539 BC
The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia conquer Babylon, ending the Babylonian empire. (Julian calendar)
In 539 BC, Cyrus the Great's Persian army captured Babylon, bringing an end to the ancient Babylonian Empire.
In 539 BC, the forces commanded by Cyrus the Great laid siege to the walled city of Babylon and achieved a swift victory. The fall of Babylon marked the collapse of one of the most powerful empires of the ancient Near East. Under Cyrus’s leadership, Persia not only expanded its territory but also embraced a policy of relative tolerance toward conquered peoples. This conquest is famously commemorated on the Cyrus Cylinder, often regarded as an early charter of human rights. The event reshaped the political and cultural landscape of Mesopotamia for centuries to come.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great
Persia
conquer
Babylon
Julian calendar
633day.year
Battle of Hatfield Chase: King Edwin of Northumbria is defeated and killed by an alliance under Penda of Mercia and Cadwallon of Gwynedd.
In 633, King Edwin of Northumbria was defeated and slain at the Battle of Hatfield Chase by an alliance of Mercian and Welsh forces.
The Battle of Hatfield Chase took place in 633 when King Edwin of Northumbria faced an alliance led by Penda of Mercia and Cadwallon of Gwynedd. Edwin’s defeat and death plunged Northumbria into a period of political instability and power struggles among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. This clash reflected the shifting alliances and territorial ambitions that characterized early medieval Britain. The victory elevated Mercian influence in the region and demonstrated the military prowess of Cadwallon’s Welsh forces. In the aftermath, Northumbria was temporarily divided, highlighting the fragile nature of early English kingship.
633
Battle of Hatfield Chase
Edwin of Northumbria
Penda of Mercia
Cadwallon of Gwynedd
1279day.year
The Nichiren Shōshū branch of Buddhism is founded in Japan.
In 1279, the Nichiren Shōshū branch of Buddhism was established in Japan, tracing its origins to the teachings of Nichiren.
Nichiren Shōshū emerged in 1279 as a distinct branch of Nichiren Buddhism, founded on the belief that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate teaching of the Buddha. Its adherents follow the teachings of the 13th-century monk Nichiren, who emphasized faith in the daimoku chant "Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō". This branch developed unique liturgical practices and established head temples in the Kamakura period. Over the centuries, Nichiren Shōshū attracted a devoted following and played a significant role in the religious landscape of medieval Japan. The movement’s emphasis on personal devotion and social harmony continues to influence Buddhist practice today.
1279
Nichiren Shōshū
1398day.year
In the Treaty of Salynas, Lithuania cedes Samogitia to the Teutonic Knights.
In 1398, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ceded Samogitia to the Teutonic Knights under the terms of the Treaty of Salynas.
The Treaty of Salynas was signed in 1398 between Vytautas the Great of Lithuania and the Teutonic Knights to end ongoing territorial disputes. Under its terms, Lithuania relinquished control of the strategically vital Samogitia region, granting it to the Knights. This concession aimed to secure peace along the volatile border and allow Vytautas to focus on internal consolidation. Despite the treaty, tensions persisted as Samogitians resisted Teutonic rule, leading to future conflicts. The accord reflects the complex diplomacy and power struggles of medieval Eastern Europe and shaped the region’s history.
1398
Treaty of Salynas
Lithuania
Samogitia
Teutonic Knights
1406day.year
Chen Yanxiang, the only person from Indonesia known to have visited dynastic Korea, reaches Seoul after having set out from Java four months before.
In 1406, Chen Yanxiang from Java reached Seoul after a four-month voyage, becoming the only known Indonesian visitor to dynastic Korea.
Chen Yanxiang embarked on an extraordinary maritime journey in 1406, sailing from Java and arriving in Seoul four months later. His voyage stands out as a rare example of early Southeast Asian contact with the Korean peninsula during the Joseon dynasty. The journey highlights the extensive sea routes and trade networks that connected distant cultures in the pre-modern era. Accounts suggest Chen was welcomed by Korean court officials, illustrating Korea’s engagement with foreign merchants. His visit remains a unique chapter in the shared history of Indonesia and Korea, underscoring the surprising connections forged across the seas.
1406
Chen Yanxiang
Seoul
Java
1492day.year
Christopher Columbus's first expedition makes landfall in the Caribbean, specifically on San Salvador Island. (Julian calendar)
On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on San Salvador Island in the Caribbean during his first transatlantic voyage.
