96day.year
Nerva, suspected of complicity of the death of Domitian, is declared emperor by Senate. The Senate then annuls laws passed by Domitian and orders his statues to be destroyed.
After Domitian’s death, the Roman Senate proclaimed Nerva as emperor, overturning his predecessor’s laws and ordering his statues destroyed.
In AD 96, following the assassination of Emperor Domitian, the Roman Senate declared Marcus Cocceius Nerva as the new emperor. Nerva had been a respected senator and magistrate, chosen to restore stability and restore senatorial authority. The Senate swiftly annulled laws passed under Domitian’s autocratic regime and ordered the destruction of his statues. Nerva’s ascension marked the beginning of the Nervan-Antonine dynasty, a period noted for relative peace. He enacted reforms to relieve financial burdens on the populace and reinforced the power of the Senate. Despite his short reign of less than two years, Nerva’s appointment set a precedent for adoptive succession. His reign also paved the way for the “Five Good Emperors” era that followed. Historians view this transition as a crucial turning point in the Roman Empire’s governance and stability.
96
Nerva
Domitian
634day.year
Siege of Damascus: The Rashidun Arabs under Khalid ibn al-Walid capture Damascus from the Byzantine Empire.
Rashidun forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid captured Damascus, delivering a decisive blow to Byzantine rule in Syria.
In 634 CE, the Rashidun Muslim armies under the command of Khalid ibn al-Walid laid siege to the city of Damascus, then held by the Byzantines. The formidable general directed a strategic blockade and negotiation approach over several weeks. Despite strong city walls and a determined Byzantine garrison, internal dissent and supply shortages weakened resistance. On September 19, a faction within Damascus opened the gates to the Arab forces, leading to a swift occupation. Khalid granted generous terms to the city’s inhabitants, allowing freedom of worship and residence under the dhimmi status. Damascus became the first major urban center to fall in the early Islamic conquests, serving as a vital administrative hub. The capture reshaped the balance of power in the Levant and paved the way for further Arab expansion into Byzantine territories. This victory cemented Khalid’s reputation as one of history’s great military commanders.
634
Siege of Damascus
Khalid ibn al-Walid
1356day.year
Battle of Poitiers: An English army under the command of Edward the Black Prince defeats a French army and captures King John II.
Edward the Black Prince’s forces triumphed at Poitiers, defeating the French and capturing King John II.
In 1356, during the Hundred Years’ War, the English army commanded by Edward, the Black Prince, confronted a larger French force near Poitiers. Utilizing disciplined longbowmen and defensive positioning, the English prevented cavalry charges from breaking their lines. After fierce fighting, they overwhelmed the French knights and took King John II prisoner. This stunning triumph ended with the capture of the French monarch, plunging France into political turmoil. The victory led to the Treaty of Brétigny two years later, forcing France to cede vast territories and pay a hefty ransom. Edward’s tactics and the effectiveness of the longbow solidified English dominance on the battlefield. The battle is remembered as one of the most consequential engagements of the Hundred Years’ War. Its outcome shifted the momentum in favor of the English, shaping the course of medieval European history.
1356
Battle of Poitiers
Edward the Black Prince
1410day.year
End of the Siege of Marienburg: The State of the Teutonic Order repulses the joint Polish—Lithuanian forces.
The Teutonic Order repelled a combined Polish-Lithuanian siege, securing their stronghold at Marienburg.
In 1410, following their bloody defeat at the Battle of Grunwald, the Teutonic Knights retreated to their fortress at Marienburg. A joint Polish-Lithuanian army under King Władysław II Jagiełło laid siege to the castle in July, hoping to shatter the Order’s power. Despite being outnumbered, the Knights relied on the strong fortifications and adept engineering to withstand repeated assaults. The siege dragged on through the summer, with both sides suffering heavy losses. On September 19, the Teutonic defenders launched a successful sortie, inflicting significant casualties and breaking the encirclement. The failure to take Marienburg allowed the Order to regroup and continue the war. This defense preserved the Teutonic State’s survival for another century and influenced subsequent peace negotiations. Historians regard the siege’s end as a turning point that prevented a complete collapse of Teutonic authority in Prussia.
