61 BC
Pompey the Great celebrates his third triumph for victories over the pirates and the end of the Mithridatic Wars on his 45th birthday.
On his 45th birthday in 61 BC, Roman general Pompey the Great held his third triumph in Rome, celebrating victories over Mediterranean pirates and the end of the Mithridatic Wars.
In 61 BC, Roman statesman Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus staged his third triumph, a grand procession through Rome to honor military success. He was celebrated for defeating Cilician pirates, securing vital trade routes for the Republic. The ceremony also marked the conclusion of the Mithridatic Wars against King Mithridates VI of Pontus. Pompey paraded spoils of war, captives, and exotic animals before enthusiastic crowds. Triumphs were the highest military honors in Rome, symbolizing power and divine favor. This event cemented Pompey's reputation as one of antiquity's greatest commanders.
61 BC
Pompey the Great
triumph
Mithridatic Wars
1011day.year
Danes capture Canterbury after a siege, taking Ælfheah, archbishop of Canterbury, as a prisoner.
Danish Viking forces capture Canterbury after a siege in 1011, seizing Archbishop Ælfheah as a hostage.
In 1011, a formidable Danish Viking army laid siege to Canterbury, one of England's most important ecclesiastical centers. After intense fighting, the defenders capitulated, and the Vikings entered the city. They took Archbishop Ælfheah prisoner, hoping to extract a large ransom. Ælfheah's subsequent refusal to authorize the payment heightened tensions. This raid exemplified the tumultuous era of Viking incursions in the British Isles. The fall of Canterbury sent shockwaves through Anglo-Saxon England, underscoring the kingdom's vulnerability.
1011
capture Canterbury after a siege
Ælfheah
archbishop of Canterbury
1227day.year
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, is excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX for his failure to participate in the Crusades during the Investiture Controversy.
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II is excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX in 1227 for defying calls to lead a Crusade during the Investiture Controversy.
On September 29, 1227, Pope Gregory IX issued a bull excommunicating Emperor Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire. Frederick had repeatedly delayed his departure for the Sixth Crusade, prompting papal anger over broken vows. The excommunication stripped him of spiritual and political legitimacy, igniting a prolonged conflict between imperial and papal authority. This clash epitomized the wider Investiture Controversy over church-state relations in medieval Europe. Frederick's reputation suffered, but he later negotiated a crusader truce despite the ban. The event highlighted the pope's power to challenge secular rulers.
1227
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor
Pope Gregory IX
Crusades
Investiture Controversy
1267day.year
The Treaty of Montgomery recognises Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as Prince of Wales, but only as a vassal of King Henry III.
The Treaty of Montgomery in 1267 recognizes Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as Prince of Wales, albeit as a vassal under King Henry III of England.
The 1267 Treaty of Montgomery marked a significant moment in Welsh-English relations during the 13th century. King Henry III formally acknowledged Llywelyn ap Gruffudd's title as Prince of Wales in return for fealty and homage. This diplomatic accord granted Llywelyn control over much of North and Mid Wales, consolidating his authority. It followed years of intermittent warfare and negotiations between Welsh princes and the English crown. While the treaty brought temporary peace, it also laid the groundwork for future tensions over Welsh autonomy. Llywelyn's recognition elevated the status of the Welsh principality within the feudal hierarchy of England.
1267
Treaty of Montgomery
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd
King Henry III
1364day.year
During the Hundred Years' War, Anglo-Breton forces defeat the Franco-Breton army in Brittany, ending the War of the Breton Succession.
Anglo-Breton forces defeat the Franco-Breton army in Brittany in 1364, ending the War of the Breton Succession during the Hundred Years' War.
On September 29, 1364, Anglo-Breton troops secured a decisive victory over Franco-Breton forces at the Battle of Auray. This clash, part of the larger Hundred Years' War, resolved the protracted War of the Breton Succession. Charles of Blois, supported by France, was killed in battle, ensuring victory for John de Montfort with English backing. The victory solidified de Montfort's claim to the Breton duchy and strengthened English influence in the region. The treaty that followed cemented Montfort's rule and established a strategic alliance. Brittany's future was shaped by the outcome, influencing the balance of power in medieval France.
1364
Hundred Years' War
defeat
Brittany
War of the Breton Succession
1567day.year
During the French War of Religion, Protestant coup officials in Nîmes massacre Catholic priests in an event now known as the Michelade.
Known as the Michelade, Protestant officials in Nîmes massacre Catholic clergy during a coup in 1567 amidst the French Wars of Religion.
In 1567, Nîmes became a flashpoint in the French Wars of Religion when Protestant leaders seized control of the city. During the Michelade massacre, they executed dozens of Catholic priests and monks. The violence erupted after mounting tensions between Huguenots and Catholics over religious and political rights. Although driven by local grievances, the massacre reflected broader struggles for power and faith in France. News of the event spread shock and outrage across Europe. The Michelade intensified the cycle of retaliation and reprisal that defined the era.
