August 30

Events

70day.year

Titus ends the siege of Jerusalem after destroying Herod's Temple.

Roman general Titus brings the siege of Jerusalem to a violent close with the destruction of Herod's Temple.
Roman forces under Titus completed the siege of Jerusalem on August 30, 70 AD, marking a decisive moment in the First Jewish–Roman War. The defenders were overwhelmed after weeks of starvation and close-quarters fighting within the city walls. Herod's Temple, the central Jewish sanctuary, was set ablaze and destroyed in the final assault. The fall of Jerusalem ended Jewish political autonomy in Judea for centuries and reshaped the region's history. This cataclysmic event left a lasting legacy in religious memory and archaeological significance.
70 Titus siege of Jerusalem Herod's Temple
1060day.year

The Mirdasids defeat the Fatimid Caliphate at the Battle of al-Funaydiq, signalling the definitive loss of Aleppo for the Fatimids.

The Mirdasid forces achieve a decisive victory over the Fatimid Caliphate at al-Funaydiq, sealing Aleppo's fate.
On August 30, 1060, the Mirdasid Emirate confronted Fatimid forces at the Battle of al-Funaydiq in northern Syria. The clash resulted from escalating regional tensions as the Fatimids sought to maintain authority over Aleppo. Under Mirdasid leadership, local troops exploited their knowledge of the terrain to outmaneuver the Caliphate's army. The defeat forced the Fatimids to relinquish control of Aleppo, altering the balance of power in the Levant. This outcome marked a turning point that accelerated the fragmentation of Fatimid influence in Syria.
1060 Mirdasids Fatimid Caliphate Battle of al-Funaydiq Aleppo
1282day.year

Peter III of Aragon lands at Trapani to intervene in the War of the Sicilian Vespers.

Peter III of Aragon arrives at Trapani to support the Sicilian uprising against Angevin rule.
On August 30, 1282, Peter III of Aragon led his fleet ashore at Trapani to join the Sicilians in revolt. This intervention was prompted by the Sicilian Vespers uprising against the Angevin monarchy's harsh governance. Peter's arrival transformed a regional rebellion into a broader conflict with the Kingdom of Naples. His commitment to the cause reshaped the political landscape of the central Mediterranean. The intervention set the stage for years of warfare over control of Sicily and Southern Italy.
1282 Peter III of Aragon Trapani War of the Sicilian Vespers
1363day.year

The five-week Battle of Lake Poyang begins, in which the forces of two Chinese rebel leaders (Chen Youliang and Zhu Yuanzhang) meet to decide who will supplant the Yuan dynasty.

One of history's largest naval battles begins on Lake Poyang between rival Chinese rebel leaders.
On August 30, 1363, rebel commanders Chen Youliang and Zhu Yuanzhang faced off on China's vast Lake Poyang. The five-week engagement became one of the largest naval battles in history by ship count. Both leaders sought to overthrow the weakened Yuan dynasty and claim supreme power in China. Zhu's strategic use of fire ships and maneuver warfare ultimately tied down enemy forces. This confrontation paved the way for Zhu Yuanzhang's rise, leading to the founding of the Ming dynasty.
1363 Battle of Lake Poyang Chen Youliang Zhu Yuanzhang Yuan dynasty
1464day.year

Pope Paul II succeeds Pope Pius II as the 211th pope.

Pope Paul II is elected as the 211th pope, succeeding Pius II.
On August 30, 1464, Cardinal Pietro Barbo was elected Pope Paul II following the death of Pius II. His pontificate focused on restoring papal finances and reinforcing Church authority in Italy. Paul II faced tensions with humanist scholars, leading to the establishment of the Roman Inquisition. He championed the beautification of Rome, commissioning works to enhance St. Peter's Basilica. Despite controversies over nepotism, his legacy influenced the trajectory of the Renaissance papacy.
1464 Pope Paul II Pope Pius II pope
1574day.year

Guru Ram Das becomes the Fourth Sikh Guru/Master.

