920day.year
Romanos I Lekapenos is crowned co-emperor of the underage Constantine VII.
In 920, Romanos I Lekapenos seized power by crowning himself co-emperor alongside the young Constantine VII.
In 920 AD, Romanos I Lekapenos, the admiral of the Byzantine fleet, leveraged his influence to enter Constantinople.
He married his daughter Helena to the underage Emperor Constantine VII, solidifying a political alliance.
Shortly thereafter, Romanos was crowned co-emperor, effectively sharing rule of the Byzantine Empire.
This move underscored the fragile power dynamics of the Macedonian dynasty.
Romanos skillfully managed military and administrative affairs, stabilizing the empire's borders.
Despite his position, Constantine VII remained politically sidelined until Romanos's eventual retirement.
Romanos's reign laid foundations for later reconquests in the east and administrative reforms.
920
Romanos I Lekapenos
Constantine VII
942day.year
Assassination of William I of Normandy.
In 942, William I of Normandy, known as 'Longsword', was assassinated, plunging the duchy into turmoil.
William I 'Longsword', the second Duke of Normandy, met his end through assassination in 942.
His death occurred near Picquigny during a formal meeting with Frankish nobles.
Legend suggests betrayal by allied Frankish knights who coveted his territories.
William's demise sparked a succession crisis for the young Duke Richard I.
Normandy's fragile political landscape teetered as rival factions vied for influence.
The event highlighted the perils of power politics in early medieval France.
Despite initial instability, Normandy eventually regained stability under Richard's leadership.
942
William I of Normandy
1297day.year
King Kyawswa of Pagan is overthrown by the three Myinsaing brothers, marking the de facto end of the Pagan Kingdom.
In 1297, King Kyawswa of Pagan was deposed by the Myinsaing brothers, ending the Pagan Kingdom's dominance.
In 1297, the three Myinsaing brothers—Athinkhaya, Yazathingyan, and Thihathu—seized power in central Burma.
They orchestrated the overthrow of King Kyawswa of the Pagan dynasty, despite his nominal rule.
Kyawswa had been a puppet under Mongol influence but lacked real authority.
The brothers capitalized on Mongol withdrawal to establish their own regional regime.
This coup marked the de facto collapse of the once-mighty Pagan Kingdom.
The capital at Bagan fell into decline as power fragmented among local warlords.
Myanmar's political landscape shifted towards smaller kingdoms for the next century.
1297
Kyawswa of Pagan
three Myinsaing brothers
Pagan Kingdom
1354day.year
Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut and Holy Roman Empress and her son William I, Duke of Bavaria, sign a peace treaty ending the Hook and Cod wars.
In 1354, Margaret II and her son William I signed a treaty to end the Hook and Cod wars in the Low Countries.
On December 17, 1354, Margaret II of Hainaut and her son William I, Duke of Bavaria, concluded the Hook and Cod wars.
These conflicts had pitted rival noble factions in Holland and Zeeland since 1350.
Margaret represented the Hook faction, while William led the Cod supporters.
The peace treaty restored stability and clarified succession rights in the region.
It fostered renewed economic growth and trade within the County of Holland.
The agreement also reinforced Hainaut's ties to the Holy Roman Empire.
The resolution of these wars paved the way for future internal reforms.
1354
Margaret II, Countess of Hainaut and Holy Roman Empress
William I, Duke of Bavaria
Hook and Cod wars
1538day.year
Pope Paul III excommunicates Henry VIII of England.
In 1538, Pope Paul III formally excommunicated Henry VIII, deepening England's split from the Catholic Church.
On December 17, 1538, Pope Paul III issued the papal bull 'Regnans in Excelsis', excommunicating Henry VIII.
This decree condemned the English king for rejecting papal authority in establishing the Church of England.
It released all English subjects from allegiance to Henry as a Catholic monarch.
The excommunication intensified religious tensions across Europe and within England.
Henry responded with stricter measures against Catholics at home.
This act signaled a formal rift between England and the Roman Catholic Church.
It reshaped religious and political alliances during the Reformation era.
1538
Pope Paul III
Henry VIII of England
1586day.year
Go-Yōzei becomes Emperor of Japan.
On December 17, 1586, Go-Yōzei ascended the throne as Emperor of Japan during a period of national unification.
Go-Yōzei succeeded Emperor Ōgimachi and began his reign on December 17, 1586.
His rule occurred during Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period of unification under Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Emperor Go-Yōzei presided over court ceremonies and rituals, reinforcing imperial traditions.
He granted the title of kampaku (regent) to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, solidifying Hideyoshi's de facto power.
Go-Yōzei’s reign saw temple reconstruction and cultural patronage.
The emperor navigated complex relations between the imperial court and powerful warlords.
His era name, Keichō, would be remembered for political consolidation and cultural flowering.
1586
Go-Yōzei
Emperor of Japan
1777day.year
American Revolution: France formally recognizes the United States.
On December 17, 1777, France officially recognized the independence of the United States during the American Revolution. This diplomatic milestone solidified France as the first major power to support the new nation.
