771day.year
Austrasian king Carloman I dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne as sole king of the Frankish Kingdom.
In 771, King Carloman I of Austrasia died, leaving his brother Charlemagne as sole ruler of the Frankish Kingdom.
Carloman I ruled Austrasia alongside his brother after the death of their father, Pepin the Short. His unexpected death on December 4, 771, at age 26, paved the way for Charlemagne to consolidate power over the entire Frankish realm. This moment marked the beginning of Charlemagne's sole reign, under which the Carolingian Empire expanded dramatically. Charlemagne would go on to be crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800, shaping medieval Europe. The dynastic shift strengthened central authority and set the stage for the Golden Age of Carolingian culture. This transition is seen as a pivotal event in the foundation of modern France and Germany.
771
Austrasian
Carloman I
Charlemagne
Frankish Kingdom
963day.year
The lay papal protonotary is elected pope and takes the name Leo VIII, being consecrated on 6 December after ordination.
In 963, the papal protonotary was elected Pope Leo VIII, highlighting the influence of Emperor Otto I over the Church.
Following the deposition of Pope John XII, Emperor Otto I orchestrated the election of his lay protonotary as pontiff on December 4, 963. Though unordained at the time of his election, the new pope assumed the name Leo VIII. His consecration on December 6 solidified imperial control over the papacy during the Ottonian era. Leo VIII's papacy was contested by supporters of John XII and later Benedict V, reflecting the power struggle between secular and ecclesiastical authorities. This episode exemplifies the medieval investiture conflict and set precedents for Church-State relations.
963
papal protonotary
Leo VIII
1110day.year
An army led by Baldwin I of Jerusalem and Sigurd the Crusader of Norway captures Sidon at the end of the First Crusade.
In 1110, Crusader forces under Baldwin I of Jerusalem and Sigurd the Crusader seized Sidon, a key Mediterranean port.
On December 4, 1110, the allied armies of King Baldwin I of Jerusalem and Norwegian prince Sigurd the Crusader took the coastal city of Sidon after a brief siege. Sidon's capture secured a vital port for the Crusader states, strengthening supply lines to Outremer. The victory also showcased the cooperation between Frankish and Norse contingents, bolstering Baldwin's hold on the Levantine frontier. This strategic gain hastened the end of the First Crusade era of consolidation. It remained under Crusader control until recaptured by Muslim forces in the later 12th century.
1110
Baldwin I of Jerusalem
Sigurd the Crusader
Norway
Sidon
First Crusade
1259day.year
Kings Louis IX of France and Henry III of England agree to the Treaty of Paris, in which Henry renounces his claims to French-controlled territory on continental Europe (including Normandy) in exchange for Louis withdrawing his support for English rebels.
In 1259, Louis IX of France and Henry III of England signed the Treaty of Paris, resolving long-standing territorial disputes.
The Treaty of Paris, concluded on December 4, 1259, saw Henry III formally renounce his claims to Normandy and other continental territories in return for peace with France. King Louis IX agreed to withdraw support for English dissenters, stabilizing relations between the two kingdoms. This diplomatic agreement ended generations of conflict over Normandy since the time of William the Conqueror. It allowed both monarchs to focus on internal consolidation and crusading ambitions. Although subsequent wars erupted, the treaty represented a high point of medieval Franco-English diplomacy.
1259
Louis IX of France
Henry III of England
Treaty of Paris
Normandy
1563day.year
The final session of the Council of Trent is held nearly 18 years after the body held its first session on December 13, 1545.
On December 4, 1563, the Council of Trent concluded its final session, shaping the Counter-Reformation's direction.
After convening intermittently since 1545 under popes Paul III, Julius III, and Pius IV, the Council of Trent held its last sitting on December 4, 1563. The council had defined key Catholic doctrines, issued reforms on clerical discipline, and addressed abuses within the Church. Its decrees formed the backbone of the Counter-Reformation, countering Protestant theology and renewing Catholic spiritual life. The council's decisions influenced liturgy, education of clergy, and the establishment of seminaries. Its legacy endured through the Council's canons and the strengthening of papal authority in the following centuries.
1563
Council of Trent
1619day.year
Thirty-eight colonists arrive at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia. The group's charter proclaims that the day "be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."
In 1619, a group of colonists landed at Berkeley Hundred, Virginia, designating December 4th as an annual day of thanksgiving.