1410
Siege of Marienburg
State of the Teutonic Order
Polish
Lithuanian
1676day.year
Jamestown is burned to the ground by the forces of Nathaniel Bacon during Bacon's Rebellion.
During Bacon’s Rebellion, colonial insurgents led by Nathaniel Bacon set fire to Jamestown, Virginia.
In 1676, discontented settlers in Virginia, frustrated by Governor William Berkeley’s policies toward Native American tribes, rallied under Nathaniel Bacon’s leadership. The rebellion quickly escalated into armed conflict between frontier settlers and colonial authorities. On September 19, Bacon’s forces marched on the capital, Jamestown, and set the colonial seat ablaze. The dramatic burning of the town symbolized deep social and economic grievances among small farmers and indentured servants. Although the rebellion collapsed soon after Bacon’s sudden death from dysentery, it exposed the brittleness of colonial governance. In response, the British Crown restructured Virginia’s administration and altered policies to avert future insurrections. Historians view Bacon’s Rebellion as an early flashpoint in American colonial resistance. The event foreshadowed themes of populist uprisings that would resonate in later revolutionary movements.
1676
Bacon's Rebellion
1777day.year
American Revolutionary War: British forces win a tactically expensive victory over the Continental Army in the First Battle of Saratoga.
British troops achieved a costly victory at Freeman’s Farm during the First Battle of Saratoga.
In the autumn of 1777, British General John Burgoyne advanced south from Canada in hopes of bisecting the rebellious colonies along the Hudson River. On September 19, at Freeman’s Farm near Saratoga, New York, Burgoyne’s troops clashed with American soldiers led by General Horatio Gates. The British infantry and Hessian mercenaries managed to push back the colonial militia, securing control of the battlefield by nightfall. However, heavy casualties and logistical difficulties hampered further advances. Although a tactical victory for the British, the battle weakened Burgoyne’s forces and emboldened American resistance. The engagement set the stage for the decisive American victory at the Second Battle of Saratoga (Bemis Heights) on October 7. The combined American successes at Saratoga convinced France to enter the war, altering the strategic balance. This campaign remains a pivotal moment in the American struggle for independence.
1777
American Revolutionary War
First Battle of Saratoga
1778day.year
The Continental Congress passes the first United States federal budget.
The Continental Congress approved the first U.S. federal budget, establishing an early framework for national finance.
In 1778, amid the financial strains of the Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress took a landmark step in nation-building by approving the first federal budget of the fledgling United States. This budget outlined projected expenditures for the military, diplomatic efforts, and civil administration. To raise revenues, Congress authorized new taxes on imported goods and pledged to repay wartime loans with future tax receipts. The budget marked the first formal exercise of centralized fiscal authority, setting precedents for congressional oversight and public accountability. Delegates debated allocations to ensure soldiers and suppliers were paid, while also funding foreign alliances crucial to war efforts. Though funding remained a persistent challenge, this budget represented the embryonic stages of American public finance. The framework established in 1778 laid the groundwork for the U.S. Treasury and enduring budgetary processes. Historians view this measure as a critical step in the evolution of federal governance.
1778
Continental Congress
United States federal budget
1796day.year
George Washington's Farewell Address is printed across America as an open letter to the public.
George Washington’s Farewell Address was published nationwide, offering reflections on governance and unity.
In September 1796, after nearly a decade as the first President of the United States, George Washington prepared his Farewell Address to announce his retirement and share his reflections. On September 19, the address was printed in newspapers across the young nation as a public letter from the retiring leader. Washington emphasized the importance of national unity, the rule of law, and the dangers of sectionalism. He cautioned against the rise of partisan politics and urged Americans to avoid entangling alliances with foreign powers. The address was widely reprinted and became a foundational document for American civic education. Its themes influenced U.S. foreign policy for generations and solidified Washington’s legacy as a guide to statesmanship. The Farewell Address remains one of the most influential political writings in American history.
