1060day.year
Béla I is crowned king of Hungary.
Béla I ascends the Hungarian throne, marking the start of his reign.
Béla I was the younger brother of King Andrew I of Hungary and ascended the throne upon his death. His coronation on December 6, 1060, took place in the royal seat at Székesfehérvár under the approval of the nobility. As a member of the Árpád dynasty, he focused on consolidating royal power and defending the kingdom’s borders against external threats. He maintained alliances with neighboring powers such as the Holy Roman Empire and secured internal stability. His reign, though brief, strengthened the foundations of the medieval Hungarian state.
1060
Béla I
Hungary
1240day.year
Mongol invasion of Rus': Kyiv, defended by Voivode Dmytro, falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan.
Mongol forces under Batu Khan capture Kyiv after its defense by Voivode Dmytro.
On December 6, 1240, the Mongol army led by Batu Khan breached the walls of Kyiv after a fierce siege. The city's defense was commanded by Voivode Dmytro, who fought valiantly to protect Kievan Rus. Despite strong resistance, the defenders were overwhelmed and the city fell. The fall of Kyiv dealt a devastating blow to the political and cultural center of Eastern Europe. This event marked a turning point in the Mongol invasion, paving the way for centuries of influence and tribute demands on the Rus principalities.
1240
Mongol invasion of Rus'
Kyiv
Voivode Dmytro
falls
Mongols
Batu Khan
1492day.year
After exploring the island of Cuba (which he had mistaken for Japan) for gold, Christopher Columbus lands on an island he names Hispaniola.
Christopher Columbus lands on Hispaniola after exploring Cuba, claiming the island for Spain.
After mistakenly identifying Cuba as part of Asia, Columbus continued his 1492 voyage westward. On December 6, 1492, he sighted and landed on an island he named Hispaniola, believing he had found a new eastern territory. He sought gold and reported rich soils and resources to the Spanish crown. The island would become the first permanent European settlement in the New World. This discovery marked a pivotal moment in the Age of Exploration and the beginning of Spanish colonization in the Americas. Columbus’ landing laid the foundations for dramatic cultural, economic, and ecological changes in the hemisphere.
1492
Cuba
Japan
Christopher Columbus
Hispaniola
1534day.year
The city of Quito in Ecuador is founded by Spanish settlers led by Sebastián de Belalcázar.
Spanish conquistador Sebastián de Belalcázar establishes the city of Quito in present-day Ecuador.
On December 6, 1534, Spanish settlers led by Sebastián de Belalcázar founded the city of Quito on the site of an ancient Inca settlement. The location was chosen for its strategic position high in the Andes, offering defensibility and access to local trade routes. Quito quickly became a key administrative and religious center of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. The new city blended indigenous traditions with Spanish colonial architecture, setting the tone for its rich cultural heritage. Over the centuries, Quito has grown into Ecuador’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its historic center.
1534
Quito
Ecuador
Sebastián de Belalcázar
1648day.year
Pride's Purge removes royalist sympathizers from Parliament so that the High Court of Justice could put the King on trial.
Pride's Purge expels royalist MPs from the English Parliament to prepare for King Charles I’s trial.
On December 6, 1648, Colonel Thomas Pride led troops to forcibly remove members of the English Parliament who opposed bringing King Charles I to trial. Known as Pride’s Purge, this action targeted MPs with royalist sympathies and effectively created the Rump Parliament. The purge paved the way for the establishment of the High Court of Justice, which would later condemn the king. It represented a radical shift in power away from monarchical authority toward parliamentary supremacy. The purge and subsequent regicide of Charles I profoundly altered the course of English governance, leading to an interregnum under Oliver Cromwell.
1648
Pride's Purge
High Court of Justice
1745day.year
Charles Edward Stuart's army begins retreat during the second Jacobite Rising.
Charles Edward Stuart’s forces begin their retreat during the 1745 Jacobite Rising.
After penetrating into England and reaching as far south as Derby, the Jacobite army paused and on December 6, 1745 decided to retreat northward. Under the command of Charles Edward Stuart, they retraced their steps back to Scotland amid dwindling support. The decision followed pressure from lack of English Jacobite uprisings and fear of government forces. The retreat weakened morale and resources, setting the stage for the eventual defeat at Culloden in 1746. The episode remains a poignant moment in Highland history.
