers, whalers, and settlers drawn by their rich wildlife. The Falklands' strategic significance and remote location later fueled disputes between colonial powers. Davis's ephemeral glimpse opened a new chapter in South Atlantic exploration. His logs inspired subsequent voyages that charted and mapped the islands in greater detail.
1592 Falkland Islands John Davis
1598day.year

Nine Years' War: Battle of the Yellow Ford: Irish forces under Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, defeat an English expeditionary force under Henry Bagenal.

In 1598, Irish Gaelic forces led by Hugh O'Neill defeated an English army at the Battle of the Yellow Ford, marking a major victory in the Nine Years' War.
On August 14, 1598, during the Irish Nine Years' War, Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, ambushed English troops under Sir Henry Bagenal at the Yellow Ford on the River Blackwater. Utilizing terrain and surprise, the Irish forces inflicted heavy casualties on the English vanguard. The defeat was one of the English army's worst losses in Ireland, with Bagenal among the fallen officers. Tyrone's victory bolstered Gaelic resistance and prompted a strategic reevaluation by the English crown. It demonstrated the effectiveness of Irish infantry and light cavalry tactics against traditional English formations. The battle intensified the conflict, drawing more resources and reinforcements from England. The Yellow Ford became a symbol of Irish defiance in the struggle for sovereignty.
1598 Nine Years' War Battle of the Yellow Ford Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone Henry Bagenal
1720day.year

The Spanish military Villasur expedition is defeated by Pawnee and Otoe warriors near present-day Columbus, Nebraska.

A Spanish expedition led by Villasur is ambushed and defeated by Pawnee and Otoe warriors near present-day Columbus, Nebraska.
On August 14, 1720, the Spanish Villasur expedition, aiming to explore and assert control over the Great Plains, encountered fierce resistance from local Native American tribes. Led by Lieutenant General Pedro de Villasur, the party ventured west from New Mexico into territory claimed by the French. Near the Platte River close to modern Columbus, Nebraska, an alliance of Pawnee and Otoe warriors launched a surprise attack. The Spanish troops, outnumbered and unprepared for the ambush, suffered heavy casualties. Most of the expedition members were killed, and their mission to secure Spain's northern frontier collapsed. The defeat marked the end of Spain's ambitions to expand into the central plains and highlighted the strength of indigenous alliances.
1720 Villasur expedition Pawnee Otoe Columbus, Nebraska
1784day.year

Russian colonization of North America: Awa'uq Massacre: The Russian fur trader Grigory Shelikhov storms a Kodiak Island Alutiit refuge rock on Sitkalidak Island, killing 500+ Alutiit.

Russian fur trader Grigory Shelikhov stages the brutal Awa'uq Massacre on Sitkalidak Island, killing over 500 Alutiit refugees in 1784.
On August 14, 1784, Russian fur trader Grigory Shelikhov led a violent assault on an Alutiit refuge at Awa'uq, Sitkalidak Island. Intent on securing prime hunting grounds and establishing dominance in Kodiak Island, Shelikhov's party attacked families sheltering in a rock fortress. Over 500 Alutiit men, women, and children were slaughtered in one of the bloodiest events of Russian colonization in North America. Survivors were taken captive and forced into the fur trade, marking the beginning of systematic exploitation of indigenous communities. The Awa'uq Massacre instilled fear across the archipelago and sparked prolonged resistance by the Alutiit people. This atrocity revealed the darker side of early colonial expansion and its devastating impact on native populations.
1784 Russian colonization of North America Awa'uq Massacre Grigory Shelikhov Kodiak Island Alutiit Sitkalidak Island