1796
George Washington's Farewell Address
1799day.year
French Revolutionary Wars: French-Dutch victory against the Russians and British in the Battle of Bergen.
French and Dutch forces repelled Anglo-Russian attackers at the Battle of Bergen, maintaining control of the Netherlands.
In the autumn of 1799, the War of the Second Coalition saw an Anglo-Russian force attempt to penetrate the Batavian Republic from the north. On September 19, a French army allied with Dutch troops engaged the invading forces at Bergen. Despite concerted assaults, the coalition could not breach the defensive lines and suffered heavy casualties. The defenders held key fortifications and delivered effective counterattacks that stalled the advance. By nightfall, the Russian and British commanders were forced to call off further offensive operations. This victory secured the Dutch coastline and maintained French influence in the region. Though smaller in scale, the Battle of Bergen demonstrated the resilience of the Batavian Republic’s military alliance with France. The outcome contributed to the eventual stabilization of the northern front in 1799.
1799
French Revolutionary Wars
Battle of Bergen
1846day.year
Two French shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, experience a Marian apparition on a mountaintop near La Salette, France, now known as Our Lady of La Salette.
Two shepherd children reported witnessing a Marian apparition near La Salette, France, in 1846.
In 1846, two French shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat (age 14) and Maximin Giraud (age 11), tended flocks on the slopes of Mount Sous near the village of La Salette. On September 19, they claimed to witness a luminous figure of the Virgin Mary weeping tears, speaking to them in both French and the local dialect. The apparition conveyed messages urging repentance, prayer, and the observance of the Sabbath. Word quickly spread, drawing thousands of pilgrims to the remote mountain, despite initial skepticism from local authorities. The Catholic Church conducted investigations and formally approved the apparition in 1851, leading to the construction of a basilica and the establishment of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. La Salette became an enduring pilgrimage destination, inspiring devotion worldwide. The event is remembered for its profound impact on Marian spirituality and expressions of faith in 19th-century France.
1846
Marian apparition
Our Lady of La Salette
1852day.year
Annibale de Gasparis discovers the asteroid Massalia from the north dome of the Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte.
In 1852, Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis discovered the asteroid Massalia at the Capodimonte Observatory in Naples.
On September 19, 1852, Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis identified the asteroid Massalia from the north dome of the Capodimonte Observatory. Using precise telescopic observations, he tracked its movements against the backdrop of stars and calculated its orbit. This discovery added a significant member to the growing catalog of minor planets in the 19th century. Massalia later gave its name to a prominent asteroid family in the main belt. De Gasparis's work exemplified the meticulous methods of early asteroid hunters and advanced our understanding of solar system dynamics. The finding remains a milestone in the history of observational astronomy.
1852
Annibale de Gasparis
Massalia
1862day.year
American Civil War: Union troops under William Rosecrans defeat a Confederate force commanded by Sterling Price.
On September 19, 1862, Union forces under Major General William Rosecrans defeated Confederate troops led by Sterling Price during the American Civil War.
On September 19, 1862, Union troops commanded by Major General William Rosecrans engaged Sterling Price’s Confederate force near Iuka, Mississippi. Rosecrans’s coordinated assault dislodged Price’s men and thwarted their campaign to reinforce other Confederate armies in the Western Theater. The victory strengthened Union control in northern Mississippi and boosted Federal morale ahead of the Corinth operations. Price’s army suffered significant casualties and was forced to retreat, limiting Confederate strategic options in the region. The engagement showcased Rosecrans’s tactical skill and contributed to the shifting momentum of the war in favor of the Union.
1862
American Civil War
defeat