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
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
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
1850day.year
The papal bull Universalis Ecclesiae restores the Roman Catholic hierarchy in England and Wales.
Pope Pius IX's 1850 bull Universalis Ecclesiae restores the Roman Catholic diocesan structure in England and Wales after centuries of suppression.
Following Catholic emancipation in 1829, English and Welsh Catholics sought formal church organization. On September 29, 1850, Pope Pius IX issued Universalis Ecclesiae, reinstating a full diocesan hierarchy with thirteen sees. The decision sparked protests from the Anglican establishment and led to the British Ecclesiastical Titles Act. Despite controversy, the bull provided Catholic communities with recognized leadership and pastoral oversight. New archdioceses and bishops supported the growth of parishes, schools, and charitable works. This act marked a turning point in the revival of Catholicism in Great Britain.
1850
Universalis Ecclesiae
England and Wales
1864day.year
The Treaty of Lisbon defines the boundaries between Spain and Portugal and abolishes the Couto Misto microstate.
The 1864 Treaty of Lisbon settles the Spain-Portugal border and ends the autonomous Couto Misto enclave.
Signed on September 29, 1864, the Treaty of Lisbon resolved long-standing territorial disputes between Spain and Portugal. A joint survey commission demarcated the border from the Minho River to eastern Galicia. The treaty formally abolished Couto Misto, a unique microstate that had enjoyed tax exemptions and legal ambiguity for centuries. Residents were integrated into either Spanish or Portuguese jurisdictions, receiving national citizenship. Clarifying the frontier improved bilateral relations and trade across Iberia. It remains the foundational agreement defining the modern Spain-Portugal boundary.
Treaty of Lisbon
Couto Misto
1923day.year
The Mandate for Palestine takes effect, creating Mandatory Palestine.
The British Mandate for Palestine took effect under the League of Nations, establishing administration in the region.
On September 29, 1923, the League of Nations formally activated the Mandate for Palestine, granting Britain administrative control over the former Ottoman territory. The mandate required Britain to establish a national home for the Jewish people while safeguarding the civil and religious rights of all inhabitants. It laid the groundwork for mass Jewish immigration and development of infrastructure, roads, and institutions. The new governance structure also sparked increasing tensions between Jewish and Arab communities. The mandate period shaped the modern political landscape of the Middle East and influenced the path to the eventual creation of Israel in 1948. British policies during this time continue to impact the region's history and conflicts.
1923
Mandate for Palestine
Mandatory Palestine
1923day.year
The Mandate for Syria and Lebanon takes effect.
The French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon officially came into force following World War I agreements.
On September 29, 1923, the League of Nations ratified the French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, extending France's control over former Ottoman provinces. French authorities divided the region into several statelets, including Greater Lebanon, which set the stage for the modern nation of Lebanon. The mandate aimed to prepare local populations for self-rule but faced strong nationalist opposition and periodic revolts. France implemented administrative reforms, infrastructure projects, and educational programs, while also managing diverse religious and ethnic groups. The mandate period deeply influenced the political and social structures of both Syria and Lebanon. It remained in effect until the countries achieved independence in the 1940s.
Mandate for Syria and Lebanon
1971day.year
Oman joins the Arab League.
Oman joins the Arab League in 1971, strengthening its diplomatic and economic ties with other Arab nations.
On September 29, 1971, the Sultanate of Oman officially became a member of the League of Arab States, commonly known as the Arab League. This move marked Oman's increasing engagement with its regional neighbors following centuries of relative isolation. Membership offered Oman a platform for political dialogue, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange across the Arab world. It also enhanced the country's diplomatic standing and bolstered its security partnerships. As a member, Oman contributed to collective Arab initiatives on issues such as development, education, and regional conflict resolution. The decision reflected Oman's shift toward a more active foreign policy under Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Today, Oman continues to play a unique mediating role within the League, leveraging its neutral diplomatic stance.
1971
Arab League
1972day.year
Japan establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China after breaking official ties with the Republic of China.
Japan establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1972, reshaping East Asian geopolitics.
On September 29, 1972, Japan formally established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, ending official ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan). The normalization followed nearly three decades of Cold War dynamics and was negotiated under Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka. A joint communiqué set the terms for bilateral cooperation, including mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. The agreement opened new avenues for trade, cultural exchange, and technological collaboration between Tokyo and Beijing. It also shifted the balance of power in East Asia, influencing U.S. policy and regional diplomatic alignments. The decision laid the groundwork for Japan to become one of China’s largest trading partners and investment sources. This historic step remains a cornerstone of modern Sino-Japanese relations.
1972
Japan
diplomatic relations
People's Republic of China
Republic of China
1979day.year
The dictator Francisco Macias of Equatorial Guinea is executed by soldiers from Western Sahara.
In 1979, the ousted dictator Francisco Macias of Equatorial Guinea is executed, ending one of Africa’s most brutal regimes.
On September 29, 1979, Francisco Macias Nguema, the first president of Equatorial Guinea, was executed after a swift trial following his overthrow in a military coup on August 3 of the same year. Macias’s regime had been characterized by widespread human rights abuses, political repression, and economic mismanagement. The coup, led by his nephew Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, aimed to halt the country’s descent into chaos. Macias was tried by a special court for charges including genocide and embezzlement. His execution by firing squad marked a violent end to a brutal dictatorship that had decimated the nation’s population and stability. The transition ushered in a new leadership under Obiang, who implemented reforms and reestablished diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. This event highlighted the intense political turbulence in post-colonial Africa and its quest for stability.
1979
Francisco Macias
Equatorial Guinea
Western Sahara