46 BC
Julius Caesar dedicates a temple to Venus Genetrix, fulfilling a vow he made at the Battle of Pharsalus.
Julius Caesar dedicates a temple to Venus Genetrix in Rome, fulfilling a vow from the Battle of Pharsalus.
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar marked his victory at Pharsalus by dedicating a splendid temple to Venus Genetrix in the Roman Forum.
He had vowed to honor the goddess of lineage and motherhood if he prevailed against Pompeian forces.
The temple’s dedication reinforced Caesar’s political image and his claim to divine favor through Venus, ancestor of the Julian family.
Its design featured Corinthian columns, ornate friezes, and imported marble, reflecting Roman architectural innovation.
This act blended religion, politics, and propaganda, showcasing Caesar’s ambition and reshaping Rome’s urban and spiritual landscape.
46 BC
Julius Caesar
temple to Venus Genetrix
Battle of Pharsalus
715day.year
Ragenfrid defeats Theudoald at the Battle of Compiègne.
Ragenfrid defeats Theudoald at the Battle of Compiègne, shifting power in the Frankish realms.
In 715, Frankish mayor of the palace Ragenfrid led his forces to victory over Theudoald at Compiègne.
This battle marked a significant challenge to the Angevins' control following the death of King Dagobert III.
Ragenfrid’s triumph weakened the Arnulfing faction and bolstered his influence under the Merovingian monarchy.
The conflict foreshadowed the rise of the Carolingian family, who would soon dominate Frankish politics.
Although details are scarce, the battle exemplified the power struggles that shaped early medieval Europe.
715
Battle of Compiègne
1087day.year
William II is crowned King of England, and reigns until 1100.
William II, known as William Rufus, is crowned King of England, beginning his reign until 1100.
On September 26, 1087, William II, the third son of William the Conqueror, was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.
Nicknamed William Rufus for his red hair and temper, he succeeded his father amidst disputes over Normandy.
His reign was marked by tensions with the Church, financial exactions, and conflict with his brothers over inheritance.
William II’s rule saw the consolidation of Norman authority and development of royal administration.
His sudden death in the New Forest in 1100 remains shrouded in mystery and sparked succession struggles.
1087
William II
1212day.year
The Golden Bull of Sicily is issued to confirm the hereditary royal title in Bohemia for the Přemyslid dynasty.
The Golden Bull of Sicily grants the Přemyslid dynasty hereditary royal rights in Bohemia.
In 1212, Emperor Frederick II issued the Golden Bull of Sicily to Duke Ottokar I of Bohemia.
The decree recognized Prague as a hereditary kingdom and confirmed the Přemyslid dynasty’s royal title.
It granted Bohemian rulers autonomy within the Holy Roman Empire and strengthened their legal and political status.
By securing hereditary succession, the Golden Bull stabilized Bohemia’s internal governance and dynastic continuity.
This foundational charter laid the groundwork for Prague’s emergence as a major Central European power.
1212
Golden Bull of Sicily
1345day.year
Friso-Hollandic Wars: Frisians defeat Holland in the Battle of Warns.
Frisian forces defeat the Count of Holland’s army at the Battle of Warns during the Friso-Hollandic Wars.
On September 26, 1345, Frisian militias routed a Holland army on the frozen waters near Warns in present-day Netherlands.
Count William IV of Holland led his troops across ice to confront the Frisians but underestimated local conditions.
The icy terrain broke under the soldiers’ weight, causing chaos, drownings, and a decisive Frisian victory.
The battle halted Holland’s expansion into Frisian territories and preserved regional independence for decades.
It remains celebrated in Frisian memory as a symbol of local resilience against external domination.
1345
Battle of Warns
1371day.year
Serbian–Turkish wars: Ottoman Turks fought against a Serbian army at the Battle of Maritsa.
In the Battle of Maritsa, Ottoman forces defeat a Serbian army, advancing their power in the Balkans.
On September 26, 1371, Ottoman forces ambushed a Serbian army near the Maritsa River in modern-day Bulgaria.
The Serbian lords were caught off guard in a night attack, leading to heavy casualties and collapse of their defense.
The victory secured Ottoman dominance over much of the western Balkans and subdued the Serbian Empire’s influence.
This battle marked a turning point that accelerated Ottoman expansion into Southeastern Europe.
The defeat weakened Balkan resistance and paved the way for future Ottoman conquests in the region.
1371
Battle of Maritsa
1423day.year
Hundred Years' War: A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière.
A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière during the Hundred Years’ War.
