Events 585 BC – A solar eclipse occurs, as predicted by the Greek philosopher and scientist Thales, while Alyattes is battling Cyaxares in the Battle of Halys, leading to a truce. This is one of the cardinal dates from which other dates can be calculated. 621 – Battle of Hulao: Li Shimin, the son of… Read More

Events 1644 – Manchu regent Dorgon defeats rebel leader Li Zicheng of the Shun dynasty at the Battle of Shanhai Pass, allowing the Manchus to enter and conquer the capital city of Beijing. 1703 – Tsar Peter the Great founds the city of Saint Petersburg. 1798 – The Battle of Oulart Hill takes place in… Read More

Events 17 – Germanicus celebrates a triumph in Rome for his victories over the Cherusci, Chatti, and other German tribes west of the Elbe. 451 – Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sasanian Empire takes place. The Sasanids defeat the Armenians militarily but guarantee them freedom to openly practice Christianity. 1573 – The… Read More

Events 567 BC – Servius Tullius, the king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans. 1085 – Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo, Spain, back from the Moors. 1644 – Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China… Read More

Events 1218 – The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1567 – Erik XIV of Sweden and his guards murder five incarcerated Swedish nobles. 1607 – One hundred English settlers disembark in Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in America. 1626 – Peter Minuit buys Manhattan. 1667 – The French Royal Army crosses the border… Read More

Events 1430 – Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to raise the Siege of Compiègne. 1568 – Dutch rebels led by Louis of Nassau, defeat Jean de Ligne, Duke of Arenberg, and his loyalist troops in the Battle of Heiligerlee, opening the Eighty Years’ War. 1609 – Official ratification… Read More

Events 853 – A Byzantine fleet sacks and destroys undefended Damietta in Egypt. 1176 – The Hashshashin (Assassins) attempt to assassinate Saladin near Aleppo. 1200 – King John of England and King Philip II of France sign the Treaty of Le Goulet. 1254 – Serbian King Stefan Uroš I and the Republic of Venice sign… Read More