slug: emperor-gaozu-of-tang

label: Emperor Gaozu of Tang

description: Founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty (566-635) (r. 618–626)

text: Li Yuan, Emperor Gaozu of the Tang dynasty (d. 635)

title: 566

text: Li Shimin, son of Chinese General Li Yuan (the Duke of Tang)

title: 600

date: September 8

text: September 8 – Battle of Huoyi: Rebel forces under Li Yuān defeat the Sui troops near the Fen River, and capture the Chinese capital, Chang'an. Li has gained support from Shibi, ruler (khagan) of the Eastern Turks, who secures his northern frontier and supplies him with 2,000 horses.

title: 617

date: June 18

text: June 18 – The Sui dynasty ends: Rebel leader Li Yuan captures Luoyang, and has Emperor Yángdi murdered. He proclaims himself emperor Gao Zu and establishes the Tang dynasty, one of the most notable dynasties in Chinese history, which will last for almost 300 years.

title: 618

date: November 2

text: November 2 – Tang campaigns against the Western Turks: A khagan of the Western Turkic Khaganate is assassinated in a Chinese palace by Eastern Turkic rivals, with the approval of Emperor Gaozu of Tang.

title: 619

section: Economy & Finance

text: Emperor Gaozu delegates control of his military and civil administration in the east to his second son, Li Shimin. He concentrates on reforming coinage (→ Kaiyuan Tongbao) and taxation.

title: 621

date: April 20

text: April 20 – (27th day of the 3rd month of the 6th year of the Wu'de era) Du Fuwei, a Chinese prince who rebelled against Sui dynasty China and then was rewarded with the title "Prince of Wu" by Emperor Gaozu of Tang, dies suddenly of poisoning, under suspicion that he has been ordered killed by the Emperor.

title: 624

section: Events › By date › January–June

date: August 12

text: August 12 – The Army of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, led by Illig Qaghan, clashes with the army of Tang dynasty China, led by Taizong, Prince of Qin and son of Emperor Gaozu, with fighting taking place west of Binzhou in what is now the Shandong province.

title: 624

section: Events › By date › July–December

date: September 4

text: September 4 – Emperor Gao Zu abdicates in favor of his son Li Shimin after an 8-year reign. He passes the throne to him (as Emperor Tai Zong).

title: 626

text: Tai Zong orders the construction of the Daming Palace in Chang'an. He builds the summer palace for his retired father, Emperor Gao Zu, as an act of filial piety.

title: 634

date: June 25

text: June 25 – Gao zu, emperor of the Tang dynasty (b. 566)

title: 635


slug: emperor-go-shirakawa

label: Emperor Go-Shirakawa

description: 77th emperor of Japan (1155–58)

section: Births

date: October 18

text: October 18 – Go-Shirakawa, Japanese emperor (d. 1192)

title: 1127

section: Deaths

date: August 22

text: August 22 – The 16-year-old Emperor Konoe dies after a 14-year reign. He is succeeded by his brother Go-Shirakawa as the 77th emperor of Japan.

title: 1155

section: Events › By place › Asia

section: Conflict & Security

date: July 28

text: July 28 – The Hōgen rebellion, a dispute between Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his half-brother retired-Emperor Sutoku, erupts in Japan.

title: 1156

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

date: September 5

text: September 5 – Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan abdicates the throne after a 3-year reign. He is succeeded by his 15-year-old son Nijō as the 77th emperor. Go-Shirakawa retains power, and gives Kiyomori Taira a higher position to lead a samurai-dominated government.

title: 1158

section: Religion & Belief

date: January 30

text: January 30 – Closeted Emperor Go-Shirakawa holds an opening ceremony for the Sanjūsangen-dō, a temple built by Taira no Kiyomori in Japan.

title: 1165

date: April 9

text: April 9 – Emperor Rokujō of Japan is deposed by his grandfather, retired-Emperor Go-Shirakawa, after an 8-month reign. He is succeeded by his 6-year-old uncle, Takakura, as the 80th emperor.

title: 1168

text: Taira no Kiyomori, Japanese military leader, confines the former Emperor Go-Shirakawa to his quarters after discovering that he has tried to confiscate the estates of Kiyomori's deceased children.

title: 1179

date: June 20

text: June 20 – Mochihito, Japanese prince and son of Go-Shirakawa

title: 1180

date: December

text: December – Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa grants Minamoto no Yoritomo the authority to form the first bakufu (shogunate) in Japan, ending the Genpei War.

title: 1185

date: April 26

text: April 26 – Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan (b. 1127)

title: 1192


slug: emperor-guangwu-of-han

label: Emperor Guangwu of Han

description: emperor and founder of the Eastern Han Dynasty (5 BC - AD 57) (r. AD 25 - AD 57)

year_label: 5 BCE

date: January 15

text: January 15 – Guang Wu, Chinese emperor of the Han Dynasty (d. AD 57)

title: 0s BC

section: Births › 5 BC

year_label: 10 CE

text: The usurper Wang Mang (who rules during a brief interregnum known as the Xin dynasty) outlaws the private purchase and use of crossbows. Despite this, Liu Xiu, the later Emperor Guangwu of Han, buys crossbows in the winter of AD 22 to aid the rebellion of his brother Liu Yan (styled Bosheng) and Li Tong.

title: 10s

section: Events › 10 AD › China

year_label: 23 CE

date: July

text: July – After being under siege for two months, about 19,000 insurgents under Liu Xiu defeat 450,000 of Wang Mang's troops in the Battle of Kunyang, ushering in the fall of Wang Mang's Xin dynasty and restoration of the Han dynasty.

title: 20s

section: Events › 23 AD › China

year_label: 25 CE

date: August 5

text: August 5 – The Han dynasty is restored in China as Liu Xiu proclaims himself Emperor Guangwu of Han, starting the Jianwu era (until AD 56).

title: 20s

section: Events › 25 AD › China

year_label: 26 CE

section: Culture & Society

text: Xinlun is presented by author Huan Tan to Emperor Guangwu of Han with its final chapter (on zither music) still unfinished.

title: 20s

section: Events › 26 AD › Han dynasty

year_label: 36 CE

date: December 25

text: December 25 – Wu Han commands the forces of Emperor Guang Wu of the Eastern Han to conquer the separatist Chengjia Empire, reuniting China.

title: 30s

section: Events › 36 AD › China

year_label: 40 CE

text: The Vietnamese Trưng Sisters rebel against the rule of the Chinese Emperor Guang Wu of Han.

title: 40s

section: Timeline › AD 40

year_label: 41 CE

text: Emperor Guang Wu of the Han Dynasty deposes his wife, Guo Shengtong, as empress, and makes his consort Yin Lihua empress in her place.

title: 40s

section: Timeline › AD 41

year_label: 48 CE

text: Emperor Guang Wu of Han, restores Chinese domination of Inner Mongolia. The Xiongnu are made confederates and guard the Northern border of the empire.

title: 40s

section: Timeline › AD 48

year_label: 57 CE

section: Exploration & Expansion

text: Emperor Guang Wu grants Nakoku (located around modern-day Fukuoka City) a golden seal, being the oldest evidence of writing in Japan. In return King Na sends an envoy to China.

title: 50s

section: Events › 57 AD › China

date: March 29

text: March 29 – Guang Wu, Chinese emperor (b. 5 BC)

title: 50s

section: Deaths › 57 AD


slug: emperor-huizong-of-song

label: Emperor Huizong of Song

description: emperor of the Song Dynasty (1082-1135)

section: Births

date: June 7

text: June 7 – Huizong, emperor of the Song dynasty (d. 1135)

title: 1082

section: Deaths

date: February 23

text: February 23 – Emperor Zhezong dies after a 15-year reign. He is succeeded by his 17-year-old brother Huizong as ruler of the Song dynasty. At about this date, the Chinese population reaches around 100 million and in Kaifeng, his capital, the number of registered citizens within the walls is about 1,050,000 with the army stationed here boosting the overall populace to some 1.4 million people.

title: 1100

section: Events › By place › China

text: Li Jie, Chinese government minister, publishes his Yingzao Fashi technical treatise on Chinese architecture, during the reign of Emperor Hui Zong of the Song Dynasty.

title: 1103

text: Emperor Hui Zong writes his Treatise on Tea, the most detailed description of the Song sophisticated style of tea ceremony.

title: 1107

section: Events › By topic › Literature

text: Emperor Huizong of the Song dynasty sends a gift of Chinese musical instruments, for use in royal banquets to the Korean court of Goryeo, by request from King Yejong.

title: 1114

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: Aak music is introduced to the Korean court, through a large gift of 428 musical instruments as well as 572 costumes and ritual dance objects from China, by Emperor Huizong of the Song dynasty.

title: 1116

section: Events › By topic › Art and Music

text: Emperor Emperor Huizong of Song sends an expedition to crush the rebellion at Hangzhou (modern-day Zhejiang) in China. The rebels are defeated and their leader Fang La is captured and executed.

title: 1121

date: January 18

text: January 18 – Emperor Hui Zong of the Song Dynasty abdicates in favour of his eldest son, Qin Zong after a 24-year reign. Hui Zong assumes the honorary title of Taishang Huang (or "Retired Emperor").

title: 1126

date: January 9

text: January 9 – Jin–Song Wars: Jurchen forces sack the Chinese capital of Kaifeng of the Northern Song dynasty during the Jingkang incident. They capture Emperor Qinzong, along with his father, Huizong, and members of the House of Zhao.

title: 1127

date: June 4

text: June 4 – Huizong, emperor of the Song dynasty (b. 1082)

title: 1135

text: June 4 – Emperor Hui Zong dies in exile in Heilongjiang (Manchuria), having been held prisoner with his son Qin Zong since their capture in 1127.

title: 1135

date: March 16

text: March 16 – Red Turban Rebellions: Han Lin'er, a claimed descendant of Emperor Huizong of Song, is proclaimed emperor of the restored Song dynasty in Bozhou.

title: 1355

section: Events


slug: emperor-of-china

label: Emperor of China

description: sovereign of Imperial China

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: The Chinese emperor of the Ming dynasty, the Hongwu Emperor, suspends the traditional civil service examination system after complaining that the 120 new jinshi degree-holders are too incompetent to hold office; he instead relies solely upon a system of recommendations, until the civil service exams are reinstated in 1384.

