372day.year
Sixteen Kingdoms: Sima Yao, age 10, succeeds his father Emperor Jianwen as Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin dynasty.
At the age of ten, Sima Yao ascends the throne as Emperor Xiaowu of the Eastern Jin dynasty amid political upheaval.
In 372 AD, following the death of Emperor Jianwen, his young son Sima Yao inherited the imperial title as Emperor Xiaowu at just ten years old.
Despite his youth, his reign would be guided by powerful ministers and regents who shaped court politics.
The Eastern Jin dynasty faced internal strife and external threats, and the new emperor’s rule marked a period of significant challenges.
Emperor Xiaowu’s ascension demonstrates the dynastic complexities of the Sixteen Kingdoms period in Chinese history.
The succession underlines the fragility of imperial power during times of political fragmentation.
372
Sixteen Kingdoms
Emperor Jianwen
Emperor Xiaowu
Eastern Jin dynasty
1297day.year
The Treaty of Alcañices, mediated by the pope, between the king Denis of Portugal and king Ferdinand IV of Castile defines the border between the two countries and establishes an alliance of friendship.
Portugal and Castile formalize their border and friendship through the Treaty of Alcañices, mediated by the pope.
In 1297, King Denis of Portugal and King Ferdinand IV of Castile agreed to the Treaty of Alcañices under papal mediation.
The treaty clearly defined the frontier between the two kingdoms, many of whose borders remain unchanged today.
It established a defensive alliance and mutual assistance pact, fostering decades of peace on the Iberian Peninsula.
This diplomatic achievement strengthened both monarchies and facilitated economic and cultural exchange.
The Treaty of Alcañices exemplifies medieval European diplomacy and the role of the papacy in conflict resolution.
1297
Treaty of Alcañices
Denis of Portugal
Ferdinand IV of Castile
1848day.year
A new constitution marks the establishment of Switzerland as a federal state.
On this day in 1848, Switzerland adopted a federal constitution, establishing modern Swiss democracy.
The Federal Constitution of Switzerland was adopted on September 12, 1848, reorganizing the nation into a federal state of 25 cantons.
It replaced a loose confederation with a centralized government while preserving cantonal autonomy.
The constitution established a bicameral legislature, separation of powers, and introduced elements of direct democracy.
These reforms laid the foundation for Swiss neutrality and political stability in Europe.
Many of its core principles remain in place, guiding Switzerland's governance to this day.
1848
Switzerland as a federal state
1890day.year
Salisbury, Rhodesia, is founded.
On this day in 1890, the city of Salisbury was founded in Rhodesia, which would later become Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.
Salisbury was founded on September 12, 1890, by the British South Africa Company as an administrative settlement in Rhodesia.
Named after British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury, it quickly became a center for colonial governance and trade.
The town’s growth was fueled by agriculture, rail transport, and its strategic location.
Following Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the city was renamed Harare and became the national capital.
Today, Harare remains Zimbabwe’s largest city, known for its political and cultural significance.
1890
Salisbury
Rhodesia
1923day.year
Southern Rhodesia, today called Zimbabwe, is annexed by the United Kingdom.
On this day in 1923, Southern Rhodesia was formally annexed by the United Kingdom, transitioning it into a Crown colony.
On September 12, 1923, Southern Rhodesia was formally annexed by the United Kingdom after a local referendum.
The colony became the first self-governing British territory in Africa with its own legislative assembly.
The arrangement granted significant autonomy under British colonial oversight.
Southern Rhodesia’s governance structure influenced other colonies during the interwar period.
It remained a British colony until 1965 and eventually became the independent nation of Zimbabwe in 1980.
1923
Southern Rhodesia
Zimbabwe
1938day.year
Adolf Hitler demands autonomy and self-determination for the Germans of the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia.
Adolf Hitler demands autonomy and self-determination for Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia, heightening prewar tensions in Europe.
On September 12, 1938, Adolf Hitler publicly called for the Sudeten German minority in Czechoslovakia to be granted political autonomy and the right to self-governance. He argued their ethnic connection to Germany warranted protection and representation. This demand intensified pressure on the Czechoslovak government and alarmed France and Britain. The crisis precipitated the Munich Conference later that month, where Western powers pursued a policy of appeasement. The eventual annexation of the Sudetenland marked a key step in Nazi expansionism. Historians view this event as a critical prelude to the outbreak of World War II. The Sudeten Crisis remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of diplomatic compromise with aggressive regimes.
1938
Adolf Hitler
Germans
Sudetenland
Czechoslovakia
1961day.year
The African and Malagasy Union is founded.
The African and Malagasy Union was founded to promote political unity and cooperation among newly independent states. It marked an early effort in post-colonial pan-African collaboration.
