Events 1577 – Sir Francis Drake sets sail from Plymouth, England, on his round-the-world voyage. 1636 – The Massachusetts Bay Colony organises three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians. This organisation is recognised today as the founding of the National Guard of the United States. 1642 – Abel Tasman is the… Read More

Events 627 – Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II’s Persian forces, commanded by General Rhahzadh. 1862 – American Civil War: USS Cairo sinks on the Yazoo River. 1915 – Yuan Shikai declares the establishment of the Empire of China and proclaims himself Emperor. 1937 – Second Sino-Japanese War:… Read More

Events 220 – Emperor Xian of Han is forced to abdicate the throne by Cao Cao’s son Cao Pi, ending the Han dynasty. 361 – Julian enters Constantinople as sole Emperor of the Roman Empire. 861 – Assassination of the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil by the Turkish guard, who raise al-Muntasir to the throne. Start of… Read More

Events 1317 – The “Nyköping Banquet”: King Birger of Sweden treacherously seizes his two brothers Valdemar, Duke of Finland and Eric, Duke of Södermanland, who were subsequently starved to death in the dungeon of Nyköping Castle. 1508 – The League of Cambrai is formed by Pope Julius II, Louis XII of France, Maximilian I, Holy… Read More

Events 480 – Odoacer, first King of Italy, occupies Dalmatia. He later establishes his political power with the co-operation of the Roman Senate. 536 – Gothic War: The Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome unopposed; the Gothic garrison flee the capital. 730 – Battle of Marj Ardabil: The Khazars annihilate an Umayyad army and kill its… Read More

Events 395 – Later Yan is defeated by its former vassal Northern Wei at the Battle of Canhe Slope. 757 – Du Fu returns to Chang’an as a member of Emperor Xuanzong’s court, after having escaped the city during the An Lushan Rebellion. 877 – Louis the Stammerer (son of Charles the Bald) is crowned… Read More