title: 1373

section: Events › Date unknown

date: June 27

text: June 27 – Zhu Zhanji is formally enthroned as the Ming dynasty Emperor of China as the Emperor Xuanzong, beginning the Xuande Era.

title: 1425

section: Events › April –June

text: February 23 – Prince Zhu Jianshen becomes the new Ming dynasty Emperor of China, taking the regnal name Emperor Xianzong upon the death of his father, the Emperor Yingzong of Ming. His reign is subsequently designated as the Chenghua Era.

title: 1464

section: Events › January–March

date: March 4

text: March 4 or January 23 – Longqing Emperor, Emperor of China (d. 1572)

title: 1537

date: July 13

text: July 13 – Qianlong, the Emperor of China issues a decree that copper engravings be made to depict all of his victories in battle. In the interest of amity with the Chinese, King George III of Great Britain gives priority to the sale of British copper, and King Louis XV of France assents to the use of French artisans.

title: 1765

section: Events › July–December

section: Science & Discovery

text: Ephraim Bee reveals that the Emperor of China has given him a special dispensation: that he has entrusted him with certain sacred and mysterious rituals through Caleb Cushing, the U.S. Commissioner to China, to "extend the work and influence of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus" in the New World.

title: 1845

date: January 12

text: January 12 – Guangxu becomes the 11th Qing dynasty Emperor of China at the age of 3. He succeeds his cousin, the Tongzhi Emperor, who had no sons of his own.

title: 1875

section: Events › January

date: March 22

text: March 22 – The temporary Emperor of China, Yuan Shikai, abdicates the throne, and the Republic of China is restored once again.

title: 1916

section: Events › March


slug: emperor-of-ethiopia

label: Emperor of Ethiopia

description: hereditary rulers of the Ethiopian Empire

text: Amda Seyon I, known as "the Pillar of Zion" begins his reign as Emperor of Ethiopia, during which he expands into Muslim territory to the southeast by incorporating a number of smaller states.

title: 1314

section: Events › Undated

section: Conflict & Security

date: February 18

text: February 18 – Amda Seyon I, Emperor of Ethiopia, begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces (possibly in 1332).

title: 1329

section: Events › January–December

text: February 18 – Amda Seyon I, Emperor of Ethiopia, begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces (possibly in 1329).

title: 1332

text: Newaya Krestos succeeds his father Amda Seyon I as Emperor of Ethiopia

title: 1344

text: Zara Yaqob, Emperor of Ethiopia (d. 1468)

title: 1399

date: June

text: June – Amda Iyasus, Emperor of Ethiopia

title: 1434

date: July 15

text: July 15 – Eskender, Emperor of Ethiopia (d. 1494)

title: 1471

date: November 8

text: November 8 – Eskender succeeds his father Baeda Maryam as Emperor of Ethiopia, at the age of seven, initially under the regency of his mother, Romna Wark.

title: 1478

section: Events › October–December

date: May 7

text: May 7 – The infant Amda Seyon II succeeds his father Eskender as Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1494

section: Events › April–June

text: May 7 – Eskender, Emperor of Ethiopia (b. 1471)

title: 1494

date: October 26

text: October 26 – Amda Seyon II is deposed and killed, and his uncle Na'od succeeds him as Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1494

text: October 26 – Amda Seyon II, Emperor of Ethiopia (b. c. 1487)

title: 1494

date: July 31

text: July 31 – The Emperor of Ethiopia, Na'od, dies in battle. His son Lebna Dengel takes on the regnal name of Dawit II, and becomes the new emperor starting on August 11.

title: 1508

section: Events › July–September

text: July 31 – Na'od, Emperor of Ethiopia (in battle)

title: 1508

date: March 9

text: March 9 – The Battle of Shimbra Kure is fought in Ethiopia as the Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, with 12,000 men, including special forces armed with matchlock firearms, defeats the 200,000 man army of the Emperor Dawit II.

title: 1529

date: October 28

text: October 28 – Battle of Amba Sel: Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi again defeats the army of Dawit II, Emperor of Ethiopia. The southern part of Ethiopia thus falls under Imam Ahmad's control.

title: 1531

date: September 3

text: September 3 – Gelawdewos succeeds his father Lebna Dengel as Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1540

date: July 9

text: July 9 – Estêvão da Gama departs Massawa, leaving behind 400 matchlock men and 150 slaves under his brother Cristóvão da Gama, with orders to assist the Emperor of Ethiopia to defeat Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, who had invaded his Empire.

title: 1541

date: February 1

text: February 1 – Sarsa Dengel succeeds his father Menas as Emperor of Ethiopia at age 14.

title: 1563

text: Sarsa Dengel, Emperor of Ethiopia, defeats and kills Bahr negus Yeshaq along with his Ottoman allies, finally ending his rebellion.

title: 1578

text: Yaqob is deposed as Emperor of Ethiopia for the first time by Za Sellase, who appoints his cousin Za Dengel to replace him.

title: 1603

date: March 10

text: March 10 – Battle of Gol in Gojjam: Susenyos defeats the combined armies of Yaqob and Abuna Petros II, which makes him Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1607

section: Culture & Society

date: March 18

text: March 18 – Susenyos is formally crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, at the ancient city of Axum.

title: 1608

text: March 9 – Battle of Segaba in Begemder: Yemana Kristos, brother of Emperor of Ethiopia Susenyos I, ends the rebellion of Melka Sedeq.

title: 1611

section: Religion & Belief

date: June 25

text: June 25 – Fasilides, Emperor of Ethiopia in succession to his father Susenyos, declares the state religion of the country again to be Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and confiscates the lands of the Jesuit missionaries, relegating them to Fremona.

title: 1632

text: Emperor of Ethiopia Fasilides expels Jesuit missionaries.

title: 1633

date: October 18

text: October 18 – Yohannes I becomes king of Ethiopia, following the death of his father Negus Fasilides.

title: 1667

date: July 19

text: July 19 – Iyasus succeeds his father Yohannes I as Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1682

date: March 27

text: March 27 – Concluding that Emperor Iyasus I of Ethiopia has abdicated by retiring to a monastery, a council of high officials appoint Tekle Haymanot I Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1706

date: July 1

text: July 1 – Tewoflos becomes Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1708

section: Health & Medicine

date: October 14

text: October 14 – Yostos kills Tewoflos, becoming Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1711

text: June 27 – Iyoas I becomes the new Emperor of Ethiopia upon the death of his father, Iyasu II

title: 1755

section: Technology & Infrastructure

date: July 20

text: July 20 – Tekle Giyorgis I begins the first of his five reigns as Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1779

date: February 7

text: February 7 – Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia, defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien.

title: 1842

date: February 11

text: February 11 – Kassa Hailu is crowned Tewodros II, Emperor of Ethiopia.

title: 1855

text: March 9 – Battle of Metemma: Yohannes IV, Emperor of Ethiopia, is killed; Sudanese forces, who have been almost defeated, rally and destroy the Ethiopian army. Yohannes is probably the world's last ruler ever to die in battle; on March 25 Menelik II proclaims himself as his successor.

title: 1889


slug: emperor-of-japan

label: Emperor of Japan

description: head of state of Japan

year_label: 660 BCE

text: February 11 - The accession date of the first Emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, converted from the Japanese imperial year as calculated by the dates in the Nihon Shoki.

title: 660 BC

section: Events

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

date: March 3

text: March 3 – Empress Genshō abdicates the throne, in favor of her 23-year-old nephew, Prince Obito, who becomes the 45th monarch of Japan as the Emperor Shōmu. He is the son of the late Emperor Monmu.

title: 724

section: Events › By date

text: Empress Kōken abdicates the throne, after a 9-year reign. She is succeeded by her adopted son Junnin, grandson of the late emperor Tenmu. He becomes the 47th emperor (tennō) of Japan.

title: 758

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: Emperor Kazan abdicates the throne after a political struggle from the Fujiwara family. He is succeeded by his 6-year-old cousin Ichijō as the 66th emperor (tennō) of Japan.

title: 986

section: Disasters & Accidents

date: November

text: November – The imperial palace is destroyed by fire.

title: 1001

section: Deaths

date: June 18

text: June 18 – Chūkyō, emperor (tennō) of Japan (b. 1218)

title: 1234

date: February 16

text: February 16 – Emperor Go-Saga abdicates the throne in favor of his 3-year-old son, Go-Fukakusa, who becomes the 89th Emperor of Japan.

title: 1246

section: Births

date: April 5

text: April 5 – Go-Fushimi, emperor (tenno) of Japan (d. 1336)

title: 1288

date: September 10

text: September 10 – (Tokuji 3, 25th day of the 8th month) At the age of 11, Hanazono becomes the 95th Emperor of Japan upon the death of his cousin, the Emperor Go-Nijō. Emperor Hanazono will rule until 1348.

title: 1308

section: Events › July – September

date: April 30

text: April 30 – The coronation ceremony of Go-Daigo as Emperor of Japan is held.

title: 1318

section: Events › April – June

date: March 29

text: March 29 – (Tenbun 4, 26th day of 2nd month) Go-Nara, who has ruled since 1526 is formally installed as the 105th Emperor of Japan

title: 1535

date: May 9

text: May 9 – At the age of 16, Emperor Go-Mizunoo succeeds his father Emperor Go-Yōzei as Emperor of Japan.

title: 1611

date: December 26

text: December 26 – In the history of Japan, the Shōwa period begins from this day, due to the death of Emperor Taishō on the day before. His son Hirohito will reign as Emperor of Japan until 1989.

title: 1926

section: Events › December

text: December 26 – Joseph Ivor Linton, the first Israeli Minister Plenipotentiary in Japan, presents his credentials to the Emperor of Japan.

title: 1952

section: Events › November–December

date: November 25

text: November 25 – In Tokyo, author and Tatenokai militia leader Yukio Mishima and his followers take over the headquarters of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in an attempted coup d'état. After Mishima's speech fails to sway public opinion towards his right-wing political beliefs, including restoration of the powers of the Emperor, he commits seppuku (public ritual suicide).