Christopher Columbus set sail in August 1492 under the patronage of the Spanish crown to find a westward route to Asia. On October 12 (Julian calendar), he made landfall on an island he named San Salvador, marking the first documented European encounter with the Caribbean. Columbus’s arrival opened the Americas to sustained European exploration and colonization. His journals describe lush landscapes and the unfamiliar peoples he called "Indians." The landing triggered waves of migration, trade, and often tragic cultural clashes. Columbus’s voyage remains a pivotal milestone in world history, reshaping global interactions forever.
1492
Christopher Columbus
first expedition
Caribbean
San Salvador Island
Julian calendar
1654day.year
The Delft Explosion devastates the city in the Netherlands, killing more than 100 people.
In 1654, a massive gunpowder explosion tore through Delft in the Netherlands, killing over 100 residents and destroying much of the city.
On October 12, 1654, a gunpowder store in Delft accidentally detonated, unleashing a powerful blast that leveled entire neighborhoods. Over 100 people lost their lives, and hundreds more were injured by flying debris and collapsing buildings. The explosion destroyed warehouses, homes, and the iconic New Church, leaving a lasting scar on the cityscape. Among the casualties was the renowned painter Carel Fabritius, a pupil of Rembrandt. The disaster prompted stricter regulations on the storage of explosives in densely populated areas. Delft’s recovery showcased the resilience of its citizens and the importance of public safety reforms.
1654
Delft Explosion
1692day.year
The Salem witch trials are ended by a letter from Province of Massachusetts Bay Governor William Phips.
In 1692, Governor William Phips of Massachusetts Bay issued a decree that brought the Salem witch trials to an end.
After months of hysteria and numerous executions for alleged witchcraft, Governor William Phips arrived in Salem and assessed the turmoil. On October 12, 1692, he issued a letter dissolving the special court responsible for the trials and ordering the release of many accused individuals. The governor’s intervention effectively halted the proceedings and spared further lives from the gallows. Survivors and bereaved families struggled to rebuild their reputations and communities in the aftermath. The Salem witch trials remain a cautionary tale about mass panic, flawed legal processes, and the dangers of religious extremism in colonial America.
1692
Salem witch trials
Province of Massachusetts Bay
Governor
William Phips
1748day.year
War of Jenkins' Ear: A British squadron wins a tactical victory over a Spanish squadron off Havana.
In 1748, during the War of Jenkins’ Ear, a British naval squadron achieved a tactical victory against the Spanish near Havana.
The encounter off the coast of Havana was one of the last naval actions in the protracted War of Jenkins’ Ear between Britain and Spain. A British squadron intercepted a Spanish force, using superior seamanship to outmaneuver its opponent. Despite being evenly matched, the British inflicted sufficient damage to claim a tactical victory. The skirmish boosted British morale and demonstrated the strategic importance of Caribbean waters. Although the war officially ended later that year, the battle highlighted ongoing imperial rivalries in the New World. Naval supremacy remained crucial to European powers vying for colonial dominance.
1748
War of Jenkins' Ear
wins a tactical victory
1773day.year
America's first insane asylum opens.
In 1773, North America’s first dedicated institution for the mentally ill opened its doors, marking a milestone in psychiatric care.
The opening of America’s first insane asylum in 1773 represented a new approach to mental health treatment, moving away from imprisonment and neglect. This facility sought to provide care and supervision for individuals deemed mentally ill under standards of the time. Staffed by physicians and attendants, the asylum aimed to offer humane conditions compared to previous practices. While treatment methods were rudimentary by modern standards, the institution laid the groundwork for the evolution of psychiatric medicine in the United States. Over time, this pioneering effort influenced the establishment of similar facilities across the young nation.
1773
first insane asylum
1792day.year
The first celebration of Columbus Day is held in New York City.
New York City hosts the inaugural Columbus Day celebration in 1792 to honor Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage to the Americas.
In 1792, New York City organized the first Columbus Day event to mark the 300th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s historic arrival. The celebration featured parades, orations, and public gatherings emphasizing national pride and maritime exploration. Sponsored by civic leaders, it aimed to unite citizens under a common heritage. Over time, Columbus Day observances spread across the United States, evolving into a federal holiday. Today, the day remains both a cultural festivity and a focal point for discussions on historical legacy.
1792
Columbus Day
1793day.year
The cornerstone of Old East, the oldest state university building in the United States, is laid at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The cornerstone of Old East, the first building of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the oldest state university structure in the US, is laid in 1793.
In 1793, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill laid the cornerstone of Old East, marking the beginning of America’s first public university. Designed in the Georgian architectural style, the building set a precedent for higher education facilities in the young nation. Old East served as both classrooms and student housing, reflecting the university’s integrated academic life. Over two centuries later, the structure remains a centerpiece of the Chapel Hill campus. Its continuous use and historical significance make it a cherished symbol of public higher education in the United States.
1793
Old East
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill