887day.year
Emperor Charles the Fat is deposed by the Frankish magnates in an assembly at Frankfurt, leading his nephew, Arnulf of Carinthia, to declare himself king of the East Frankish Kingdom in late November.
Emperor Charles the Fat was deposed by Frankish nobles in Frankfurt, and Arnulf of Carinthia claimed the East Frankish throne.
On November 17, 887, an assembly of Frankish magnates convened in Frankfurt and forced Emperor Charles the Fat from power.
The deposition marked the end of Charles's reign over a united Carolingian Empire.
Supporting nobles elected Arnulf of Carinthia, Charles's nephew, as their new ruler.
Arnulf's accession heralded the fragmentation of the empire into eastern and western realms.
This pivotal event reshaped the political landscape of medieval Europe.
887
Charles the Fat
magnates
Frankfurt
Arnulf of Carinthia
East Frankish Kingdom
1183day.year
Genpei War: The Battle of Mizushima takes place off the Japanese coast, where Minamoto no Yoshinaka's invasion force is intercepted and defeated by the Taira clan.
In 1183, during the Genpei War, the Taira clan intercepted and defeated Minamoto no Yoshinaka's invasion fleet at the Battle of Mizushima.
The naval clash occurred off the coast of Mizushima Island in western Japan.
Minamoto no Yoshinaka sought to challenge the Taira clan's dominance by sea.
Taira commanders skillfully used fire ships and archery to outmaneuver their opponents.
Yoshinaka's force suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat.
The battle underscored the Taira clan's naval strength and impacted the Genpei War's momentum.
1183
Battle of Mizushima
Minamoto no Yoshinaka
Taira clan
1292day.year
John Balliol becomes King of Scotland.
In 1292, John Balliol was chosen as King of Scotland after a succession dispute known as the Great Cause.
Following the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, Scotland faced a dynastic crisis.
King Edward I of England arbitrated among rival claimants in what became known as the Great Cause.
John Balliol emerged as the selected monarch, ascending the Scottish throne on November 17.
His reign was marked by tensions with Edward I and efforts to assert Scottish sovereignty.
Balliol's kingship set the stage for future conflicts in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
1292
John Balliol
1405day.year
Sharif ul-Hāshim establishes the Sultanate of Sulu.
In 1405, Sharif ul-Hāshim founded the Sultanate of Sulu in the southern Philippines, establishing a new Islamic polity.
Sharif ul-Hāshim, a noble from Johor, arrived in Sulu and allied with local chieftains.
He married a Sulu princess, solidifying his rule and establishing Islamic governance.
The Sultanate of Sulu became an important center for trade between Southeast Asia and China.
Its foundation marked the spread of Islam and the rise of Muslim sultanates in the archipelago.
The sultanate endured for centuries, influencing the region's political and cultural landscape.
1405
Sharif ul-Hāshim
Sultanate of Sulu
1494day.year
French King Charles VIII occupies Florence, Italy.
In 1494, King Charles VIII of France occupied Florence as part of his Italian campaign, signaling the start of the Italian Wars.
Charles VIII entered Italy to press his claim on the Kingdom of Naples.
On November 17, his forces marched into Florence, ousting Medici control.
The occupation frightened Italian powers and prompted new alliances.
It triggered a series of conflicts known as the Italian Wars that would last decades.
Florence's fall demonstrated France's military reach and reshaped Renaissance politics.
1494
Charles VIII
occupies Florence
1511day.year
Henry VIII of England concludes the Treaty of Westminster, a pledge of mutual aid against the French, with Ferdinand II of Aragon.
In 1511, Henry VIII of England and Ferdinand II of Aragon signed the Treaty of Westminster, aligning against France.
The treaty formalized a military alliance between England and Spain.
Henry VIII sought to curb French influence on the European mainland.
Ferdinand II, recently widowed, reinforced his position against France in Italy.
The agreement promised mutual aid and strategic cooperation.
This diplomatic move intensified the balance of power struggles of the Renaissance era.
1511
Henry VIII of England
Treaty of Westminster
Ferdinand II of Aragon
1558day.year
Elizabethan era begins: Queen Mary I of England dies and is succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth I of England.
In 1558, Queen Mary I died and was succeeded by her half-sister Elizabeth I, ushering in the Elizabethan era.
Mary I's death on November 17 ended her five-year reign and religious persecutions.
Elizabeth I ascended to the throne, promising moderation and national stability.
Her reign sparked a cultural renaissance in literature, theatre, and exploration.
The Elizabethan era would see figures like Shakespeare and voyages to the New World.
Elizabeth's accession marked a turning point in English history and identity.
1558
Elizabethan era
Mary I of England
Elizabeth I of England
1603day.year
English explorer, writer and courtier Sir Walter Raleigh goes on trial for treason.
In 1603, Sir Walter Raleigh faced trial for treason before the Star Chamber under King James I.
Raleigh faced allegations of conspiring with Spain and challenging royal authority.
The trial at the Star Chamber was highly politicized and drew public attention.
Despite doubts about the evidence, Raleigh was condemned to death.
King James I initially spared his life but imprisoned him in the Tower of London.
Raleigh's trial reflected the fraught politics of succession and international intrigue.
1603
courtier
Walter Raleigh
treason
1775day.year
The city of Kuopio, Finland (belonging to Sweden at this time) is founded by King Gustav III of Sweden.
In 1775, King Gustav III of Sweden founded the city of Kuopio in Finland as a new regional center.
Kuopio was established on the shores of Lake Kallavesi to boost trade and governance.
The royal charter aimed to develop agriculture and craft industries in eastern Finland.
Settlement was encouraged with tax incentives and land grants.
Over time, Kuopio grew into a major cultural and economic hub.
The city's founding marked Sweden's efforts to strengthen its eastern territories.
1775
Kuopio, Finland
Sweden
Gustav III of Sweden
1777day.year
Articles of Confederation (United States) are submitted to the states for ratification.
In 1777, the Articles of Confederation were submitted to the American states for ratification, forming the first U.S. government framework.
The Continental Congress drafted the Articles to unite the thirteen colonies.
On November 17, they sent the document to state legislatures for approval.
These Articles established a loose confederation with limited central authority.
They laid the groundwork for American federalism and the later Constitution.
Ratification debates revealed challenges in balancing state and national powers.
1777
Articles of Confederation
1796day.year
French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of the Bridge of Arcole: French forces defeat the Austrians in Italy.
In a fierce clash during the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleon's forces triumphed at the Bridge of Arcole, securing a critical victory against Austria.
In November 1796, during the Italian campaign of the French Revolutionary Wars, General Napoleon Bonaparte led French forces against Austrian troops at the Bridge of Arcole. The narrow crossing became a focal point as both sides vied for control of the vital route. Despite stiff Austrian resistance and heavy casualties, Bonaparte's bold flanking maneuver forced the enemy to retreat. The victory secured French dominance in northern Italy and bolstered the morale of the revolutionary army. This dramatic encounter cemented Bonaparte's emerging reputation as a brilliant military strategist.
1796
French Revolutionary Wars
Battle of the Bridge of Arcole
1800,day.year
The United States Congress holds its first session in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Congress convened for the first time in the newly founded capital, marking Washington, D.C.'s emergence as the seat of the federal government.
In November 1800, following the passage of the Residence Act, the United States Congress held its first session in Washington, D.C., in the nearly completed Capitol building. This relocation symbolized the establishment of the federal government's permanent seat, shifting power from Philadelphia. Lawmakers convened to address urgent matters, including organization of new federal offices and funding for city development. The session set the groundwork for the legislative traditions that continue in the United States. Washington's grid plan and grand avenues soon surrounded the Capitol, reflecting the nation's ambitions.
1800
United States Congress
session