title: 1970

section: Events › November

date: January 7

text: January 7 – Emperor Hirohito dies; his son Akihito ascends as the 125th Emperor of Japan, followed by the change in the era name from Shōwa to Heisei on the following day.

title: 1989

date: May 27

text: May 27 – U.S. President Donald Trump, during an official state visit to Japan, becomes the first foreign leader to meet with Japanese emperor Naruhito.

title: 2019

section: Events › May


slug: emperor-shomu

label: Emperor Shōmu

description: Emperor of Japan

date: September 22

text: September 22 – Shōmu, emperor of Japan (d. 756)

title: 701

title: 724

section: Culture & Society

text: The first annual Sumo tournament in Japan is held by Emperor Shōmu (approximate date).

title: 726

text: Emperor Shōmu changes the law of Perpetual Ownership of Cultivated Lands. This permits aristocrats and members of the clergy to cultivate land. The new farmland will be called shoin.

title: 743

section: Events › By place › Japan

date: August 19

text: August 19 – Emperor Shōmu abdicates the throne, after a 25-year reign that has been dominated by his wife (and aunt), Kōmyō, a commoner he married at age 16. He is succeeded by his daughter Kōken; Shōmu becomes the first retired emperor to become a Buddhist priest.

title: 749

text: Emperor Shōmu (retired since 749) takes part in the dedication ceremony of the Great Buddha, (15 metres) at Tōdai-ji in Nara (Japan), and declares himself a Buddhist.

title: 752

section: Events › By topic › Religion

text: Jianzhen, Chinese Buddhist monk, arrives in Nara, where he is welcomed by former emperor Shōmu and empress Kōmyō. During his visit Jianzhen introduces sugar to the Japanese court, using it to mask the flavors of foul-tasting herbal tea.

title: 754

date: June 4

text: June 4 – Emperor Shōmu (retired since 749) dies at Nara. His wife Kōmyō dedicates over 600 items to the Great Buddha, and donates large sums of money to the Shōsō-in treasure (storehouse) in Tōdai-ji.

title: 756

text: June 4 – Shōmu, emperor of Japan (b. 701)

title: 756


slug: emperor-taizong-of-tang

label: Emperor Taizong of Tang

description: Chinese emperor of the Tang Dynasty (598-649) (r. 626-649)

date: January 28

text: January 28 – Taizong, emperor of the Tang dynasty (d. 649)

title: 598

date: January 23

text: January 23 – Tai Zong, emperor of the Tang dynasty (d. 649)

title: 599

section: Economy & Finance

text: Emperor Gaozu delegates control of his military and civil administration in the east to his second son, Li Shimin. He concentrates on reforming coinage (→ Kaiyuan Tongbao) and taxation.

title: 621

section: Conflict & Security

date: August 12

text: August 12 – The Army of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, led by Illig Qaghan, clashes with the army of Tang dynasty China, led by Taizong, Prince of Qin and son of Emperor Gaozu, with fighting taking place west of Binzhou in what is now the Shandong province.

title: 624

section: Events › By date › July–December

section: Crime & Justice

date: July 2

text: July 2 – Li Shimin travels to the Tang capital Chang'an to bid farewell to his younger brother Li Yuanji, who has been given command of a Chinese expedition against the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Hearing of a plot to murder him, he and a few supporters seize the northern entrance to the emperor's palace. Li Shimin ambushes and eliminates his rival brothers Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng, in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

title: 626

date: September 4

text: September 4 – Emperor Gao Zu abdicates in favor of his son Li Shimin after an 8-year reign. He passes the throne to him (as Emperor Tai Zong).

title: 626

text: Winter – Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty launches a campaign against the Eastern Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia).

title: 629

section: Exploration & Expansion

text: Emperor Tai Zong sends envoys to the Xueyantuo, vassals of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, bearing gold and silk in order to obtain the release of enslaved Chinese prisoners, who were captured during the transition from the Sui to the Tang dynasty from the northern frontier. The embassy succeeds in freeing 80,000 men and women, who are safely returned to China.

title: 631

section: Technology & Infrastructure

text: The Xumi Pagoda of Zhengding (China) is built, during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang.

title: 636

text: The Xueyantuo assaults the Chinese-conquered vassal of Eastern Tujue. Although simultaneously fighting in Korea against Goguryeo, Emperor Tai Zong commissions his famous general Li Shiji to fend off attacks in the campaign against Xueyantuo.

title: 639

text: Emperor Taizong of Tang begins the military campaigns against the Western Regions states in the Tarim Basin. General Hou Junji captures the kingdom of Gaochang, to solidify Tang rule in Central Asia.

title: 640

text: Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty (China) instigates a civil war in the Western Turkic Khaganate, by supporting Isbara Yabghu Qaghan.

title: 641

text: Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty issues a decree throughout China, that increases the punishment for men who deliberately inflict injuries upon themselves (most commonly breaking their own legs) in order to avoid military conscription. This decree is an effort to eradicate this practice that has grown as a trend since the time of the rebellion against the Sui dynasty.

title: 642

text: Chinese prefectural government officials travel to the capital of Chang'an, to give the annual report of the affairs in their districts. Emperor Taizong discovers that many have no proper quarters to rest in, and are renting rooms with merchants. Therefore, Taizong orders the government agencies in charge of municipal construction to build every visiting official his own private mansion in the capital.

title: 643

text: Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty sends a Chinese expeditionary force, to invade and annex the Tarim Basin kingdom of Karasahr in Xinjiang, a vassal of the Western Turkic Khaganate. The oasis state is conquered, and Western Turks sent to assist Karasahr are defeated by the Tang forces.

title: 644

section: Religion & Belief

text: Xuanzang, Chinese Buddhist monk, returns to China after a 16-year pilgrimage to India. He is greeted with much honor by Emperor Taizong.

title: 645

date: May 1

text: May 1 – First conflict of the Goguryeo–Tang War: A Chinese expeditionary army under Emperor Taizong of Tang crosses the Liao River into Goguryeo (one of the Three kingdoms of Korea).

title: 645

section: Events › By place › China

text: Summer – Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty destroys the Xueyantuo state, during the campaign against the Xueyantuo (Central Asia).

title: 646

text: Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty sends a Chinese mission to study Indian techniques of sugar manufacturing, at Bihar in the Ganges Valley.

title: 647

date: July 10

text: July 10 – Taizong, Chinese Tang dynasty emperor (b. 598)

title: 649

text: July 10 – Emperor Taizong dies after a 23-year reign, in which he has restored the civil administration in China. He is succeeded by his son Gaozong, age 20, who becomes ruler of the Tang dynasty.

title: 649

section: Climate & Environment

text: Due to a culmination of major droughts, floods, locust plagues and epidemics, a widespread famine breaks out in the dual Chinese capital cities of Chang'an (primary capital) and Luoyang (secondary capital). The scarcity of food drives the price of grain to unprecedented heights, ending a once prosperous era under emperors Taizong and Gaozong on a sad note.

title: 682


slug: emperor-tenji

label: Emperor Tenji

description: Emperor of Japan (626-672)

section: Births

text: Tenji, emperor of Japan (d. 672)

title: 626

text: July 10 – Isshi Incident: Prince Naka-no-Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari assassinate Soga no Iruka, during a coup d'état at the imperial palace.

title: 645

text: Prince Tenji of Japan changes his residence to Asuka (Nara Prefecture), with other imperial family members and ministers. Only Emperor Kōtoku stays in the Naniwa Palace (approximate date).

title: 653

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: The Chinese Buddhist monks Zhi Yu and Zhi You recreate several south-pointing chariots, for the Japanese prince Tenji. This is a 3rd-century device made by Ma Jun, and acts as a mechanical-driven directional-compass vehicle (according to the Nihon Shoki).

title: 658

text: Prince Naka no Ōe no Ōji of Japan makes a Japanese clock for the first time at Asuka, by which he causes the people to know the hours.

title: 660

date: July 24

text: July 24 – Emperor Tenji ascends to the throne of Japan after his mother Empress Saimei’s death. He sends an expeditionary force under Abe no Hirafu to Korea, to help the allied kingdom of Baekje.

title: 661

text: Emperor Tenji of Japan officially accedes to the throne, and hunts on the Moor of Ōmi-Gamōno. The letters exchanged between prince Ōama and princess Nukata are recorded in Man'yōshū.

title: 668

section: Deaths

date: November 14

text: November 14 – Kamatari, Japanese statesman and reformer, receives the surname Fujiwara from Emperor Tenji as a reward for his services, but dies in Yamato prefecture (modern-day Sakurai City). [Significance of this event is unclear]

title: 669

date: June 10

text: June 10 – Emperor Tenji introduces a water clock (clepsydra) called Rokoku. The instrument, which measures time and indicates hours, is placed in the capital of Ōtsu in Japan.

title: 671

text: January 7 – Tenji, emperor of Japan (b. 626)

title: 672

text: January 7 – Emperor Tenji dies after a 10-year reign, in which he has given the Fujiwara clan its name. Following his death, there ensues a succession dispute between Tenji's 14 children (many by different mothers). He is succeeded by his favorite son Kōbun, age 23, who was the first accorded with the title Daijō-daijin.

title: 672


slug: emperor-tenmu

label: Emperor Tenmu

description: Emperor of Japan

date: August 21

text: August 21 – Kōbun is deposed after 8 months, during a brief but violent battle called the Jinshin War. He is succeeded by his uncle Ōama, who becomes the 40th emperor of Japan with support from the Fujiwara family. He takes the name Tenmu, and begins a reign that will continue until 686.

title: 672

date: March 20

text: March 20 – Emperor Tenmu assumes the Chrysanthemum Throne of Japan at the Palace of Kiyomihara, in Asuka.

title: 673

date: March 16

text: March 16 – Emperor Tenmu decrees the end of serfdom. He also orders an end to granting lands to Princes of the Blood, to Princes and to Ministers and Temples.

title: 675

text: Emperor Tenmu of Japan promulgates a decree about taxes from fiefs, and the employment of persons for the service from the outer provinces. Men of distinguished ability are allowed to enter the service, even though they are of the common people, regardless of their ranks.

title: 676

date: April 27

text: April 27 – Emperor Tenmu holds divination for the purpose of proceeding to the Abstinence Palace.