1745
Charles Edward Stuart
second Jacobite Rising
1790day.year
The U.S. Congress moves from New York City to Philadelphia.
The United States Congress relocates its seat from New York City to Philadelphia.
On December 6, 1790, the U.S. Congress convened for the first time in Philadelphia after leaving New York City, reflecting a temporary capital arrangement. Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital until the completion of Washington, D.C. in 1800. The move aimed to appease regional interests and accommodate a growing government. During its tenure in Philadelphia, Congress debated key issues including the Bill of Rights and the financial plan of Alexander Hamilton. The city’s vibrant political salons and printing presses played a crucial role in shaping early American policy. This period laid groundwork for enduring national institutions and practices.
1790
U.S. Congress
New York City
Philadelphia
1803day.year
Five French warships attempting to escape the Royal Naval blockade of Saint-Domingue are all seized by British warships, signifying the end of the Haitian Revolution.
British warships capture French vessels at Saint-Domingue, signaling the end of the Haitian Revolution.
On December 6, 1803, five French naval ships attempting to break the British blockade of Saint-Domingue were intercepted and seized by the Royal Navy. This decisive action effectively cut off French military support to the colony. It marked the practical end of the Haitian Revolution, which had begun years earlier with a slave uprising. The withdrawal of French forces paved the way for Haitian independence under leaders like Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Haiti would declare independence in January 1804, becoming the first Black republic. The event reshaped colonial power dynamics in the Caribbean and the Atlantic world.
1803
French warships
Royal Naval blockade of Saint-Domingue
Haitian Revolution
1865day.year
Georgia ratifies the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Georgia ratifies the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in the United States.
On December 6, 1865, Georgia became the first former Confederate state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. The ratification was a critical step in the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. It signaled a formal commitment to change by a state that had seceded just months earlier. The amendment’s passage ensured legal freedom for millions of formerly enslaved people nationwide. Georgia’s action encouraged other states to follow suit and solidified the legal framework for civil rights. The event remains a landmark in America’s journey toward equality and justice.
1865
Georgia
13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
1882day.year
Transit of Venus, second and last of the 19th century.
The second and final Transit of Venus of the 19th century occurs.
On December 6, 1882, observers around the world witnessed the Transit of Venus as the planet passed directly between Earth and the Sun. This rare astronomical event allowed scientists to refine measurements of the solar system’s scale using the principle of parallax. Expeditions were dispatched to remote locations to record precise timings of ingress and egress. Data collected during the transit helped improve estimates of the astronomical unit and deepened understanding of planetary motion. The 1882 transit marked the culmination of international scientific collaboration in the 19th century. It would be more than a century before the next Transit of Venus occurred in 2004.
1882
Transit of Venus
19th century
1884day.year
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., is completed.
The iconic Washington Monument is completed in Washington, D.C., becoming the tallest stone structure in the world and a lasting tribute to George Washington.
Construction of the Washington Monument began in 1848 to honor the first U.S. president but was halted in 1854 due to funding shortages and the Civil War. Work resumed two decades later under architect Edward Clark's revised plans, and on December 6, 1884, the 555-foot marble obelisk was officially completed. At that time, it was the tallest man-made structure in the world, symbolizing national unity and pride. Its gleaming white marble has since been a central feature of the National Mall, attracting millions of visitors each year. The monument's simple yet monumental design continues to inspire awe and stands as a testament to American perseverance.
1884
Washington Monument
1897day.year
London becomes the world's first city to host licensed taxicabs.
London becomes the world's first city to license taxicabs, establishing a regulated taxi service.
In 1897, London authorities introduced licenses for taxicabs, formalizing what had been a loosely regulated hackney carriage trade. The new system required drivers to pass tests on routes and regulations, ensuring passenger safety and reliability. Color-coded plates and official badges distinguished licensed vehicles, transforming urban mobility and serving as a model for cities worldwide. This move professionalized taxi driving, improved service quality, and laid the groundwork for modern taxi industries across the globe.
1897
taxicabs