Events 1562: The Battle of Dreux takes place during the French Wars of Religion. 1606: The ships Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery depart England carrying settlers who founded, at Jamestown, Virginia, the first of the thirteen colonies that became the United States. 1675: The Great Swamp Fight, a pivotal battle in King Philip’s War, gives… Read More

Events 546: Siege of Rome: The Ostrogoths under king Totila plunder the city, by bribing the Byzantine garrison. 920: Romanos I Lekapenos is crowned co-emperor of the underage Constantine VII. 942: Assassination of William I of Normandy. 1398 : Sultan Nasir-u Din Mehmud’s armies in Delhi are defeated by Timur. 1583: Cologne War: Forces under… Read More

Events 755: An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Yanjing, initiating the An Lushan Rebellion during the Tang dynasty of China. 1431: Hundred Years’ War: Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. 1598: Seven-Year War: Battle of Noryang: The final battle of the Seven-Year War is fought… Read More

Events 533: Vandalic War: Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Tricamarum. 1025: Constantine VIII becomes sole emperor of the Byzantine Empire, 63 years after being crowned co-emperor. 1161: Jin–Song wars: Military officers conspire against the emperor Wanyan Liang of the Jin dynasty after a military defeat at… Read More

Events 835: Sweet Dew Incident: Emperor Wenzong of the Tang dynasty conspires to kill the powerful eunuchs of the Tang court, but the plot is foiled. 1542: Princess Mary Stuart becomes Queen of Scots at the age of one week on the death of her father, James V of Scotland. 1751: The Theresian Military Academy… Read More

Events 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. 1643: English Civil War: The Battle of Alton takes place in Hampshire. 1862: American Civil War: At the Battle of Fredericksburg,… Read More

Events 220: Emperor Xian of Han is forced to abdicate the throne by his son Cao Cao, 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 the “Anarchy at Samarra”.… Read More