Guru Ram Das is appointed the Fourth Sikh Guru, guiding the growth of the Sikh community.
On August 30, 1574, Guru Ram Das assumed leadership as the Fourth Guru of Sikhism. He oversaw the founding of the city of Ramdaspur, later known as Amritsar, the spiritual center of Sikhism. Guru Ram Das composed hymns that were later enshrined in the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. His emphasis on community service led to the practice of langar, the communal kitchen tradition. Under his guidance, the foundations of Sikh identity and civic structure were firmly established.
1574 Guru Ram Das Sikh Guru Master
1590day.year

Tokugawa Ieyasu enters Edo Castle. (Traditional Japanese date: August 1, 1590)

Tokugawa Ieyasu moves into Edo Castle, beginning his rise to shogunal power.
Following his appointment by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu took residence at Edo Castle on August 30, 1590. This move established Edo as the political base for the Tokugawa clan. Over the next century, Edo would grow into one of the world's largest cities under the Tokugawa shogunate. Ieyasu's strategic control of the Kanto region solidified his authority in the final phase of the Sengoku period. The foundation he laid paved the way for over 250 years of peaceful rule in Japan.
1590 Tokugawa Ieyasu Edo Castle Japanese date
1594day.year

King James VI of Scotland holds a masque at the baptism of Prince Henry at Stirling Castle.

King James VI stages an elaborate masque at Stirling Castle for Prince Henry's baptism.
On August 30, 1594, the Scottish court at Stirling Castle celebrated the baptism of Prince Henry with a grand masque. Maskers and musicians performed allegorical scenes extolling royal authority and divine favor. The event showcased the artistic patronage of James VI and the cultural vibrancy of the Scottish Renaissance. Noble guests from across Scotland attended, nearly filling the ancient fortress with pageantry. This spectacle foreshadowed lavish theatrics that would become a hallmark of the Jacobean court in England.
1594 James VI of Scotland masque at the baptism of Prince Henry Stirling Castle
1721day.year

The Great Northern War between Sweden and Russia ends in the Treaty of Nystad.

The Treaty of Nystad formally concludes the Great Northern War between Sweden and Russia.
Signed on August 30, 1721, the Treaty of Nystad ended two decades of conflict in Northern Europe. Sweden ceded significant territories, including Ingria and Estonia, to the Russian Empire. Peter the Great's victories secured Russia's status as a major European power. The treaty marked the decline of Sweden's age of imperial expansion and influence. Nystad reshaped the balance of power in the Baltic region for generations to come.
1721 Great Northern War Sweden Russia Treaty of Nystad
1727day.year

Anne, eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain, is given the title Princess Royal.

Anne, daughter of King George II, is granted the prestigious title Princess Royal.
On August 30, 1727, Princess Anne, the eldest daughter of King George II, received the title Princess Royal. This honorific reflected her position as the premier lady of the British royal family. The title carried ceremonial duties at court and was traditionally bestowed on the monarch's eldest daughter. Anne's marriage alliances and public role reinforced dynastic ties across Europe. Her elevated status underscored the importance of royal titles in Hanoverian Britain.
1727 Anne George II of Great Britain Princess Royal
1757day.year

Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf: Russian force under Field Marshal Stepan Fyodorovich Apraksin beats a smaller Prussian force commanded by Field Marshal Hans von Lehwaldt, during the Seven Years' War.

In 1757, Russian troops under Field Marshal Apraksin routed a smaller Prussian force at Gross-Jägersdorf, marking Russia's first major victory in the Seven Years' War.
The Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf took place on 30 August 1757 in East Prussia during the Seven Years' War. A Russian army led by Field Marshal Stepan Fyodorovich Apraksin engaged a Prussian corps under Field Marshal Hans von Lehwaldt. Despite fierce resistance, the outnumbered Prussians were overwhelmed and forced to retreat with heavy losses. This confrontation marked Russia's first significant success against Frederick the Great's forces and boosted Russian military morale. However, logistical constraints and supply issues prevented the Russians from capitalizing fully on their victory. The encounter set the stage for further clashes in Prussian territory and highlighted the challenges of coalition warfare in 18th-century Europe.
1757 Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf Stepan Fyodorovich Apraksin Hans von Lehwaldt Seven Years' War
1791day.year

HMS Pandora sinks after having run aground on the outer Great Barrier Reef the previous day.

In 1791, HMS Pandora, sent to capture the mutineers of HMS Bounty, ran aground on the outer Great Barrier Reef and sank the following day.
HMS Pandora was dispatched by the Royal Navy to hunt down the mutineers of HMS Bounty. On 29 August 1791, the ship struck the outer Great Barrier Reef after navigating its treacherous waters. Despite efforts to refloat her, Pandora began taking on water and ultimately sank early on 30 August. Of the 134 crew and prisoners aboard, 35 lives were lost, while survivors endured harrowing open-boat journeys to Timor. The wreck remained undiscovered until its remarkable rediscovery in 1977, offering invaluable insights into late 18th-century naval history. Pandora's fate underscored the perils of coral reef navigation and left a lasting legacy in maritime exploration lore.
1791 HMS Pandora Great Barrier Reef