slug: cbs

label: CBS

description: American broadcast television and radio network

section: Technology & Infrastructure

date: September 18

text: September 18 – The Columbia Phonographic Broadcasting System (later known as CBS) is formed in the United States, and goes on the air with 47 radio stations.

title: 1927

section: Events › September

date: September 7

text: September 7 – CBS broadcasts a two-and-a-half hour memorial concert nationwide on radio in memory of George Gershwin, live from the Hollywood Bowl. Many celebrities appear, including Oscar Levant, Fred Astaire, Otto Klemperer, Lily Pons and members of the original cast of Porgy and Bess. The concert is recorded and released complete years later in what is excellent sound for its time, on CD. The Los Angeles Philharmonic is the featured orchestra.

title: 1937

date: September 12

text: September 12 – Hitler makes his much-anticipated closing address at Nuremberg, in which he vehemently attacks the Czech people and President Beneš. American news commentator H. V. Kaltenborn begins his famous marathon of broadcast bulletins over the CBS Radio Network, with a summation of Hitler's address.

title: 1938

date: November 8

text: November 8 – CBS television station W2XAB resumes test transmission, with an all-electronic system broadcast from the top of the Chrysler Building in New York City.

title: 1939

section: Events › November

section: Health & Medicine

date: January 23

text: January 23 – American critic and commentator Alexander Woollcott suffers an eventually fatal heart attack, during a regular broadcast of the CBS Radio round-table program People's Platform.

title: 1943

section: Events › January

date: November 14

text: November 14 – Leonard Bernstein, substituting at the last minute for ailing principal conductor Bruno Walter, directs the New York Philharmonic in its regular Sunday afternoon broadcast concert, over CBS Radio. The event receives front-page coverage in The New York Times the following day.

title: 1943

date: October 11

text: October 11 – The Federal Communications Commission in the United States issues the first license to broadcast television in color, to CBS (RCA will successfully dispute and block the license from taking effect, however).

title: 1950

section: Events › October

date: October 15

text: October 15 – On television, the situation comedy I Love Lucy airs its first episode on CBS in the U.S.

title: 1951

section: Culture & Society

date: June 7

text: June 7 – The television quiz program The $64,000 Question premieres on CBS-TV in the United States, with Hal March as the host.

title: 1955

section: Events › June

date: October

text: Captain Kangaroo debuts on CBS network in the United States.

title: 1955

date: October 2

text: October 2 – Alfred Hitchcock Presents debuts on the CBS TV network in the United States.

title: 1955

date: September 10

text: September 10 – The long-running Western television series Gunsmoke debuts, on the CBS network in the United States.

title: 1955

date: December 9

text: December 9 – A Charlie Brown Christmas, the first Peanuts television special, debuts on CBS in the United States. It becomes a Christmas tradition.

title: 1965

section: Events › November–December

date: December 18

text: December 18 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas, narrated by Boris Karloff, is shown for the first time on CBS in the United States. It becomes a Christmas tradition.

title: 1966

section: Events › December

date: September 17

text: September 17 – Jim Morrison and The Doors defy CBS censors on The Ed Sullivan Show, when Morrison sings the word "higher" from their #1 hit Light My Fire, despite having been asked not to.

title: 1967

date: September 13

text: September 13 – Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! premieres on CBS, starting the Scooby-Doo franchise.

title: 1969

date: January 12

text: January 12 – The landmark United States television sitcom All in the Family, starring Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker, debuts on CBS.

title: 1971

date: April 2

text: April 2 – Dallas debuts on CBS, and gives birth to the modern day primetime soap opera.

title: 1978

section: Events › April

date: February 18

text: February 18 – The 1979 Daytona 500 is televised on CBS, the first ever full airing of a 500-mile race on US television, Richard Petty wins after Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison battle for first place on the final lap and crash out, leading to a fist fight. This race brought NASCAR to a wider audience.

title: 1979

section: Events › February

date: February 28

text: February 28 – The final episode of the TV series M*A*S*H, entitled Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, airs on CBS, to a total audience of 121.6 million.

title: 1983

date: September 19

text: September 19 – Press Your Luck premieres on CBS.

title: 1983


slug: celtic-britons

label: Celtic Britons

description: ancient Celtic people who lived in Great Britain from the Iron Age through the Roman and Sub-Roman periods

year_label: 55 BCE

section: Conflict & Security

date: August 22

text: August 22 or August 26 – Julius Caesar commands his first invasions of Britain, likely a reconnaissance-in-force expedition, in response to the Britons giving military aid to his Gallic enemies. Caesar retreats back to Gaul when the majority of his force is prevented from landing by storms.