title: 678

section: Health & Medicine

text: In Japan, Princess Uno Sarara is unwell, and Emperor Tenmu begins the erection of the Temple of Yakushi-ji (Nara Prefecture). He makes 100 people enter religion as priests, wishing her to recover her health.

title: 680

text: In Japan the Asuka Kiyomihara Code is commenced under Emperor Tenmu.

title: 681

text: Emperor Tenmu issues a decree forbidding the Japanese-style cap of ranks and garments, and changing them into Chinese ones. He also makes a decree forbidding men to wear leggings and women to let down their hair on their backs. It is from this time, that the practice begins of women riding on horseback like men. He issues an edict prescribing the character of ceremonies and language to be used on occasions of ceremony. Ceremonial kneeling and crawling are both abolished, and the ceremonial custom of standing at the Tang court is practiced.

title: 682

text: Emperor Tenmu decrees a reform in Japan; copper coins must be used instead of silver coins. Three days later he issues a decree to allow the continued use of silver.

title: 683

date: November 13

text: November 13 – Emperor Tenmu institutes eight titles of eight classes (Yakusa-no-kabane) in Japan.

title: 684

section: Events › By place › Asia › Japan

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: Empress Wu Zetian sends a pair of giant pandas to the Japanese court of Emperor Tenmu, as a diplomatic gift (approximate date).

title: 685

date: October 1

text: October 1 – Tenmu, emperor of Japan

title: 686

text: October 1 – Emperor Tenmu of Japan dies after a 13-year reign, and is succeeded by his widow (and niece), Empress Jitō. She will reign until 697.

title: 686

text: The Asuka Kiyomihara Code, a collection of governing rules commenced in 681 under Emperor Tenmu, is promulgated in Japan.

title: 689

text: Empress Jitō abdicates the throne in favor of the 14-year-old Monmu (grandson of late emperor Tenmu). During her 11-year reign she has established the foundations of law in Japan.

title: 697

date: July 18

text: July 18 – Emperor Monmu dies after a 10-year reign. He is succeeded by his aunt Genmei, who becomes the 43rd empress of Japan. She is the sister of former empress Jitō, and the niece and wife of late emperor Tenmu.

title: AD 707

text: Empress Kōken abdicates the throne, after a 9-year reign. She is succeeded by her adopted son Junnin, grandson of the late emperor Tenmu. He becomes the 47th emperor (tennō) of Japan.

title: 758


slug: emperor-wen-of-sui

label: Emperor Wen of Sui

description: founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty (541-604)

date: July 21

text: July 21 – Emperor Wen of Sui, emperor of the Sui dynasty (d. 604)

title: 541

text: The Chinese city of Ye (Henan) is razed to the ground by Yang Jian, future founder of the Sui dynasty, who defeats a resistance force under Yuchi Jiong.

title: 580

text: The Northern Zhou dynasty ends: Yáng Jiān executes the last ruler, 8-year-old Jing Di, along with 58 royal relatives at Chang'an. He proclaims himself emperor, and establishes the Sui dynasty in China.

title: 581

text: Emperor Wen of the Sui dynasty orders the building of a new capital, which he calls Daxing (Great Prosperity), on a site southeast of Chang'an (modern Xi'an).

title: 582

text: Emperor Wéndi of the Sui dynasty organises the Grand Canal. He builds ships for transportation and grain stores are located at strategic points.

title: 584

text: Fall – The Liang dynasty ends: Emperor Wéndi of the Sui dynasty abolishes Western Liang and expands his territory into the lower valley of the Yangtze River. He sends his official Gao Jiong to the capital Jiangling, to pacify the citizens. The former emperor Xiao Jing Di becomes a vassal and is named the Duke of Liang.

title: 587

text: Emperor Wéndi of the Sui dynasty prepares a campaign against the Chen dynasty. He amasses 518,000 troops along the northern bank of the Yangtze River, stretching from Sichuan to the Pacific Ocean.

title: 588

text: The Chinese Empire is reunited under the leadership of Emperor Wéndi (Sui dynasty), who defeats the Chen forces at Jiankang (modern Nanjing), ending the Chen dynasty (the last of the Southern dynasties) that has ruled since 557.

title: 589

text: Summer – Emperor Wéndi reduces taxes, due to an overflowing abundance of food and silk in the governmental stores. He sends messengers around central China, redistributing land to give the poor farming land.

title: 592

text: Emperor Wéndi repairs and expands sections of the Great Wall in the north-west, which is undertaken by using forced labour. During the years, thousands of civilians are killed.

title: 594

text: Spring – Emperor Wéndi orders the confiscation and destruction of privately held weapons; he exempts the border provinces from this edict.

title: 595

text: Emperor Wéndi sends diplomatic letters to the royal court of Goguryeo (Korea). He demands the cancellation of the military alliance with the Eastern Turk Khanate, and the raiding of Sui border regions.

title: 596

date: August 4

text: August 4 – Goguryeo War: Emperor Wéndi orders his youngest son, Yang Liang (assisted by the co-prime minister Gao Jiong), to conquer Goguryeo (Korea) during the rainy season, with a Chinese army (300,000 men).

title: 598

text: Emperor Wéndi stabilises the Chinese Empire; the agricultural acreage increases greatly, and shipbuilding technology reaches a new high level.

title: 603

date: August 13

text: August 13 – Emperor Wen of Sui, emperor of the Sui dynasty (b. 541)

title: 604

text: August 13 – Emperor Wéndi dies, age 63, presumably assassinated by his son Yángdi, after a 23-year reign in which he has attacked hereditary privilege and reduced the power of the military aristocracy. He is succeeded by Yángdi, who becomes the second emperor of the Sui dynasty.

title: 604


slug: emperor-wu-of-han

label: Emperor Wu of Han

description: seventh emperor of the Han dynasty of China (157 BC–87 BC)

year_label: 169 BCE

text: Liu Fei, Chinese prince of the Han dynasty. He is also the son of Emperor Jing and a half-brother of Emperor Wu (d. 128 BC)

title: 169 BC

year_label: 157 BCE

date: July 30

text: 30 July – Wu of Han, who will be emperor of the Chinese Han dynasty from 141 BC (d. 87 BC)

title: 157 BC

year_label: 141 BCE

date: March 9

text: March 9 – Emperor Wu of Han ("Martial Emperor") starts to rule the Han dynasty.

title: 141 BC

year_label: 139 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han sends the diplomat Zhang Qian west to form an alliance with the Yuezhi against the Xiongnu. Wu does this after learning from Xiongnu defectors that the Xiongnu had defeated and killed the king of the Yuezhi, had expelled the Yuezhi from their lands and were using their king's skull as a wine goblet. The Yuezhi had subsequently migrated further west.

title: 139 BC

year_label: 138 BCE

text: Grand Empress Dowager Dou, the grandmother of Emperor Wu of Han, purges the high administration of officials to consolidate her power. Among those dismissed are Prime Minister Dou Yong and her own half-brother, the General-in-Chief Tian Fen. Two of the young emperor's closest advisors, Zhao Wan and Wang Zang, are arrested and commit suicide.

title: 138 BC

year_label: 136 BCE

text: Confucianism is adopted as the state religion in China by Emperor Wu.

title: 136 BC

year_label: 135 BCE

text: Grand Empress Dowager Dou dies, which allows her grandson Emperor Wu to exert greater control over the empire.

title: 135 BC

year_label: 134 BCE

text: On the advice of philosopher Dong Zhongshu, Emperor Wu of Han promotes Confucianism as the official doctrine of the Han dynasty and assigns special merit to the Book of Rites, the Classic of Music, the Classic of Poetry, the Book of Documents, I Ching (the Book of Changes) and the Spring and Autumn Annals.

title: 134 BC

year_label: 129 BCE

section: Culture & Society

date: March

text: March: Chen Jiao is deposed as Empress after she asks a sorceress to curse Emperor Wu's favourite consort, Wei Zifu, this being regarded an act of heresy and treason. Wei Zifu is made the new Empress.

title: 129 BC

year_label: 122 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han appoints Liu Ju, his son by Empress Wei Zifu, as Crown Prince.

title: 122 BC

year_label: 118 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han secretly executes his favourite necromancer Shao Weng for fraud.

title: 118 BC

year_label: 109 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han inspects the Han Empire, traveling . He also sends diplomats to search for the legendary Penglai Island.

title: 109 BC

year_label: 108 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han founds Jiuquan in the Hexi Corridor as a military outpost on the Silk Road to Central Asia. It serves to protect diplomats and merchants, and it cuts off the kings of the region from the Xiongnu. He also founds Xianlei in present-day Inner Mongolia, extending Han control further north than before.

title: 108 BC

year_label: 104 BCE

text: War of the Heavenly Horses: Emperor Wu of Han sends an army of 6000 cavalrymen and 10,000 convicts under Li Guangli to attack Dayuan in modern Kyrgyzstan after Wugua, the king of Dayuan, refuses to send the Han any of the prized horses of Dayuan and, following a contentious meeting with the Han diplomats, has a vassal king kill the diplomats and seize their goods. The Han expeditionary force proceeds with difficulty, marching through arid regions and facing hostile cities.

title: 104 BC

year_label: 101 BCE

text: Han-Xiongnu War: At the beginning of the year, Xulihu Chanyu dies from illness and is succeeded by Qiedihou Chanyu. Qiedihou releases the Han envoys detained by the Xiongnu and receives gifts from Emperor Wu of Han.

title: 101 BC

year_label: 100 BCE

text: War of the Heavenly Horses: the Han expedition under Li Guangli returns victorious to China. He is followed by dynastic representatives sent by various Central Asian kings, so that they may pay tribute to Emperor Wu of Han. Emperor Wu keeps these representatives as hostages and sends soldiers to build pavilions and reclaim wasteland along the route to the west to provide food and shelter for Han envoys.

title: 100 BC

year_label: 98 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han sends the Han general Gongsun Ao on a mission to rescue general Li Ling from Xiongnu captivity. Gongsun achieves little but receives incorrect information that Li has been training Xiongnu soldiers. Enraged, Emperor Wu exterminates Li's clan.