In September 1961, leaders from newly independent African and Malagasy nations convened in Brazzaville to establish the African and Malagasy Union (UAM). The UAM aimed to foster political solidarity, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange among its member states emerging from colonial rule. It represented an early attempt to unify regional voices in diplomatic and economic affairs through shared linguistic and historical ties. Despite its ambitious agenda, the union faced challenges such as divergent national priorities and limited resources. Internal disagreements and external pressures eventually led to its transformation into broader pan-African organizations. Nonetheless, the UAM’s founding highlighted the growing aspirations for regional integration and collective self-determination in post-colonial Africa.
1961
African and Malagasy Union
1974day.year
Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, 'Messiah' of the Rastafari movement, is deposed following a military coup by the Derg, ending a reign of 58 years.
Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie was deposed by a military coup, ending his 58-year reign.
On September 12, 1974, Ethiopia’s long-serving monarch, Emperor Haile Selassie I, was overthrown by the Derg, a committee of military officers seeking radical change. Selassie had ruled since 1930 and was revered by many as both head of state and spiritual leader. His deposition came amid widespread unrest fueled by economic hardship, famine, and demands for political reform. The Derg initially promised socialist transformation and progressive policies but soon cemented its authority under a military junta. Haile Selassie was placed under house arrest and died under mysterious circumstances in 1975. His fall marked the end of the Solomonic dynasty and ushered in a period of revolutionary upheaval and repression known as the Red Terror.
1974
Haile Selassie
Ethiopia
Messiah
Rastafari
military coup
Derg
1980day.year
The 43rd government of Turkey is overthrown in a coup d'état led by General Kenan Evren.
General Kenan Evren led a coup on September 12, 1980, overthrowing Turkey's 43rd government and installing military rule.
On September 12, 1980, amid political turmoil and violence, Turkey's military led by General Kenan Evren executed a coup d'état, dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution. Martial law was declared nationwide, leading to the closure of political parties and media censorship. Thousands of suspected dissidents were arrested, with reports of widespread human rights abuses. Evren assumed the presidency and governed through the National Security Council, steering the country toward a new political order. Civilian rule was gradually restored in 1983 under a new constitution influenced by the military regime. The 1980 coup had a lasting impact on Turkey's democratic institutions and civil-military relations.
1980
43rd government of Turkey
coup d'état
Kenan Evren
1983day.year
The USSR vetoes a United Nations Security Council Resolution deploring the Soviet destruction of Korean Air Lines Flight 007.
The Soviet Union vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning its shootdown of Korean Air Lines Flight 007, intensifying Cold War tensions.
On September 12, 1983, the Soviet Union cast the sole veto against a UN resolution deploring the destruction of Korean Air Lines Flight 007. The civilian airliner had been shot down after straying into Soviet airspace, killing all 269 aboard. The United States and its allies sought international condemnation and an investigation. The USSR defended its actions by alleging espionage. The veto underscored deep mistrust between the superpowers and fueled public outrage globally. The incident led to heightened scrutiny of airspace incursions and military engagement protocols.
USSR
United Nations Security Council
Korean Air Lines Flight 007
1990day.year
The two German states and the Four Powers sign the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany in Moscow, paving the way for German reunification.
The Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany was signed in Moscow on September 12, 1990, bringing an end to post-war occupation and paving the way for reunification.
On September 12, 1990, the two German states, West Germany and East Germany, joined the four occupying powers—the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and France—in signing the Two Plus Four Treaty. The agreement resolved all outstanding post-World War II issues, including borders, military forces, and sovereignty. It affirmed Germany's existing frontiers and allowed for full reunification under internationally recognized terms. The treaty also laid out provisions for Germany's future NATO membership and committed to peaceful relations with neighboring countries. With its ratification on October 3, 1990, Germany regained full sovereignty and was reunited into a single nation. The treaty remains a landmark in European diplomacy and the Cold War's peaceful conclusion.
1990
Four Powers
Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany
German reunification
1990day.year
The Red Cross organizations of mainland China and Taiwan sign Kinmen Agreement on repatriation of illegal immigrants and criminal suspects after two days of talks in Kinmen, Fujian Province in response to the two tragedies in repatriation in the previous two months. It is the first agreement reached by private organizations across the Taiwan Strait.
China's and Taiwan's Red Cross societies signed the Kinmen Agreement on September 12, 1990, marking the first cross-strait accord by private organizations.
After two days of talks in Kinmen, the Red Cross branches of mainland China and Taiwan reached an agreement on repatriating illegal immigrants and criminal suspects. The talks were prompted by tragedies during forced returns, which highlighted the need for a humanitarian framework. The Kinmen Agreement established procedures for notification, screening, and safe return of individuals across the Taiwan Strait. Though not a government-to-government pact, it broke decades of diplomatic deadlock and set a precedent for future dialogue. The accord demonstrated the power of civil society to address urgent human rights concerns despite political tensions. It also fostered incremental trust that would influence subsequent cross-strait negotiations.
Red Cross organizations of mainland China
Taiwan
Kinmen Agreement
Kinmen
Fujian Province
Taiwan Strait