On December 4, 1619, thirty-eight English settlers aboard the Margaret arrived at Berkeley Hundred along the James River. Their Virginia Company charter specified that the anniversary of their landing be observed 'yearly and perpetually' as a day of giving thanks to God. This date is often cited as one of the earliest recorded Thanksgiving observances in what became the United States. Though the holiday evolved over centuries, the Berkeley Hundred proclamation laid early groundwork for American traditions of communal gratitude and celebration.
1619
colonists
Berkeley Hundred
Virginia
1623day.year
50 Christians are executed in Edo, Japan, during the Great Martyrdom of Edo.
In 1623, fifty Christians were executed in Edo, Japan, in the Great Martyrdom of Edo, as part of Tokugawa anti-Christian persecution.
During the Tokugawa shogunate's crackdown on foreign influence, December 4, 1623 saw the execution of fifty Christians—missionaries and converts—in Edo (modern Tokyo). Victims were subjected to torture and death by crucifixion or burning. The Great Martyrdom of Edo decimated the Christian community and reinforced the shogunate's isolationist Sakoku policy. Christian worship was driven underground for over two centuries. These martyrs are remembered by the Catholic Church and stand as a stark example of early modern religious persecution in Japan.
1623
Edo
Great Martyrdom of Edo
1676day.year
The Battle of Lund, becomes the bloodiest battle in Scandinavian history.
In 1676, the Battle of Lund turned into the bloodiest engagement in Scandinavian history during the Scanian War.
Fought on December 4, 1676, near the Swedish town of Lund, this clash saw the armies of King Charles XI of Sweden and King Christian V of Denmark collide in fierce combat. Both sides suffered massive casualties, with estimates of nearly 10,000 killed or wounded. Despite being outnumbered, the Swedes secured a hard-fought victory that preserved their control over Skåne. The battle's ferocity and heavy losses mark it as one of the most brutal in Northern European history. Its outcome influenced the balance of power in the region during the late 17th century.
1676
Battle of Lund
1745day.year
Charles Edward Stuart's army reaches Derby, its furthest point during the Second Jacobite Rising.
On December 4, 1745, the Jacobite army led by Charles Edward Stuart reached Derby, marking the high point of the uprising.
Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, led his Highlander and Irish supporters deep into England, reaching Derby on December 4, 1745. This advance alarmed the British government and threatened London. Facing supply shortages and the prospect of Hanoverian reinforcements, the Jacobite Council controversially decided to retreat. The decision at Derby proved pivotal, allowing government forces to regroup and eventually crushing the rebellion at Culloden in 1746. The episode remains a defining moment in Scottish history.
1745
Charles Edward Stuart
Derby
Second Jacobite Rising
1783day.year
At Fraunces Tavern in New York City, U.S. General George Washington bids farewell to his officers.
On December 4, 1783, George Washington bade farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York City, marking the end of his Continental Army command.
After the American Revolutionary War ended, General George Washington convened his senior officers at Fraunces Tavern on December 4, 1783. In an emotional address, he thanked them for their service and urged unity as civilians. His farewell underscored his commitment to civilian authority over the military, setting a democratic precedent. Washington's departure from the Army heralded his return to private life at Mount Vernon. This moment is celebrated as a testament to American republican ideals and the peaceful transfer of power.
1783
Fraunces Tavern
George Washington
bids farewell to his officers
1786day.year
Mission Santa Barbara is dedicated (on the feast day of Saint Barbara).
Mission Santa Barbara, the tenth Spanish mission in California, is dedicated on the feast day of Saint Barbara in 1786.
On December 4, 1786, the Spanish colonial authorities dedicated Mission Santa Barbara to Saint Barbara. As the tenth mission in Alta California, it became a focal point for religious conversion and agricultural development. The mission complex features distinct Spanish Colonial architecture, including its iconic twin bell towers. Its establishment significantly impacted the local Chumash tribe, integrating them into the mission system. Over the centuries, the mission faced secularization and restoration, yet it remains one of California's most visited historical landmarks.
1786
Mission Santa Barbara
Saint Barbara
1791day.year
The first edition of The Observer, the world's first Sunday newspaper, is published.
The Observer, considered the world's first Sunday newspaper, publishes its inaugural edition in London.
On December 4, 1791, The Observer launched in London as the first newspaper published specifically on a Sunday. Founded by W.S. Bourne, it aimed to provide in-depth political commentary and international news to weekend readers. The Observer introduced a new rhythm to journalism, delivering news and opinions at a time when most newspapers did not circulate on Sundays. Its success paved the way for other weekend publications and influenced the broader news industry. Over two centuries later, The Observer remains one of Britain's leading Sunday newspapers, with a reputation for investigative journalism and cultural coverage.
1791
The Observer