1567
French War of Religion
Protestant
Nîmes
Catholic
Michelade
1578day.year
Tegucigalpa, capital city of Honduras, is claimed by the Spaniards.
Spanish conquistadors claim Tegucigalpa, the site of modern-day Honduras' capital, for the Spanish Empire in 1578.
In 1578, Spanish explorers formally claimed the valley of Tegucigalpa, marking a key step in the colonial expansion of the New World. The rich silver mines in the area would later fuel the region's economic growth under Spanish rule. Tegucigalpa's foundation grew around the mining industry, attracting settlers and missionaries. The Spanish crown integrated the territory into its broader administrative network in Central America. Indigenous peoples were subjected to labor drafts and Christianization efforts. Over centuries, the settlement evolved into Honduras' political and cultural center.
1578
Tegucigalpa
claimed by the Spaniards
1714day.year
The Cossacks of the Russian Empire kill about 800 people overnight in Hailuoto during the Great Wrath.
During the period known as the Great Wrath in 1714, Cossack forces of the Russian Empire massacre around 800 residents of Hailuoto.
In the autumn of 1714, amid the Great Northern War, Cossack regiments under Russian command landed on the island of Hailuoto off Finland's coast. Over one night, they killed approximately 800 inhabitants, including civilians of all ages. The atrocity occurred during Russia's occupation of Finnish territories, instilling fear throughout the region. Local chronicles recount the brutality and the refugees who fled across the frozen sea. The event became emblematic of the hardships endured by Finns during the Great Wrath (Isoviha). It left a lasting scar on local memory and folklore.
1714
Cossacks
Russian Empire
Hailuoto
Great Wrath
1717day.year
An earthquake strikes Antigua Guatemala, destroying much of the city's architecture.
A devastating earthquake strikes Antigua Guatemala in 1717, causing widespread destruction of its colonial architecture.
On September 29, 1717, a powerful earthquake rocked Antigua Guatemala, then the capital of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala. Many churches, monasteries, and civic buildings collapsed or were severely damaged. The city's celebrated baroque architecture lay in ruins, prompting debates about relocating the capital. Survivors faced shortages of food, shelter, and medical care in the chaotic aftermath. Despite the devastation, some structures were rebuilt, demonstrating the resilience of the colonial community. Repeated seismic events eventually led to the capital's eventual move to what is now Guatemala City.
1717
earthquake
Antigua Guatemala
1724day.year
J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir, BWV 130 for the feast of archangel Michael, based on Paul Eber's hymn in twelve stanzas.
Composer J. S. Bach conducts the premiere of his cantata Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir, BWV 130, on the Feast of St. Michael in 1724.
On September 29, 1724, Johann Sebastian Bach premiered the church cantata Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir (BWV 130) in Leipzig. Written for the Feast of St. Michael, the work set a 16th-century hymn by Paul Eber to rich Baroque scoring. Bach's composition features intricate choruses, solos, and orchestral accompaniment, showcasing his mastery of counterpoint. The performance took place at the St. Thomas Church, where he served as Thomaskantor. The cantata remains a celebrated example of Bach's sacred music, blending theological depth with musical brilliance. It continues to be performed by choirs worldwide, marking Bach's enduring influence on choral repertoire.
1724
J. S. Bach
Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir, BWV 130
archangel Michael
Paul Eber
1789day.year
The United States Department of War first establishes a regular army with a strength of several hundred men.
In 1789, the U.S. Department of War establishes the nation's first standing army of several hundred soldiers.
Following the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the federal government under President George Washington sought a unified defense force. On September 29, 1789, the Department of War formally established a regular army with an initial strength of several hundred men. Prior to this, the nation relied on state militias with uneven training and organization. The creation of a standing army marked a decisive move toward asserting federal authority and ensuring national security. It laid the foundations for the modern U.S. Army and influenced future military doctrine. This milestone shaped the relationship between civilian leadership and the military in the early republic.
1789
United States Department of War
regular army
1829day.year
The Metropolitan Police of London, later also known as the Met, is founded.
London's Metropolitan Police is created in 1829, laying the groundwork for modern professional policing.
The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829, championed by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel, established Britain’s first centralized police force. Uniformed officers, known as Bobbies, patrolled London’s streets in organized districts, replacing disparate parish watchmen. The emphasis on crime prevention through visible presence set a new standard for law enforcement. This model introduced structured training, clear command, and accountability for officers. Within years, cities across Britain and the world adopted the Metropolitan Police system. The founding of the Met transformed public safety and community relations with the state.
1829
Metropolitan Police