title: 98 BC

year_label: 97 BCE

text: The Han generals Li Guangli, Gongsun Ao, Han Yue and Lu Bode lead armies into Xiongnu territory. The campaign achieves little, and Gongsun Ao suffers a defeat. Emperor Wu of Han condemns him to death due to his troops suffering heavy losses, but he escapes by feigning his death. He is eventually discovered and executed during the witchcraft trials of 91 BC.

title: 97 BC

year_label: 90 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han sends three armies against the Xiongnu under General-in-Chief Li Guangli, Ma Tong and Shang Qiucheng, marching from Wuyuan, Jiuqian and Xihe respectively. An army of Central Asian vassals of Han, under Cheng Mian, captures the king of the vassal state of Jushi, who is suspected of treachery. The Xiongnu General-in-Chief and the former Han general Li Ling fight indecisively against Shang's army.

title: 90 BC

text: Li Yannian, Chinese musician (executed by Wu of Han)

title: 90 BC

year_label: 88 BCE

text: Emperor Wu of Han makes preparations for the six-year-old Liu Fuling to be made Crown Prince and establishes Huo Guang as the future regent. The emperor executes Fuling's mother Lady Gouyi so that she cannot dominate the state while Fuling is a child emperor.

title: 88 BC

year_label: 87 BCE

date: March 29

text: March 29 – Han Wudi, emperor of the Han dynasty (b. 157 BC)

title: 87 BC

text: March 29 – Emperor Wu of Han dies after a 54-year reign in which he leads the Han dynasty (China) through its greatest expansion. The Empire's borders span from modern Kyrgyzstan in the west, to Mongolia in the north, to Korea in the east, and to northern Vietnam in the south.

title: 87 BC


slug: emperor-xiaowen-of-northern-wei

label: Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei

description: Emperor of Northern Wei Dynasty from 471 to 499

date: October 13

text: October 13 – Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei (d. 499)

title: 467

text: Northern Wei ruler Xianwen officially goes into retirement. His son, Xiao Wen Di, aged 4, becomes the new emperor, initially under the regency of Emperor Xianwen's stepmother Empress Dowager Feng.

title: 471

text: Xian Wen Di, Retired Emperor of Northern Wei, is murdered by Empress Feng. She assumes regency over the young Xiao Wen Di.

title: 476

text: Emperor Xiaowen institutes an "equal-field" system of agriculture (juntian), assigning each peasant family about 19 acres (140 mu) of land. The land will be part minority divided by the farmer to be kept indefinitely and rest will revert to the state if the farmer dies or retires. The population is then divided by each other with the role of supervising one another. The result of this reform is that farmers mostly did not sell their holdings to large landowners. This provided the fiscal basis for the formation of the Sui and Tang dynasties.

title: 485

text: Emperor Xiao Wen Di starts adopting a sinicization policy as well as various reforms. He marries Feng Qing, who becomes empress of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

title: 493

text: Emperor Xiao Wen Di moves the capital of Northern Wei from Datong to Luoyang. He makes Chinese the official language of his court, and orders his nobility to adopt Chinese names.

title: 494

text: Emperor Xiao Wen Di of Northern Wei builds the Shaolin Monastery in Henan for the monk Batuo (for alternate founding date see 477 or 497).

title: 495

text: Emperor Xiao Wen Di of Northern Wei starts the Sinicization process, by changing his clan name to the Han Chinese surname Yuan.

title: 496

text: Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei fought several battles

title: 497

date: April 26

text: April 26 – Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei dies of starvation in his capital at Luoyang, after a 27-year reign in which he has Sinicized his tribal relatives (Tuoba clan), created a Chinese-style government and instituted a land-reform program.

title: 499

text: April 26 – Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei, emperor of Northern Wei (b. 467)

title: 499


slug: emperor-xuanzong-of-tang

label: Emperor Xuanzong of Tang

description: 7th emperor of the Tang dynasty, reigning from 713 to 756 CE

date: September 8

text: September 8 – Xuan Zong, emperor of the Tang dynasty (d. 762)

title: 685

date: July 3

text: July 3 – Zhong Zong is assassinated, allegedly poisoned by Empress Wei, who fails to install her daughter Li Guo'er as heir to the throne. Princess Taiping and her nephew Li Longji launch a coup, and restore Rui Zong as emperor.

title: 710

text: September 8 – Emperor Rui Zong abdicates after a brief reign, in favor of his 27-year-old son Xuan Zong, who ascends the imperial throne of the Tang dynasty (China).

title: 712

text: Emperor Xuan Zong forbids all commercial vendors and shops in the Chinese capital city of Chang'an to copy and sell Buddhist sutras, so that the emperor can give the clergy of the Buddhist monasteries the sole right to distribute written sutras to the laity.

title: 714

text: Yang Guifei, concubine of Xuan Zong (d. 756)

title: 719

text: Emperor Xuan Zong has four palace walls in the northeast sector of the capital city Chang'an dismantled and reassembled to construct a new Daoist abbey, the grounds of which are formally a large garden for the Bureau of Agriculture.

title: 730

text: Bilge Qaghan, khagan of the Second Turkic Khaganate, is poisoned and killed by Buyruk Chor, an emissary once sent to Tang Emperor Xuanzong. He is succeeded by his son Yollıg.

title: 734

text: Emperor Xuan Zong discards the policy of conscripting men into the Chinese army to be replaced every three years, replacing them with long-service soldiers who are more battle-hardened and efficient (approximate date).

title: AD 737

text: Emperor Xuan Zong begins to favor Taoism over Buddhism, adopting the new reign title Tianbao ("Heavenly Treasures"), to indicate his divine mandate. The total number of enlisted troops in the Tang armies has risen to about half a million, due to Xuan Zongs's earlier military reforms.

title: 742

text: China has accomplishments in poetry, painting and printing, but its monarchical system tends toward failure. Emperor Xuan Zong has fallen under the spell of his son's wife Yang Guifei (one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China), a Taoist priestess. He is ignoring the economy and the Tang dynasty is declining.

title: 745

text: Emperor Xuan Zong abolishes the death penalty in China, during the Tang dynasty (approximate date).

title: AD 747

date: December 16

text: December 16 – General An Lushan begins the Anshi Rebellion against Emperor Xuan Zong of the Tang Dynasty (China). His army surges down from Fanyang (near modern Beijing), and moves rapidly along the Grand Canal. Meanwhile, Xuan Zong sends Feng Changqing, governor of Fanyang, to build up defenses at the eastern capital of Luoyang.

title: 755

date: July 15

text: July 15 – Yang Guifei, consort of Xuan Zong (b. 719)

title: 756

date: May

text: May – Emperor Xuan Zong hires 4,000 Muslim mercenaries to help defend Chang'an against the rebels. Loyalist forces take defensible positions in the mountain passes, but chancellor Yang Guozhong gives orders for them to leave their posts.

title: 756

section: Events › By place › Chinese Empire

date: December 8

text: December 8 – Du Fu, Chinese poet, returns to Chang'an as a member of Emperor Xuan Zong's court, after having escaped the city during the An Lushan Rebellion.

title: AD 757

text: Former emperor Xuanzong is placed under house arrest by the eunuch official Li Fuguo, with the support of Xuanzong's son, Suzong. Li Fuguo is appointed commander of the Imperial Guards, possessing nearly absolute power during Suzong's reign.

title: 760

text: Xuan Zong, emperor of Tang dynasty (b. 685)

title: 762

date: July 27

text: July 27 – Xuān Zong, emperor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 859)

title: 810

date: April 22

text: April 22 – Emperor Wu Zong (Li Chan) dies after a 6-year reign. He is succeeded by his uncle Xuān Zong, as Chinese ruler of the Tang Dynasty.

title: 846

date: September 7

text: September 7 – Xuān Zong, emperor of the Tang dynasty (b. 810)

title: 859

text: September 7 – Emperor Xuān Zong (Li Yi) dies after a 13-year reign. He is succeeded by his eldest son Yi Zong, as ruler of the Tang dynasty.

title: 859


slug: emperor-yang-of-sui

label: Emperor Yang of Sui

description: emperor of the Sui Dynasty

text: Yángdi, emperor of the Sui dynasty (d. 618)

title: 569

text: August 13 – Emperor Wéndi dies, age 63, presumably assassinated by his son Yángdi, after a 23-year reign in which he has attacked hereditary privilege and reduced the power of the military aristocracy. He is succeeded by Yángdi, who becomes the second emperor of the Sui dynasty.

title: 604

text: Emperor Yángdi orders the capital to be transferred from Chang'an to Luoyang. He begins the construction of the Grand Canal, that will link existing waterways to the new Chinese capital; it will be built by a million laborers.

title: 605

date: August 1

text: August 1 – Empress Suiko appoints Ono no Imoko as official envoy to the Sui Court (Japanese missions to Imperial China). She sends him to pay tribute to Emperor Yángdi, and let him deliver the famous letter from prince-regent Shōtoku which begins: "The Son of Heaven where the sun rises (Japan), to the Son of Heaven where the sun sets (China), may good health be with you." (Traditional Japanese date: July 3, 607).

title: 607

text: Sui dynasty Emperor Yang of Sui expresses the desire to control routes to the West, leading to two and a half centuries of Chinese military and trading activities in Central Asia.

title: 608

text: Emperor Yángdi completes the Grand Canal; it provides an unbroken inland ship transport between the Yellow and Yangtze rivers. The canal network is 1,776 km (1,400 miles) long—linking five river systems—and extends from Beijing to the city of Hangzhou.

title: 609

text: Goguryeo–Sui War: Emperor Yángdi invades Goguryeo (Korea) with an expeditionary force of over one million men, named the "24 Armies".

title: 612

text: Goguryeo–Sui War: Emperor Yángdi crosses the Liao River again, and puts Manchuria under siege. During the campaign Yang Xuangan, an official of the Sui dynasty, starts a rebellion near Luoyang. Fearing attacks from two fronts, Yáng is forced to retreat his army.

title: 613

text: Winter – Li Yuan demotes Sui emperor Yángdi to the status of Taishang Huang (retired emperor), and declares Yang You emperor, while he gives himself authority over the western Sui commanderies (prefecture), under the title of "Prince of Tang".

