On This Day in History – December 18
Major Events 218 – Elagabalus is declared Roman Emperor The Syrian-born teenager, backed by the powerful Severan dynasty and his grandmother Julia Maesa, is proclaimed emperor by the legions. His…
Major Events 218 – Elagabalus is declared Roman Emperor The Syrian-born teenager, backed by the powerful Severan dynasty and his grandmother Julia Maesa, is proclaimed emperor by the legions. His…
Major Events 1538 – Pope Paul III excommunicates Henry VIII After years of conflict over the English Reformation and Henry’s separation from the Catholic Church, the pope formally excommunicates the…
Major Events 1598 – The Seven-Year War of Korea ends The final retreat of Japanese forces marks the close of Japan’s invasions of Korea under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The conflict reshapes…
Major Events 533 – Battle of Tricamarum Byzantine forces under Belisarius defeat the Vandals near modern-day Tunisia, leading to the collapse of the Vandal Kingdom. This victory helps restore parts…
Major Events 1287 – The St. Lucia’s Flood devastates the Netherlands and northern Germany One of the deadliest floods in European history strikes the North Sea coast, killing an estimated…
Major Events 1577 – Sir Francis Drake sets out on his circumnavigation of the globe Drake leaves Plymouth on a voyage that will make him the first Englishman to sail…
Major Events 627 – Battle of Nineveh Byzantine forces under Emperor Heraclius defeat the Sassanian Persians near modern-day Mosul. The victory cripples Persian military power and helps end the 26-year…
Major Events 1282 – Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, is killed Llywelyn’s death during conflict with English forces marks the effective end of independent Welsh rule.…
Major Events 1520 – Martin Luther burns the papal bull Exsurge Domine After being threatened with excommunication, Luther publicly burns the decree condemning his teachings. This symbolic act intensifies the…
Major Events 536 – Belisarius enters Rome The Byzantine general Belisarius captures Rome from the Ostrogoths during Justinian I’s campaign to reconquer the former Western Roman territories. The victory marks…