437day.year
Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor, marries Licinia Eudoxia, daughter of his cousin Theodosius II, Eastern Roman Emperor in Constantinople unifying the two branches of the House of Theodosius.
Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III weds Licinia Eudoxia in Constantinople, unifying the Eastern and Western branches of the Theodosian dynasty.
In 437, Valentinian III married Licinia Eudoxia, granddaughter of Theodosius II, in a grand ceremony held in Constantinople. This union brought the Eastern and Western Roman Empires under the same dynastic umbrella of the House of Theodosius. The marriage was celebrated with lavish feasts and elaborate court rituals. It served to legitimize Valentinian’s rule in the West and reinforce the bond between the two imperial courts. Contemporary chroniclers viewed the event as a symbol of renewed unity and stability within the fracturing empire.
437
Valentinian III
Western Roman Emperor
Licinia Eudoxia
Theodosius II
Eastern Roman Emperor
Constantinople
House of Theodosius
1390day.year
First trial for witchcraft in Paris leading to the death of three people.
The first recorded witchcraft trial in Paris in 1390 leads to the execution of three accused individuals.
In medieval Paris, 1390 saw the city’s inaugural trial for witchcraft, reflecting growing fears of sorcery across Europe. Three defendants were accused of invoking dark powers to harm their neighbors and consort with evil spirits. Evidence was gathered through confessions, testimonies, and the feared ordeal by water. All three were found guilty and sentenced to death, a grim display of the Church and state’s authority over heresy. The trial set a precedent for later witch hunts in France and beyond. Historians view this case as an early example of the legal processes that would fuel the continent’s witch craze in the centuries to follow.
1390
witchcraft
1611day.year
Russian homage to the King of Poland, Sigismund III Vasa.
Russian envoys pay homage to Polish King Sigismund III Vasa in 1611, highlighting shifting alliances amid the Time of Troubles.
In 1611, a delegation from Russia formally presented homage to Sigismund III Vasa, who had claims to the Muscovite throne during the Polish-Muscovite War. The event took place at the Polish royal court in Warsaw. It symbolized the complex diplomatic maneuvering of the Time of Troubles, as Russian factions sought foreign support to resolve dynastic crises. Although the homage was largely ceremonial, it underscored Poland’s temporary influence over Russian affairs. The gesture foreshadowed further interventions in Russian succession politics by neighboring powers.
1611
Russian homage
Sigismund III Vasa
1863day.year
Eighteen countries meet in Geneva and agree to form the International Red Cross.
Eighteen nations met in Geneva in 1863 to found the International Red Cross, marking the start of modern humanitarian aid.
In October 1863, representatives from eighteen European and American states gathered in Geneva.
They signed the Geneva Convention, creating the International Committee for the Relief of the Wounded, later known as the International Red Cross.
This organization was born from Henry Dunant's vision to aid the war-wounded impartially.
It established principles of neutrality and voluntary service that endure today.
The Red Cross would evolve into a global network providing humanitarian relief in conflicts and disasters worldwide.
1863
Geneva
International Red Cross
1888day.year
The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace.
The 1888 Convention of Constantinople guaranteed free passage through the Suez Canal for all ships in war and peace.
In October 1888, major powers convened in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) to address access to the recently opened Suez Canal.
The resulting treaty affirmed the canal's neutrality, permitting unimpeded navigation to merchant and naval vessels alike.
This agreement bolstered global trade by ensuring that no nation could blockade the vital waterway.
It reflected the era's diplomatic efforts to maintain open sea lanes for commerce and military passage.
The canal's status as an international corridor shaped geopolitics and economic expansion into the 20th century.
1888
Convention of Constantinople
Suez Canal
1918day.year
The German High Seas Fleet is incapacitated when sailors mutiny, an action which would trigger the German Revolution of 1918–19.
In late October 1918, sailors of the German High Seas Fleet mutinied in Wilhelmshaven, crippling the navy and igniting the German Revolution.
Disillusioned by Germany's impending defeat and harsh naval conditions, sailors began refusing orders in late October 1918.
The mutiny at Wilhelmshaven quickly spread to other naval bases, rendering the High Seas Fleet inoperable.
Their collective rebellion challenged military authority and inspired strikes and uprisings across Germany.
This unrest culminated in the November Revolution, leading to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
The mutiny's political fallout paved the way for the Weimar Republic and a new democratic constitution.
1918
German
High Seas Fleet
mutiny
German Revolution of 1918–19
1921day.year
United States: Second trial of Sacco and Vanzetti in Boston, Massachusetts.
On October 29, 1921, the highly publicized second trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti began in Boston, sparking debates on justice and immigrant rights.
Italian immigrants and anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti were accused of armed robbery and murder in a case that drew international scrutiny.
Their second trial commenced amid widespread claims of anti-immigrant bias and political persecution.
Protests and fundraising rallies erupted in Europe and America, demanding a fair judicial process.
Despite inconclusive evidence and concerns over jury prejudice, they were convicted and sentenced to death.
The trial remains emblematic of civil liberties struggles and social tensions during the early 1920s Red Scare.
1921
United States
Sacco and Vanzetti
Boston, Massachusetts
1923day.year
Turkey becomes a republic following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.
On October 29, 1923, the Republic of Turkey was proclaimed, ending the Ottoman sultanate and marking the start of Atatürk's modernizing reforms.
Following World War I and the Turkish War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the Grand National Assembly abolished the Ottoman sultanate.
The proclamation of the Republic of Turkey established a secular, nationalist government on October 29, 1923.
Atatürk became the republic's first president and launched extensive reforms in law, education, and culture.
These changes included the adoption of the Latin alphabet, secular legal codes, and women's suffrage.
Turkey's transformation under Atatürk laid the foundations for its modern secular identity and political institutions.
1923
becomes a republic
1957day.year
Israel's prime minister David Ben-Gurion and five of his ministers are injured when Moshe Dwek throws a grenade into the Knesset.
An assassination attempt on Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion occurs when a grenade is thrown in the Knesset, injuring several officials.
On October 29, 1957, Moshe Dwek hurled a grenade onto the floor of Israel's Knesset during a plenary session.
The explosive wounded Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and five other cabinet ministers.
Dwek, motivated by personal and political grievances, was quickly subdued by security personnel.
The failed attack shocked the young nation and exposed vulnerabilities in parliamentary security.
Ben-Gurion refused to let the incident derail government business, delivering a speech from a hospital bed.
The event led to tighter access controls and protective measures within the Israeli legislature.
1957
David Ben-Gurion
Moshe Dwek
Knesset
1964day.year
The United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar is renamed to the United Republic of Tanzania.
Tanganyika and Zanzibar officially unify and adopt the name 'United Republic of Tanzania', marking a new chapter in East African history.
On October 29, 1964, the federal union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar was officially renamed the United Republic of Tanzania.
The merger, first proclaimed on April 26, 1964, aimed to strengthen political and economic ties between the two states.
President Julius Nyerere of Tanganyika and President Abeid Karume of Zanzibar led the unification process.
The new name combined the first syllables of Tanzania's founding states: Tan(ganyika) and Zan(zibar).
The union set the stage for a common government, currency, and foreign policy initiatives.
Tanzania would later become a leading voice in African socialism and pan-African cooperation.
1964
Tanganyika
Zanzibar
United Republic of Tanzania
1972day.year
The three surviving perpetrators of the Munich massacre are released from prison in exchange for the hostages of the hijacked Lufthansa Flight 615.
Three Munich massacre perpetrators are freed in exchange for hijacked Lufthansa Flight 615 hostages, sparking international debate.
In a tense negotiation following the hijacking of Lufthansa Flight 615, West German officials agreed to release three surviving members of Black September linked to the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. The hijackers threatened to kill hostages unless the prisoners were freed. Under heavy pressure and amid controversies over negotiating with terrorists, the deal was struck on October 29, 1972. The hostages were released unharmed after the exchange. The incident raised critical questions about counterterrorism policies, hostage negotiations, and the security of international air travel.
1972
Munich massacre
Lufthansa Flight 615
1985day.year
Major General Samuel K. Doe is announced as the winner of the first multi-party election in Liberia.
Samuel K. Doe is declared winner of Liberia’s first multi-party election, marking a historic political transition.
On October 29, 1985, Liberia held its first multi-party elections since the 1980 military coup that brought Samuel K. Doe to power. Running against two civilian candidates, Doe secured the presidency amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. International observers and local opposition parties condemned the vote as neither free nor fair. Despite the controversy, Doe's victory signaled Liberia's tentative move towards constitutional governance. However, his rule would become increasingly authoritarian, setting the stage for future civil conflict.
1985
Samuel K. Doe
Liberia