In September 1423, French forces led by commanders La Trémoille and Dunois intercepted an English raiding party at La Brossinière.
Utilizing local intelligence and maneuver warfare, the French ambushed the English troops near Mayenne.
The rout inflicted heavy losses on the English and disrupted their operations in northwest France.
This victory boosted French morale and demonstrated the effectiveness of regional militias against protracted English campaigns.
Although minor compared to larger engagements, La Brossinière exemplified shifting momentum in the later stages of the war.
1423
Hundred Years' War
Battle of La Brossinière
1493day.year
Pope Alexander VI issues the papal bull Dudum siquidem to the Spanish, extending the grant of new lands he made them in Inter caetera.
Pope Alexander VI issues the papal bull Dudum siquidem, expanding Spanish colonial claims in the New World.
On September 26, 1493, Pope Alexander VI promulgated Dudum siquidem to further grant Spain rights over newly discovered lands.
This bull extended previous decrees by forbidding other Christian powers from colonizing territories west of a defined meridian.
Dudum siquidem empowered Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella with exclusive rights for evangelization and settlement.
The decree intensified competition between Spain and Portugal, leading to renegotiations in subsequent treaties.
It laid a papal foundation for the age of global colonization that reshaped indigenous societies and world trade.
1493
Dudum siquidem
Inter caetera
1580day.year
Francis Drake finishes his circumnavigation of the Earth in Plymouth, England.
Sir Francis Drake completes his epic circumnavigation of the globe, arriving in Plymouth, England.
On September 26, 1580, Sir Francis Drake returned to Plymouth Harbor, successfully completing the second circumnavigation of the world.
His expedition, which began in 1577, combined exploration, privateering, and scientific observation.
Drake’s voyage brought back valuable maps, exotic goods, and strategic knowledge of new sea routes.
He was knighted aboard his ship, the Golden Hind, shortly after anchoring, cementing his status as a national hero.
This achievement bolstered English naval prestige and inspired future voyages during the Elizabethan era.
1580
Francis Drake
his circumnavigation of the Earth
1687day.year
Morean War: The Parthenon in Athens, used as a gunpowder depot by the Ottoman garrison, is partially destroyed after being bombarded during the Siege of the Acropolis by Venetian forces.
Venetian bombardment during the Morean War partially destroys the Parthenon in Athens.
During the Siege of the Acropolis in 1687, Venetian artillery struck the Ottoman-held Parthenon.
The Ottomans had stored gunpowder within the ancient temple, which exploded under bombardment.
The blast devastated the central naos and shattered its columns and sculptures beyond repair.
Once a symbol of classical Greek architecture, the Parthenon’s ruin highlighted the vulnerability of cultural heritage in warfare.
This event initiated centuries of ruin and debate over restoration, preserving its memory as a world monument.
1687
Morean War
Parthenon
Ottoman
Siege of the Acropolis
Venetian
1688day.year
The city council of Amsterdam votes to support William of Orange's invasion of England, which became the Glorious Revolution.
Amsterdam's city council backed William of Orange's invasion, tipping the scales toward the Glorious Revolution.
In September 1688, the city council of Amsterdam delivered a crucial vote to support William of Orange's planned invasion of England. The council, wary of King James II's Catholic policies and potential alliances with France, provided vital financial and military backing for the expedition. Their decision bolstered William's forces and signaled strong Dutch interest in a Protestant succession on the English throne. This support proved decisive in ensuring William and Mary's swift and largely bloodless ascent to power. The Glorious Revolution that followed established parliamentary supremacy and laid the foundation for modern constitutional monarchy in Britain. European powers took note of the momentous shift in English governance and religious policy. The events of September 26, 1688, are celebrated as a turning point in Western political history.
1688
Glorious Revolution
1777day.year
American Revolution: British troops occupy Philadelphia.
British forces captured Philadelphia, the American capital, in a bold move during the Revolutionary War.
In 1777, British General William Howe led his troops into Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress, following victory at the Battle of Brandywine. The occupation marked one of the British Army's most significant achievements in the American Revolution, aiming to disrupt the rebel government. Although the British held the city for several months, American forces continued to resist through guerrilla tactics and strategic relocations. The Continental Congress retreated to York, Pennsylvania, where it sustained its efforts under challenging conditions. Supply shortages, disease, and persistent skirmishes strained British resources and morale. The campaign ultimately failed to suppress the colonial uprising, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the American cause. The occupation of Philadelphia remains a vivid example of the ebb and flow of power during the war.
1777
occupy