France's formal recognition of the United States on December 17, 1777, marked a crucial diplomatic victory for the American Revolution. By acknowledging American independence, France laid the foundation for an official alliance that would bring military aid, naval support, and financial resources. This move shifted the balance in favor of the revolutionaries and challenged British dominance on the world stage. The recognition followed the American victory at Saratoga, which convinced the French court of the revolutionary cause's viability. In the months that followed, French officers, troops, and naval forces played a decisive role in securing American independence. The Franco-American alliance endured until 1783 and transformed international relations for both nations.
1777
American Revolution
France
recognizes
1807day.year
Napoleonic Wars: France issues the Milan Decree, which confirms the Continental System.
On December 17, 1807, Napoleon’s France issued the Milan Decree to enforce the Continental System. This decree intensified the economic blockade against Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.
The Milan Decree, proclaimed by Napoleon on December 17, 1807, aimed to strengthen the Continental System by declaring that neutral ships complying with British trade restrictions would be considered enemy vessels. This aggressive economic policy sought to cripple Britain’s commercial power and force its surrender. The decree authorized the seizure of goods from neutral nations trading with Britain, heightening tensions across Europe. While intended to isolate the British economy, it disrupted commerce, provoked widespread smuggling, and strained relations among continental allies. The Milan Decree escalated the economic warfare that underpinned the Napoleonic conflicts and contributed to diplomatic ruptures. Ultimately, the Continental System’s failures undermined French economic stability and fueled resistance that paved the way for Napoleon’s downfall.
1807
Napoleonic Wars
Milan Decree
Continental System
1819day.year
Simón Bolívar declares the independence of Gran Colombia in Angostura (now Ciudad Bolívar in Venezuela).
On December 17, 1819, Simón Bolívar proclaimed the independence of Gran Colombia in Angostura. This pivotal declaration united present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama against Spanish colonial rule.
In Angostura (modern-day Ciudad Bolívar) on December 17, 1819, Simón Bolívar delivered a historic address declaring the creation of Gran Colombia. This new republic consolidated liberated territories across northern South America, including present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Bolívar’s declaration followed a series of successful military campaigns and symbolized a bold step toward regional unity. It set forth a constitution that emphasized republican governance, civil liberties, and the abolition of slavery. The formation of Gran Colombia represented a watershed moment in Latin American independence movements, inspiring other nations to seek freedom. Although political disputes later led to its dissolution, the legacy of Bolívar’s vision continues to influence the region's integration efforts.
1819
Simón Bolívar
Gran Colombia
Ciudad Bolívar
Venezuela
1862day.year
American Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant issues General Order No. 11, expelling Jews from parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky.
During the American Civil War on December 17, 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant issued General Order No. 11, expelling Jews from parts of the Western Theater. The controversial order reflected wartime prejudice and economic tensions.
On December 17, 1862, Union General Ulysses S. Grant issued General Order No. 11, mandating the expulsion of all Jewish merchants from his military district covering parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Kentucky. Citing accusations of illicit trade and smuggling, Grant attributed economic disruptions to Jewish traders, provoking outrage and claims of religious discrimination. The order barred Jews from entering military lines under penalty of arrest, overturning decades of legal protections. News of the order sparked protests from Jewish communities, political figures, and President Abraham Lincoln, who eventually rescinded the directive. The incident stands as a stark example of wartime authority abused to target a specific religious group. Today, General Order No. 11 is remembered as a blemish on Grant’s legacy and a reminder of the importance of civil rights, even during conflict.
1862
American Civil War
Ulysses S. Grant
General Order No. 11
Jews
Tennessee
Mississippi
Kentucky
1907day.year
Ugyen Wangchuck is crowned first King of Bhutan.
Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned Bhutan's first king in 1907, founding a monarchy that would guide the nation's unique path of measured modernization.
On December 17, 1907, Ugyen Wangchuck was formally crowned as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan at Punakha Dzong, uniting the country's regional leaders under a centralized monarchy. His accession followed negotiations with regional rulers and British representatives, establishing the Wangchuck dynasty that remains to this day. As king, Ugyen Wangchuck initiated administrative reforms, promoted national stability, and balanced modernization with the preservation of Bhutan's cultural and religious heritage. His reign marked the beginning of Bhutan's transformation from a collection of feudal states into a unified nation. The monarchy he founded laid the groundwork for Bhutan's distinctive approach to development and international engagement.
1907
Ugyen Wangchuck
Bhutan
1918day.year
Darwin Rebellion: Up to 1,000 demonstrators march on Government House in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
Up to 1,000 Australians marched on Government House in Darwin in 1918 to demand the removal of the unpopular colonial administrator, sparking the Darwin Rebellion.
The Darwin Rebellion occurred on December 17, 1918, when around 1,000 residents of Darwin, including returned soldiers and laborers, marched on Government House to protest against Administrator John Gilruth's harsh policies. Demonstrators accused Gilruth of neglecting local needs and misgoverning the Northern Territory, carrying placards and red flags as they stormed the gates. Faced with overwhelming public anger, Gilruth retreated into the building and ultimately resigned from his post. The uprising became a defining moment in Northern Territory history, highlighting the power of collective action against colonial authority. In its aftermath, administrative reforms were implemented, granting residents greater say in local governance.
1918
Darwin Rebellion
Government House
Northern Territory