Daily History
All stories

On This Day in History

Every story we have published, newest first. One true, surprising story from history for each day.

  1. Balboa Spies the Pacific – First European to Reach the Ocean from the New World Exploration
  2. Byzantine Emperor Michael III Murdered, Basil I Seizes Throne Politics & state
  3. Neptune Predicted: Le Verrier, Adams & Galle Reveal New Planet Science & discovery
  4. Lincoln Issues Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation Politics & state
  5. Charles V Dies, Ending a Global Empire People
  6. Saladin Begins the Siege of Jerusalem War & conflict
  7. New Zealand Grants Women the Vote – First Nation to Do So Politics & state
  8. Constantine Defeats Licinius at Chrysopolis, Uniting the Roman Empire War & conflict
  9. Bloodiest Day: Antietam Halts Lee’s Invasion War & conflict
  10. Mayflower Sets Sail: Pilgrims Begin New World Journey Exploration
  11. Darwin’s Beagle Reaches the Galápagos – Spark for Evolution Exploration
  12. Napoleon's Moscow Invasion Ignites City Fire War & conflict
  13. Ögedei Khan Crowned Great Khan, Uniting the Mongol Empire Politics & state
  14. Battle of Vienna Stops Ottoman Advance War & conflict
  15. Roman Defeat at Teutoburg Forest Ends Empire's Expansion War & conflict
  16. Elias Howe patents the modern sewing machine, sparking the textile revolution Technology
  17. Vasco da Gama Returns, Completing First Sea Route to India Exploration
  18. Li Yuan's Victory at Huoyi Opens the Road to the Tang Dynasty War & conflict
  19. Sima Yi’s Death Ends a Three Kingdoms Powerbroker People
  20. Theodosius I Crushes Eugenius at the Battle of the Frigidus War & conflict
  21. Battle of the Frigidus: Theodosius Secures Christian Empire War & conflict
  22. Fall of Rome: Odoacer Dethrones Last Western Emperor Politics & state
  23. Mamluks Halt Mongol Advance at Ain Jalut War & conflict
  24. Britain Adopts Gregorian Calendar Politics & state
  25. Sikh Holy Scripture Installed Religion & philosophy
  26. Massive Caldera Earthquake Triggers Pacific Tsunamis Natural disaster
  27. Roman Siege Ends: Jerusalem Temple Destroyed War & conflict
  28. Ottoman Victory at Mohács Decimates Hungary War & conflict
  29. Third Crusade: Siege of Acre Begins War & conflict
  30. Visigoths End Three-Day Sack of Rome War & conflict
  31. Seljuks Crush Byzantines at Manzikert, Claim Anatolia War & conflict
  32. Galileo Demonstrates First Telescope Technology
  33. Visigoths Sack Rome for the First Time in 800 Years War & conflict
  34. Odoacer Proclaimed King of Italy, Ending Western Roman Empire Politics & state
  35. British East India Company Founds Madras (Chennai) Politics & state
  36. Portugal Conquers Ceuta, Launching Age of Discovery War & conflict
  37. Arab Conquests Establish Islamic Rule in Levant War & conflict
  38. Octavian Seizes Consulship, Ending Roman Republic Politics & state
  39. Henry of Navarre Marries Margaret of Valois Politics & state
  40. Spanish Capture Antwerp, Shifting European Power War & conflict
  41. Principality of Transylvania Established Politics & state
  42. Battle of Yarmouk Begins, Shaping Islamic Expansion War & conflict
  43. Taira Clan Flees with Emperor Antoku in Genpei War Politics & state
  44. Louis XVI Arrested, Declared Enemy of the People Politics & state
  45. Columbus Reaches Canary Islands on First Voyage Exploration
  46. Great Famine Grips Europe Natural disaster
  47. Magellan's Fleet Departs for First Circumnavigation Exploration
  48. Soviet Union Declares War on Japan War & conflict
  49. U.S. Marines Launch First Major Pacific Offensive at Guadalcanal War & conflict
  50. Atomic Bomb Destroys Hiroshima War & conflict
  51. Enola Gay departs for Hiroshima, ushering in the nuclear age War & conflict
  52. Britain declares war on Germany, entering World War I War & conflict
  53. Columbus Departs for the Americas Exploration
  54. Iraq Invades Kuwait, Triggering the Gulf War War & conflict
  55. Vasco da Gama Reaches India Exploration
  56. Nixon Announces Resignation on Live Television Politics & state
  57. NASA Formally Established Technology
  58. Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia War & conflict
  59. Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia, Triggering World War I War & conflict
  60. Apollo 11 Moon Landing — Humanity's Giant Leap Exploration