title: 55 BC

section: Events › By place › Britain

year_label: 43 CE

section: Exploration & Expansion

text: The Romans capture a Brythonic settlement at Kent and rename it Durovernum Cantiacorum (modern Canterbury); and establish a Roman fort to guard the crossing of the Kentish River Stour.

title: 40s

section: Timeline › AD 43

year_label: 44 CE

text: Boudicca marries Prasutagus, king of the British Celtic tribe the Iceni (doubtful).

title: 40s

section: Timeline › AD 44

year_label: 48 CE

text: Publius Ostorius Scapula, governor of Britain, announces his intention to disarm all Britons south and east of the Trent and Severn. The Iceni, an independent, allied kingdom within that area, revolt but are defeated. Ostorius then moves against the Deceangli in north Wales, but is forced to abandon the campaign to deal with a revolt among the allied Brigantes.

title: 40s

section: Timeline › AD 48

year_label: 60 CE

text: Boudica leads a rebellion of the Iceni against Roman rule in alliance with the Trinovantes, Cornovii, Durotriges and Celtic Britons. The Iceni and Trinovantes first destroy the Roman capital Camulodunum (Colchester), wipe out the infantry of the Legio IX Hispana (commanded by Quintus Petillius Cerialis) and go on to burn Londinium (London) (probably destroying London Bridge) and Verulamium (St Albans), in all cases massacring the inhabitants by the thousands.

title: AD 60

section: Events › By place › Roman Empire

year_label: 61 CE

text: Boudica leads a rebellion of the Iceni against Roman rule in alliance with the Trinovantes, Cornovii, Durotriges and Celtic Britons. The Iceni and Trinovantes first destroy the Roman capital Camulodunum (Colchester), wipe out the infantry of the Legio IX Hispana (commanded by Quintus Petillius Cerialis) and go on to burn Londinium (London) (probably destroying London Bridge) and Verulamium (St Albans), in all cases massacring the inhabitants in their thousands.

title: AD 61

year_label: 83 CE

text: Possible date of the Battle of Mons Graupius (AD 83 or 84): According to Tacitus, 10,000 Britons and 360 Romans are killed.

title: AD 83

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: In Britain, Clodius Albinus allies with Septimius Severus, and accepts the title of Caesar. British tribes take advantage of the disorder in the Empire, and damage Hadrian's Wall. Extensive repairs to the defence work is carried out by the legionaries.

title: AD 193

section: Deaths

text: Gratian, Roman usurper, is installed as emperor after the death of Marcus. According to Orosius, he is a native Briton of the urban aristocracy.

title: 407

section: Births

text: Erbin of Dumnonia, Brythonic king (approximate date)

title: 427

text: The Britons and Anglo-Saxon mercenaries, under King Vortigern, appeal to Flavius Aetius (magister militum of Gaul) for military assistance in their struggle against the Picts and Irish. Aetius has enough problems with Attila the Hun and is unable to send any help (according to Groans of the Britons).

title: 446

section: Events › By place › Europe

text: Battle of Aylesford: At a place named Agaelesthrep (often identified as Aylesford (Kent), Hengist fight the native Britons. His brother Horsa is killed and his son Oisc takes his place. According to the account preserved in Nennius, they were opposed by Vortimer.

title: 455

section: Events › By place › Britannia

text: The Anglo-Saxons call the British nobles to a peace conference at Stonehenge, but turn on them and massacre almost everyone (approximate date).

title: 456

text: According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 4,000 Britons are slain at Crecganford in battle against Hengist and his son Oisc of Kent.

title: 457

text: Vortigern, king of the Britons (approximate date)

title: 459

text: Battle of Wippedesfleot: The Saxons under command of Hengist and Aesc are defeated by the Britons near Ebbsfleet (Kent). During the battle 12 Welsh leaders are killed (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).

title: 465

text: Arthur, king of the Britons (approximate date according to legend)

title: 466

text: Aelle, first king of the South Saxons, lands on the Sussex coast of England with his three sons near Cymenshore, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The Britons engage him upon landing, but his superior force besieges them at Pevensey and drives them into the wood called Andredes leage. Over the next nine years, Saxon coastal holdings are gradually expanded.

title: 477

title: 480

text: Aelle of Sussex, king of the South Saxons, fights the Britons at the stream of Mercredesburne. The battle ends in a draw (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).

title: 485

text: Aelle of Sussex besieges and conquers the fortified town Anderitum in southern Britain. He massacres the population, apparently sub-Roman Brythons (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).

title: 491

text: King Cynric and his son Ceawlin of Wessex fight against the Britons at Beranburh, now identified as Barbury Castle (Wiltshire) in South West England.

title: 556

text: Battle of Bedcanford: The Anglo-Saxons under King Cuthwulf fight against the Britons, and conquer the settlements of Aylesbury, