904day.year
The warlord Zhu Quanzhong kills Emperor Zhaozong, the penultimate emperor of the Tang dynasty, after seizing control of the imperial government.
In 904, warlord Zhu Quanzhong seized control of the Tang imperial court and assassinated Emperor Zhaozong, marking the dynasty's final decline.
By the early 10th century, the Tang dynasty was weakened by internal strife and regional warlords. Zhu Quanzhong, a powerful general, had gradually consolidated military control over the imperial court. On September 22, 904, he seized the palace and executed Emperor Zhaozong, the dynasty's penultimate ruler. This assassination marked a decisive end to central Tang authority and paved the way for the Later Liang dynasty. Zhu later deposed Zhaozong's son and established his own rule. The event symbolized the collapse of one of China's greatest dynasties and ushered in the chaotic Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It remains a pivotal moment illustrating the volatility of late imperial politics.
904
Zhu Quanzhong
Emperor Zhaozong
1236day.year
The Samogitians defeat the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in the Battle of Saule.
In 1236, the Samogitian tribes routed the Livonian Brothers of the Sword at the Battle of Saule, halting the northern crusaders' advance.
The Battle of Saule took place near present-day Šiauliai in northern Lithuania. Samogitian warriors ambushed the Livonian Order, inflicting heavy casualties and capturing many knights. This victory crippled the crusading knights and forced them to merge with the Teutonic Order soon after. The win ensured Samogitia remained free of Germanic rule and inspired regional resistance. It is celebrated as a symbol of Lithuanian identity and resilience. The battle reshaped power dynamics in the Baltic region during the 13th century and cemented Samogitia’s reputation as a formidable opponent.
1236
Battle of Saule
1359day.year
An Aragonese cavalry force defeats a superior Castilian cavalry force in the Battle of Araviana during the War of the Two Peters.
In 1359, during the War of the Two Peters, an Aragonese cavalry detachment routed a larger Castilian force at Araviana.
The Battle of Araviana occurred on September 22, 1359, in northeastern Spain amid the War of the Two Peters. Despite being outnumbered, the Aragonese knights employed superior tactics and momentum to overwhelm the Castilian cavalry. This clash boosted Aragonese morale and disrupted Castilian operations in the region. The victory demonstrated the effectiveness of agile cavalry maneuvers over sheer numbers. It influenced subsequent diplomatic talks between Peter IV of Aragon and Peter of Castile. Araviana remains a notable example of medieval Iberian warfare and strategic ingenuity under pressure.
1359
Battle of Araviana
War of the Two Peters
1499day.year
The Treaty of Basel concludes the Swabian War.
In 1499, the Treaty of Basel ended the Swabian War, securing Swiss autonomy within the Holy Roman Empire.
The Treaty of Basel was signed on September 22, 1499, bringing the Swabian War to a close between the Old Swiss Confederacy and the Swabian League. Negotiations at Basel confirmed the de facto independence of the Swiss cantons by lifting imperial bans. The agreement halted decades of border skirmishes and regional unrest. It laid the groundwork for the Swiss Confederacy’s growth in trade and political influence. The treaty is regarded as a milestone in the emergence of Switzerland as a distinct entity within Central Europe. Its resolution reshaped power balances at the dawn of the 16th century.
1499
Treaty of Basel
Swabian War
1586day.year
Eighty Years' War: A Spanish force led by the Marquis del Vasto successfully fights its way past a joint English/Dutch ambush in the Battle of Zutphen.
In 1586, during the Eighty Years' War, Spanish forces under the Marquis del Vasto broke through an English-Dutch ambush at Zutphen.
The Battle of Zutphen on September 22, 1586, was fought near the Dutch town of Zutphen amidst the Eighty Years' War. A relief column led by the Marquis del Vasto faced a coordinated English and Dutch ambush. Despite the surprise attack, Spanish pikemen and cavalry maintained their formation and forced a passage to the besieged garrison. This action secured vital supplies and boosted Spanish morale. The clash became notable for the discipline and resilience of the Habsburg troops. It also saw participation from English commanders such as Sir Philip Sidney. Zutphen highlighted the brutal nature of the protracted struggle for control in the Low Countries.
1586
Eighty Years' War
Marquis del Vasto
English
Dutch
Battle of Zutphen
1692day.year
Martha Corey, Mary Eastey, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmot Redd, Margaret Scott, and Samuel Wardwell are hanged, the last of those to be executed in the Salem witch trials.
In 1692, eight individuals were hanged in Salem, Massachusetts, marking the final executions of the infamous Salem witch trials.
The Salem witch trials were a series of prosecutions against suspected witches in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. On September 22, 1692, Martha Corey, Mary Eastey, Alice Parker, Mary Parker, Ann Pudeator, Wilmot Redd, Margaret Scott, and Samuel Wardwell were executed on Gallows Hill. These were the last people to die as a result of the mass hysteria and tragic legal errors. The events stirred panic and suspicion within Puritan communities, fueled by religious fervor and personal vendettas. Public outcry and higher government intervention eventually brought the trials to an end. The episodes prompted legal reforms and are remembered as a cautionary tale about due process and communal fear. Today, memorials honor those unjustly persecuted.
1692
Martha Corey
Mary Eastey
Alice Parker
Mary Parker
Ann Pudeator
Wilmot Redd
Margaret Scott
Samuel Wardwell
Salem witch trials
1711day.year
The first attacks of the Tuscarora War begin in present-day North Carolina.
In 1711, the first attacks of the Tuscarora War erupted in North Carolina as tensions between colonists and Native Americans escalated.
The Tuscarora War began on September 22, 1711, when the Tuscarora tribe launched coordinated assaults on colonial settlements in present-day North Carolina. Growing pressures from land encroachment, trade disputes, and the colonial slave trade fueled Native resistance. Colonial militias, supported by South Carolina forces and allied tribes, retaliated with equal ferocity. The conflict lasted until 1715 and concluded with a treaty in 1718. Many Tuscarora migrated north to join the Iroquois Confederacy following the war. The struggle reshaped regional power dynamics and influenced subsequent colonial-Native American relations. It highlights the fierce contest over land and sovereignty in early America.
1711
Tuscarora War
North Carolina
1761day.year
George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz are crowned King and Queen, respectively, of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
On September 22, 1761, George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz were crowned King and Queen of Great Britain at Westminster Abbey.
The coronation of George III took place on September 22, 1761, at Westminster Abbey in London. Ascending to the throne at age 22, George’s reign would become one of the longest in British history. His bride, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, joined him in elaborate ceremony, symbolizing dynastic continuity. The event followed Britain’s successes in the Seven Years’ War, heightening national pride. Pageantry, music, and lavish public celebrations set a new standard for royal ceremonies. The coronation reinforced the monarchy’s central role in British politics and culture. It also marked the beginning of a partnership whose patronage would shape the arts and sciences.
1761
George III
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
crowned King and Queen
1776day.year
Nathan Hale is hanged for spying during the American Revolution.
In 1776, American patriot Nathan Hale was executed for espionage by British forces, becoming a symbol of Revolutionary sacrifice.
Nathan Hale volunteered to serve as a spy for the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Captured by British troops near New York City on September 21, 1776, he was tried and convicted of espionage. On September 22, he was hanged at the prison yard, reportedly declaring, 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.' Hale's sacrifice turned him into an enduring symbol of American patriotism and selfless devotion. His story has inspired monuments, statues, and countless tributes across the United States. The date remains a poignant reminder of the risks faced by those who fought for independence.
1776
Nathan Hale
1789day.year
The office of United States Postmaster General is established.
In 1789, the United States established the office of Postmaster General, laying the foundation for a national postal system.
On September 22, 1789, the first Act of Congress under the new U.S. Constitution created the United States Post Office Department and the position of Postmaster General. This legislation organized mail delivery across the young nation, linking distant states and territories. The establishment of the office facilitated communication, commerce, and governance in the post-Revolutionary period. It set a precedent for federal involvement in infrastructure and public services. Over time, the Post Office became a critical institution for American daily life. The date is remembered as a milestone in the country's civic and administrative development.
1789
United States Postmaster General
1789day.year
Battle of Rymnik: Alexander Suvorov's Russian and allied army defeats superior Ottoman Empire forces.
In 1789, Count Alexander Suvorov led Russian and allied troops to a decisive victory over a larger Ottoman force at the Battle of Rymnik.
On September 22, 1789, Russian General Alexander Suvorov attacked Ottoman positions along the Rymnik River.
Outnumbered, Suvorov's 25,000-strong force executed a surprise crossing at dawn, catching the enemy off guard.
His disciplined infantry and agile cavalry units overwhelmed the Ottoman defenses within hours.
The battle resulted in heavy casualties for the Ottomans and the capture of artillery and supplies.
This triumph secured Russian dominance in Moldavia and Wallachia during the Russo-Turkish War.
Suvorov's innovative tactics and bold leadership earned him widespread acclaim and a promotion to Field Marshal.
The victory at Rymnik remains one of the greatest military achievements of the 18th century.
Battle of Rymnik
1792day.year
Primidi Vendémiaire of year one of the French Republican Calendar as the French First Republic comes into being.
On September 22, 1792, France inaugurated Primidi Vendémiaire of Year I, officially establishing the French First Republic.
Primidi Vendémiaire marked the first day of the French Revolutionary Calendar and symbolized the break from the Ancien Régime.
On this day, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and formed the French First Republic.
Royalist symbols were suppressed in favor of new republican calendars and civic traditions.
The revolutionary government introduced decimal time and new month names to reflect Enlightenment ideals.
This radical calendar reform aimed to secularize and rationalize French society after the Revolution.
Although later abandoned, the Revolutionary Calendar exemplified the era's fervent desire for political and cultural transformation.
1792
Vendémiaire