Events AD 41 – After a night of negotiation, Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate. 750 – In the Battle of the Zab, the Abbasid rebels defeat the Umayyad Caliphate, leading to overthrow of the dynasty. 1573 – Battle of Mikatagahara: In Japan, Takeda Shingen defeats Tokugawa Ieyasu. 1704 – The Battle… Read More
Events AD 41 – Claudius is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the Praetorian Guard after they assassinate the previous emperor, his nephew Caligula. 661 – The Rashidun Caliphate ends with the assassination of Ali, and the Imamah of the Shia going to the second Imam, Hassan ibn Ali. 914 – Start of the First Fatimid invasion… Read More
The term “tear-gas” covers a range of chemicals, of which the most widely used include o-chlorobensylidene malononitrile (cs), oleoresin capsicum (oc, or pepper spray) and 1-chloroacetophenone (cn). The gases are in fact powders, and new variants are designed to disperse slowly. Bizarrely, chemicals that are so often used on civilians are banned for military use.… Read More
Events 971 – Using crossbows, Song dynasty troops soundly defeat a war elephant corps of the Southern Han at Shao. 1264 – In the conflict between King Henry III of England and his rebellious barons led by Simon de Montfort, King Louis IX of France issues the Mise of Amiens, a one-sided decision in favour… Read More
Events 613 – Eight-month-old Constantine is crowned as co-emperor (Caesar) by his father Heraclius at Constantinople. 871 – Battle of Basing: The West Saxons led by King Æthelred I are defeated by the Danelaw Vikings at Basing. 1506 – The first contingent of 150 Swiss Guards arrives at the Vatican. 1517 – The Ottoman Empire… Read More
Events 763 – The Battle of Bakhamra between Alids and Abbasids near Kufa ends in a decisive Abbasid victory. 1720 – Sweden and Prussia sign the Treaty of Stockholm. 1793 – After being found guilty of treason by the French National Convention, Louis XVI of France is executed by guillotine. 1861 – American Civil War:… Read More
Events 649 – King Chindasuinth, at the urging of bishop Braulio of Zaragoza, crowns his son Recceswinth as co-ruler of the Visigothic Kingdom. 1265 – The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly known as the… Read More