title: 617

date: April 11

text: April 11 – Emperor Yang of Sui, emperor of the Sui dynasty (b. 569)

title: 618

date: June 18

text: June 18 – The Sui dynasty ends: Rebel leader Li Yuan captures Luoyang, and has Emperor Yángdi murdered. He proclaims himself emperor Gao Zu and establishes the Tang dynasty, one of the most notable dynasties in Chinese history, which will last for almost 300 years.

title: 618


slug: emperor-yingzong-of-ming

label: Emperor Yingzong of Ming

description: emperor of the Ming Dynasty

date: February 20

text: February 20 – Zhu Qizhen, son of China's Emperor Xuanzong of Ming, is named as the Crown Prince of Ming dynasty China by his father. He will become the Emperor Yingzong of Ming in 1435.

title: 1428

section: Events › January–March

date: March 8

text: March 8 – Prince Zhu Qiyu, who will become the Emperor of China in 1449, is appointed as the Prince of Cheng in the name of the Emperor Yingzong of Ming.

title: 1435

text: In Ming dynasty China, the inauguration of the Zhengtong-era Emperor Yingzong of Ming takes place.

title: 1436

section: Events › Date unknown

text: December 8 – In Ming dynasty China, the Emperor Yingzong gives the order to his General, Mu Sheng, to go to war against the state of the Dai people (on the border with the Burmese Kingdom of Ava)and their ruler, King Möng Mao.

title: 1438

section: Events › October–December

date: June 8

text: June 8 – In China, Qian marries the 14-year-old Emperor Yingzong of Ming and becomes the primary Empress Consort.

title: 1442

section: Events › April–June

date: November 18

text: November 18 – A few days before his 15th birthday, Emperor Yingzong of Ming assumes full control of the Empire of China, two days before the death of his grandmother and regent Empress Dowager Chengxiaozhao.

title: 1442

date: July 20

text: July 20 – News arrives at the imperial court of the Emperor Yingzong of China of a Mongol invasion from the north, led by the Khagan Esen Taishi. Yingzong orders the dispatch of 45,000 soldiers from the Beijing garrison, led by four generals, to advance to Datong and Xuanfu to guard the border.

title: 1449

section: Events › July–September

date: September 19

text: September 19 – China's Emperor Yingzong returns to Beijing after having been held as a prisoner of war by the Mongols since September 1, 1449. Upon returning, he is held under house arrest in the Forbidden City along with his wife, the Empress Qian, on orders of his younger brother Emperor Daizong.

title: 1450

date: May 20

text: May 20 – China's Emperor Daizhong, brother of the former emperor Yingzong, designates his son as the new heir to the throne, demoting Daizhong's son Zhu Jianshen and placing his own son, Zhu Janji, as next in line for the throne.

title: 1452

date: February 11

text: February 11 – In Ming dynasty China, the Emperor Yingzong of Ming is returned to the throne by General Cao Jixiang and other officers who had staged a coup d'etat and overthrown his brother, the Emperor Daizong. Yingzong, whose first reign was the Zhengtong era, proclaims the Tianshun era.

title: 1457

date: March 1

text: March 1 – Prince Zhu Jianshen is designated as the heir to the Chinese throne by his father, the Emperor Yingzong.

title: 1457

date: February 23

text: February 23 – Prince Zhu Jianshen becomes the new Ming dynasty Emperor of China, taking the regnal name Emperor Xianzong upon the death of his father, the Emperor Yingzong of Ming. His reign is subsequently designated as the Chenghua Era.

title: 1464


slug: emperor-zhaozong-of-tang

label: Emperor Zhaozong of Tang

description: final emperor of the Tang dynasty of China (r. 888-904)

text: Zhao Zong, emperor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 904)

title: 867

date: April 20

text: April 20 – Emperor Xi Zong (Li Xuan) dies of illness at Chang'an, after a 14-year reign. He is succeeded by his 21-year-old brother Zhao Zong, as ruler of the Tang Dynasty.

title: AD 888

section: Conflict & Security

text: In March or April 890, the ambitious warlord Zhu Quanzhong (later called Zhu Wen) faced a mutiny at Suzhou and was unable to retake the city. He pressured Emperor Zhaozong of Tang China to launch a campaign against his primary rival, Li Keyong. By winter 890, Zhu strategically shifted his focus northward, giving up his claim to the Huainan Circuit after failing to take it.

title: 890

text: Emperor Zhao Zong appoints Li Keyong, a Shatuo military governor (jiedushi), as Prince of Jin. He becomes the first ruler of Jin (see 907) following the collapse of the Tang dynasty.

title: 896

date: December 1

text: December 1 – Emperor Zhao Zong is deposed and forced by a group of Tang eunuchs led by Liu Jishu to abdicate the throne to his son, Crown Prince Li Yu (until 901).

title: 900

date: January 24

text: January 24 – Emperor Zhao Zong of the Tang Dynasty (after he is briefly deposed by general Liu Jishu) is restored to the Chinese throne. Liu, with four eunuch family members are killed.

title: 901

text: Spring – Emperor Zhao Zong appoints Yang Xingmi as the overall commander of the Eastern circuits in China. He receives the title of Prince Wuzhong of Wu.

title: 902

date: September 22

text: September 22 – The warlord Zhu Quanzhong kills Emperor Zhao Zong, along with his family and many ministers, after seizing control of the imperial government. Zhu places Zhao Zong's 13-year-old son Ai (Li Zhou) on the imperial throne as a puppet ruler of the Tang dynasty.

title: 904

text: September 22 – Zhao Zong, emperor of the Tang dynasty (b. 867)

title: 904

date: January 22

text: January 22 – The warlord Zhu Quanzhong secretly puts Empress Dowager He, the wife of the late Emperor Zhaozong and mother of the reigning Emperor Ai, to death (by strangulation) and has her defamed and posthumously demoted to commoner rank.

title: 906


slug: empire-of-brazil

label: Empire of Brazil

description: empire in South America between 1822 and 1889

date: August 25

text: August 25 – Uruguay is declared independent of the Empire of Brazil by the Thirty-Three Orientals, a militant revolutionary group led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja.

title: 1825

date: October

text: October–December – Dispute between the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata and the Empire of Brazil over the Banda Oriental region leads to the Cisplatine War.

title: 1825

date: August 27

text: August 27 – In South America, the Empire of Brazil and United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (modern-day Argentina) recognize the independence of Uruguay, causing the end of the Cisplatine War. Simón Bolívar declares himself dictator of Gran Colombia.

title: 1828

date: October 4

text: October 4 – Uruguay gains independence from Brazil.

title: 1828

date: August 12

text: August 12 – In the Empire of Brazil, the Additional Act provides for establishment of the Provincial Legislative Assembly, extinction of the State Council, replacement of the Regency Trina, and introduction of a direct and secret ballot.

title: 1834

date: September 20

text: September 20 – The Ragamuffin War begins in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

title: 1835

date: July 23

text: July 23 – Pedro II is declared "of age" prematurely, and begins to reassert central control in Brazil.

title: 1840

date: March 16

text: March 16 – The city of Petrópolis is founded by the government of Brazil.

title: 1843

date: August 10

text: August 10 – An undeclared Uruguayan War begins, when Uruguay refuses an ultimatum from the Empire of Brazil.

title: 1864

section: Events › August

date: October 12

text: October 12 – Uruguayan War: Forces of the Empire of Brazil invade Uruguay, in support of Venancio Flores' Colorado Party.

title: 1864

section: Events › October

date: October 31

text: October 31 – The Quebra-Quilos Revolt starts in Paraíba, Empire of Brazil.

title: 1874

date: May 13

text: May 13 – In Brazil, the Lei Áurea abolishes the last remnants of slavery.

title: 1888

section: Events › May


slug: empire-of-japan

label: Empire of Japan

description: empire in the Asia-Pacific region from 1868 to 1947

date: August 1

text: August 1 – War is declared between the Qing Empire of China and the Empire of Japan over their rival claims of influence on their common ally, the Joseon dynasty of Korea. The event marks the start of the First Sino-Japanese War.

title: 1894

date: October 23

text: October 23 – The city of Tainan, last stronghold of the Republic of Formosa, capitulates to the forces of the Empire of Japan, ending the short-lived republic, and beginning the era of Taiwan under Japanese rule.

title: 1895

date: March 1

text: March 1 – The United Kingdom, Germany and Japan protest the Sino-Russian agreement on Manchuria.

title: 1901

section: Events › March

date: January 23

text: January 23 – Hakkōda Mountains incident: A snowstorm in the Hakkōda Mountains of northern Honshu, Japan, kills 199 during a military training exercise.

title: 1902

section: Events › January

date: September 5

text: September 5 – Russo-Japanese War: Treaty of Portsmouth – In New Hampshire, a treaty mediated by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt is signed by Japan and Russia. Russia cedes the island of Sakhalin together with port and rail rights in Manchuria to Japan.

title: 1905

section: Events › September

date: October 11

text: October 11 – A United States diplomatic crisis with Japan arises when the San Francisco public school board orders Japanese students to be taught in racially segregated schools (it is resolved by next year).

title: 1906

section: Events › September–October

date: July 24

text: July 24 – The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907 brings the government and military of the protectorate of Korea more firmly under Japanese control.

title: 1907

section: Events › July

section: Technology & Infrastructure

date: September 4

text: September 4 – Japan and China sign the Gando Convention, which gives Japan a way to receive railroad concessions in Manchuria.

title: 1909

date: August 22

text: August 22 – The Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910, by which the Empire of Japan formally annexes the Korean Empire, is signed (it becomes effectively void in 1945, which is formally recognised in 1965).

title: 1910

date: August 28

text: August 28 – Japan agrees to withdraw its troops from Siberia.

title: 1922

date: February 6

text: February 6 – The Five Power Naval Disarmament Treaty is signed between the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France and Italy. Japan returns some of its control over the Shandong Peninsula to China.

title: 1922

section: Events › February

date: December 27

text: December 27 – Toranomon Incident: In Tokyo, Crown Prince Hirohito of Japan survives an assassination attempt by communist student Daisuke Nanba.

