Category: Today In History

475 – Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor. 1517 – Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. 1861 – American Civil War: Citing failing health, Union General Winfield Scott resigns as Commander of the United States Army. He was a United States Army general...

312 – Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. 1275 – Traditional founding of the city of Amsterdam. 1553 – Michael Servetus was a Spanish theologian, physician, cartographer and was the first to correctly describe the function of pulmonary circulation. He participated in the Protestant Reformation and was...

740 – An earthquake strikes Constantinople and the surrounding countryside, causing destruction to the city’s land walls and buildings. 1774 – The first Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia. 1775 – King George III of Great Britain goes before Parliament to declare the American colonies in rebellion, and authorizes a military response to quell the American...

285 (or 286) – Execution of Saints Crispin and Crispinian during the reign of Diocletian, now the patron saints of leather workers, curriers, and shoemakers. 1812 – War of 1812: The American frigate, USS United States, commanded by Stephen Decatur, captures the British frigate HMS Macedonian. 1861 – The Toronto Stock Exchange is created. 1927...

1260 – Chartres Cathedral is dedicated in the presence of King Louis IX of France. Constructed between 1194 and 1250, Chartres is the last of at least five which have occupied the site since the 4th century. The majority of the original stained glass windows survive intact, while the architecture has seen only minor changes...