title: 1923

section: Events › November–December

date: October 27

text: October 27 – Ratifications are exchanged in London on the first London Naval Treaty signed in April, modifying the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. Its arms limitation provisions go into effect immediately, hence putting more limits on the expensive naval arms race between its five signatories (the United Kingdom, the United States, the Empire of Japan, France and Italy.)

title: 1930

date: July 29

text: July 29 – The Vichy Regime signs the Protocol Concerning Joint Defense and Joint Military Cooperation with the Empire of Japan, giving the Japanese a total of 8 airfields, allowing them greater troop presence, and the use of the Indochinese financial system, in return for continued French autonomy.

title: 1941

section: Exploration & Expansion

date: March

text: Japanese spy Takeo Yoshikawa arrives in Honolulu to study the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, in preparation for a future attack.

title: 1941

date: November

text: The Hull note (Outline of Proposed Basis for Agreement Between the United States and Japan), named for Secretary of State Cordell Hull, is delivered to the Empire of Japan by the United States.

title: 1941

section: Events › November

text: The Burma Railway is completed between Bangkok, Thailand and Rangoon, Burma (modern-day Myanmar) (415 km mi) by the Empire of Japan, to support its forces in the Burma campaign, using the forced labour of Asian civilians and Allied Prisoners of war.

title: 1943

date: March 11

text: March 11 – The Empire of Japan establishes the Empire of Vietnam, a puppet state which will last only until August 23, with Bảo Đại as its ruler.

title: 1945


slug: empire-of-nicaea

label: Empire of Nicaea

description: successor state of the Byzantine Empire when the crusaders conquered Constantinople at Fourth Crusade of 1204

section: Births

text: Theodore I, emperor of Nicaea (d. 1221)

title: 1175

text: John III (Doukas Vatatzes), emperor of Nicaea (d. 1254)

title: 1193

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: Theodore I Laskaris flees to Nicaea after the capture of Constantinople, and establishes the Empire of Nicaea; Byzantine successor states are also established in Epirus and Trebizond.

title: 1204

section: Events

text: Spring – Theodore I Laskaris is proclaimed Byzantine emperor (or basileus), formally founding the Empire of Nicaea, after repelling the invasions of rivals David Komnenos and Manuel Maurozomes into his domains. His appointment is an open challenge to the legitimacy of the Latin emperor Baldwin I, who rules over large parts of the former Byzantine Empire and regards Theodore as a usurper.

title: 1205

section: Events › By place › Byzantine Empire

section: Deaths

text: November – Theodore I Laskaris, emperor of Nicaea (b. 1175)

title: 1221

section: Religion & Belief

date: January 4

text: January 4 – Germanus II takes office as Patriarch of Constantinople, leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, after moving the patriarchate's capital 56 mi from Constantinople (now Istanbul) to Nicaea (now Iznik in Turkey), as the guest of John III Doukas Vatatzes, Emperor of Nicaea.

title: 1223

section: Events › January–March

text: Elena of Bulgaria, empress of Nicaea (d. 1258)

title: 1224

text: Anna of Hohenstaufen, empress of Nicaea (d. 1307)

title: 1230

text: November – Michael II Asen, ruler (tsar) of the Bulgarian Empire, succeeds his brother Kaliman I (possibly poisoned). He confirms the reconquest of Bulgarian territories against John III (Doukas Vatatzes), Byzantine ruler of the Empire of Nicaea.

title: 1246

section: Events › By place › Europe

date: December 25

text: December 25 – John IV Doukas Laskaris, emperor of Nicaea (d. 1305)

title: 1250

text: Emperor Theodore II Laskaris, who is in exile in the Empire of Nicaea, conducts a military campaign to recover Thrace from the Bulgarians.

title: 1255

text: Spring – The Epirote–Nicaean conflict (1257–59) begins between the Despotate of Epirus and the Empire of Nicaea. Despot Michael II Komnenos Doukas revolts and defeats the Nicaean army under George Akropolites. The Epirote and Serbian forces join their attacks against Michael, who sends his forces into Macedonia and marches on to Thessalonica. In response, Michael is attacked – on the west coast of Epirus – by Manfred of Sicily. Manfred first occupies the major Ionian Islands, including Corfu. Then he lands on the Albanian coast and takes Durazzo, Berat, Valona and their environs.

title: 1257

date: August 16

text: August 16 – Theodore II Laskaris dies after a 4-year reign at Magnesia. He is succeeded by his 7-year-old son, John IV, as ruler of the Empire of Nicaea. His regent becomes the bureaucrat George Mouzalon.

title: 1258

date: September

text: September – Epirote–Nicaean conflict, Battle of Pelagonia: The Empire of Nicaea defeats the Principality of Achaea, ensuring the eventual reconquest of Constantinople in 1261.

title: 1259

date: March 13

text: March 13 – Treaty of Nymphaeum: Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos signs a trade and defense agreement with the Republic of Genoa, to counterweight the Venetian presence in the region. Genoa agrees to ally with the Empire of Nicaea, by providing a fleet of up to 50 galleys during the projected Nicaean siege of Constantinople, while 16 galleys are to be immediately sent against the Latin Empire.

title: 1261


slug: empire-of-trebizond

label: Empire of Trebizond

description: Byzantine Greek state on Black Sea coast

text: Alexios I (Megas Komnenos), emperor of Trebizond (d. 1222)

title: 1182

title: 1204

section: Conflict & Security

date: November 1

text: November 1 – Siege of Sinope: The Seljuk Turks under Sultan Kaykaus I capture the strategic Black Sea port city of Sinope – at the time held by the Empire of Trebizond (one of the Byzantine successor states formed after the Fourth Crusade). Emperor Alexios I of Trebizond leads an army to break the siege, but he is defeated and captured. His capture forces the Byzantines to accept tributary status to Kaykaus.

title: 1214

date: February 1

text: February 1 – Alexios Megas Komnenos, first Emperor of Trebizond

title: 1222

text: Andronikos I Gidos, Emperor of Trebizond

title: 1235

date: June 26

text: June 26 – Battle of Köse Dağ: The Mongols under Baiju Noyan defeat the Seljuk Turks of the Sultanate of Rum and their Byzantine allies. The Seljuks and the Empire of Trebizond become vassals of the Mongols.

title: 1243

section: Events › By place › Mongol Empire

date: October

text: October – Mongol forces led by Baiju Noyan (operating under Hulagu Khan's command) win a victory over Kaykaus II, Seljuk ruler of the Sultanate of Rum, and capture Anatolia. Kaykaus flees to the Byzantine court where he seeks refuge at Constantinople. The Empire of Trebizond fearing a potential punitive Mongol expedition, becomes a vassal state and is forced to pay a tribute tax every year in gold and silk.

title: 1256

text: John II (Megas Komnenos), emperor of Trebizond (d. 1297)

title: 1262

text: Manuel I (Megas Komnenos), emperor of Trebizond

title: 1263

text: Alexios II ("Megas Komnenos"), emperor of Trebizond (d. 1330)

title: 1282

text: August 16 – John II, Byzantine emperor of Trebizond (b. 1262)

title: 1297

text: John III of Trebizond ("Megas Komnenos"), Emperor of Trebizond (d. 1362)

title: 1321

date: May 3

text: May 3 – Alexios II Megas Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond (b. 1282)

title: 1330

date: January 8

text: January 8 – Andronikos III Megas Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond

title: 1332

date: April 6

text: April 6 – Emperor Basil Megas Komnenos of Trebizond

title: 1340

text: September 4 – John III of Trebizond (John III Comnenus) becomes emperor of Trebizond.

title: 1342

section: Events › January–December

text: September 4 – Anna Anachoutlou, Empress of Trebizond

title: 1342

date: March 20

text: March 20 – Manuel III succeeds his father, Alexios III, as Emperor of Trebizond (now north eastern Turkey).

title: 1390

text: March 20 – Alexios III Megas Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond (b. 1338)

title: 1390

date: March 5

text: March 5 – Manuel III Megas Komnenos, Emperor of Trebizond (b. 1364)

title: 1417

text: March 5 – Alexios IV becomes the new Emperor of Trebizond (located in what is now Turkey along the Black Sea) upon the death of his father, Manuel III.

title: 1417

text: October – Alexios IV Megas Komnenos, Empire of Trebizond (b. 1382)

title: 1429

date: September 14

text: September 14 – The siege of Trebizond, the capital of the Empire of Trebizond, is started by the Ottoman Empire. Franz Babinger, "La date de la prise de Trébizonde par les Turcs (1461)", Revue des études byzantines, 7 (1949), pp.

title: 1460

section: Events › July–September

date: August 15

text: August 15 – The Empire of Trebizond, the last major Romano-Greek outpost, falls to the Ottoman Empire under Mehmed II, after a 21-day siege.

title: 1461


slug: empress-kogyoku

label: Empress Kōgyoku

description: Empress of Japan

text: Kōgyoku, empress of Japan (d. 661)

title: 594

section: Culture & Society

text: Empress Kōgyoku ascends to the throne of Japan, after her husband (and uncle) Emperor Jomei's death in 641.

title: 642

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: Zenkoji, a Buddhist temple and landmark spot in Nagano, Japan, is officially built by Empress Kogyoku.

title: 644

text: Empress Kōgyoku is forced to abdicate the throne in favor of her younger brother Kōtoku, age 49, who becomes the 36th emperor of Japan.

title: 645

section: Events › By place › Japan

date: November 24

text: November 24 – Emperor Kōtoku dies after a 9-year reign; Kōgyoku (his elder sister) is restored on the throne under the name Saimei.

title: 654

text: Empress Kōgyoku re-ascends to the throne of Japan, beginning a new reign as Saimei-tennō.

title: 655

section: Technology & Infrastructure

text: Empress Saimei of Japan builds a new palace at Asuka (Nara Prefecture), because her former residence caught fire. This construction is called the "Mad Canal" by the people of that day, wasting the labor of tens of thousand workers and a large amount of money.

title: 656

date: July 24

text: July 24 – Kōgyoku (also Saimei), twice empress of Japan (b. 594)

title: 661


slug: empress-matilda

label: Empress Matilda

description: Holy Roman Empress (1114–1125); claimant to the English throne

date: February 7

text: February 7 – Matilda, Holy Roman Empress (d. 1167)

title: 1102

date: August 5

text: August 5 – Matilda of Scotland, queen of England as wife of Henry I, gives birth to their first son William Adelin at Winchester. They already have a daughter, Princess Matilda.

title: 1103

section: Events › By place › Britain

date: July 25

text: July 25 – Henry V marries 8-year-old Matilda (daughter of King Henry I of England). She is crowned Queen of the Romans in a ceremony at Mainz. After the betrothal Matilda is placed into custody of Bruno, archbishop of Trier, who is tasked with educating her in German culture, manners and government.

title: 1110

date: January 7

text: January 7 – Emperor Henry V marries Matilda (or Maude), 11-year-old daughter of King Henry I of England, at Worms (modern Germany). A political conflict breaks out across the Holy Roman Empire after the marriage, triggered when Henry arrests Chancellor Adalbert and various other German princes.

title: 1114

text: King Henry I of England arranges the marriage of his daughter Matilda (the widow of Emperor Henry V) to the 14-year-old Geoffrey of Anjou (son of Count Fulk V). This is done to ensure an alliance between England and Anjou, and to prevent Fulk allying with Louis VI. Henry has the English nobles swear allegiance to Matilda as the rightful heir to the throne. Upon his death, her cousin Stephen of Blois crosses the channel and usurps her throne, becoming the King of England. She wages a lengthy civil war known as the Anarchy, which lasts from 1135–1154.

title: 1127

section: Events › By place › England

date: June 17

text: June 17 – King Henry I of England marries his only legitimate daughter, dowager Empress Matilda, to the 14-year-old Geoffrey Plantagenet ("the Fair"), count of Anjou, at Le Mans.

title: 1128

date: December 1

text: December 1 – King Henry I dies at Lyons-la-Forêt in Normandy after a 35-year reign. He is succeeded by his nephew Stephen of Blois (grandson of William the Conqueror), who asserts his claim to the throne in opposition to claims by Henry's daughter Matilda (prolonged in a civil war known as The Anarchy).

title: 1135

date: February 5

text: February 5 – Treaty of Durham: A peace treaty is signed by Stephen and David I. The Scots are allowed to keep Carlisle and a part of Cumberland in return for stopping their advance. David refuses an oath of allegiance, as his loyalties rest with Matilda (daughter of the late King Henry I).

title: 1136

text: Spring – King Stephen sails to Normandy to confront Geoffrey V (the Fair) and the Angevins, who are attacking the southern areas of Normandy. Although Stephen has some success, he is not able to recapture Normandy from Matilda, daughter and heiress of the late King Henry I.

title: 1137

date: August 22

text: August 22 – Battle of the Standard: King David I of Scotland gives his full support to Matilda (daughter of the late King Henry I), and invades the north of England – travelling as far south as Lincolnshire. The Scottish army (some 15,000 men) is defeated by English forces under Earl William le Gros in Yorkshire. David retreats to Carlisle and reassembles an army.

title: 1138

text: Summer – King Stephen appoints Geoffrey de Mandeville as Earl of Essex for his support during the civil war against Matilda (Stephen's cousin).

title: 1140

section: Events › By place › England and Scotland

date: February 2

text: February 2 – The Anarchy in the Kingdom of England – Battle of Lincoln: Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester and Empress Matilda wrest control of the throne of England from King Stephen, who is captured and imprisoned.

title: 1141

section: Crime & Justice

text: Autumn – The 9-year-old Henry of Anjou, a son of Empress Matilda, lands on the south coast of England with his uncle, Earl Robert of Gloucester and several knights. Henry travels to Bristol, centre of Angevin opposition to King Stephen, where he is educated by Master Matthew. Meanwhile, Robert captures Lulworth Castle, Rufus Castle ("Bow and Arrow Castle") on the Isle of Portland and Wareham Castle.

title: 1142

text: October – Queen Matilda returns to Normandy, partially due to her difficulties with the Catholic Church. Without the support of Robert of Gloucester her personal fight for the English throne is over.

title: 1148

date: March

text: March – The 16-year-old Henry of Anjou, eldest son of Queen Matilda, lands in England in a second attempt to take the English throne from Stephen. He travels up via Salisbury and Gloucester north to Carlisle (Scotland).

title: 1149

text: Spring – The 19-year-old Henry II of England lands with a Norman fleet (some 40 ships) on the south coast of England. He defeats King Stephen (a cousin of his mother, Queen Matilda) with a small army at Malmesbury. Henry travels north through the Midlands, while a temporary truce is accepted. Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester, announces his support for the cause. Hoping to dethrone Stephen and replace him with Matilda.

title: 1153


slug: empress-shoshi

label: Empress Shōshi

description: daughter of Michinaga; empress consort of Ichijō

section: Births

text: Shōshi, empress consort of Japan (d. 1074)

title: 988

date: February 9

text: February 9 – The Mogi Ceremony of Fujiwara no Shoshi is held (she later becomes empress).

title: AD 999

text: 70th birthday and longevity ceremony of Fujiwara no Bokushi (mother-in-law of Fujiwara no Michinaga, grandmother of Empress Shōshi).

title: 1001

date: December

text: December – Fujiwara no Kenshi, the future empress consort, enters the palace as lady-in-waiting to her sister, Empress Shōshi.

title: 1004

date: January 29

text: January 29 – Ranking ceremony of Murasaki Shikibu – as a renowned writer and lady-in-waiting, tutor of Empress Shōshi, she is elevated to the highest position in the palace below the empress.

title: 1007

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: Emperor Ichijō wants to retire – the influential statesman Fujiwara no Michinaga supports Crown Prince Okisada (now his son-in-law), who will be the successor, but the emperor prefers his eldest son by the late Empress Teishi, Prince Atsuyasu, who has been raised by Empress Shōshi, who also supports her stepson, leading to conflict at court.

title: 1010

text: Japanese waka poet Daini no Sanmi, lady-in-waiting to dowager Grand Empress Shōshi, is married to Fujiwara no Kanetaka.

title: 1024

date: October 25

text: October 25 – Shōshi, empress of Japan (b. 988)

title: 1074


slug: empress-suiko

label: Empress Suiko

description: Empress of Japan from 592 to 628

text: Suiko, empress of Japan (d. 628)

title: 554

date: December 8

text: December 8 – Emperor Sushun of Japan is murdered after 5 years on the throne by agents of his rival Umako Soga, who is jealous of the emperor's power. He is succeeded by Suiko, widow of the late emperor Bidatsu.

title: 592

text: Empress Suiko begins a long reign during a pivotal period, in which Buddhism influences the development and culture of Japan. She is the first female ruler and the first to receive official recognition from China.

title: 593

text: Empress Suiko issues the "Flourishing Three Treasures Edict", officially recognizing the practice of Buddhism in Japan. She begins diplomatic relations with the Sui dynasty (China).

title: 594

text: Prince Shotoku, imperial regent of Empress Suiko, issues a Seventeen-article constitution, based on both Confucian and Buddhist principles in Japan.

title: 604

date: August 1

text: August 1 – Empress Suiko appoints Ono no Imoko as official envoy to the Sui Court (Japanese missions to Imperial China). She sends him to pay tribute to Emperor Yángdi, and let him deliver the famous letter from prince-regent Shōtoku which begins: "The Son of Heaven where the sun rises (Japan), to the Son of Heaven where the sun sets (China), may good health be with you." (Traditional Japanese date: July 3, 607).

title: 607

section: Deaths

date: April 15

text: April 15 – Suiko, empress of Japan

title: 628

text: Emperor Jomei succeeds his great aunt, empress Suiko, and ascends to the throne of Japan.

title: 629


slug: england-and-wales

label: England and Wales

description: legal and administrative jurisdiction within the United Kingdom

date: May 25

text: May 25 – The last hearth tax is collected in England and Wales.

title: 1689

section: Events › April–June

date: June 6

text: June 6 – The Parliament of Great Britain passes Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act "for the Better Preventing of Clandestine Marriage" in England and Wales. King George II adjourns Parliament the next day; the act comes into effect on March 25, 1754.

title: 1753

date: March 25

text: March 25 – The Clandestine Marriages Act 1753 comes into force in England and Wales, placing marriage in that jurisdiction on a statutory basis for the first time.

title: 1754

section: Events › January–March

section: Health & Medicine

date: March 10

text: March 10 – The first census is held in Great Britain. The population of England and Wales is determined to be 8.9 million, with London revealed to have 860,035 residents. 1.5 million people live in cities of 20,000 or more in England and Wales, accounting for 17% of the total English population.

title: 1801

date: July

text: July – The Public Health Act establishes Boards of Health across England and Wales, the nation's first public health law, giving cities broad authority to build modern sanitary systems.

title: 1848

section: Religion & Belief

date: September 29

text: September 29 – Papal bull Universalis Ecclesiae: The Catholic hierarchy is re-established in England and Wales, by Pope Pius IX and future Pope Pius X.

title: 1850

text: December 1 – Under the County and Borough Police Act, in any county or area of England and Wales where a police force has not already been established, the Justices of the Peace must from this date take steps to create one according to nationally defined standards.

title: 1856

section: Events › October–December

date: August 15

text: August 15 – Benjamin Disraeli's Second Reform Act enfranchises many men in cities for the first time, and adds 938,000 to an electorate of 1,057,000 in England and Wales.

title: 1867

section: Events › August

date: August 13

text: August 13 – The Local Government Act, effective from 1889, establishes county councils and county borough councils in England and Wales, redraws some county boundaries, and gives women the vote in local elections. It also declares that "bicycles, tricycles, velocipedes, and other similar machines" be carriages within the meaning of the Highway Acts (which remains the case), and requires that they give audible warning when overtaking "any cart or carriage, or any horse, mule, or other beast of burden, or any foot passenger", a rule abolished in 1930.

title: 1888

date: April 5

text: April 5 – Census in the United Kingdom: 15.6 million people live in cities of 20,000 or more in England and Wales, and cities of 20,000 or more account for 54% of the total English population.

title: 1891

section: Events › April

section: Economy & Finance

date: April 1

text: April 1 – Margaret Thatcher's new local government tax (the poll tax) is introduced in Scotland. It will be introduced in England and Wales the following year.

title: 1989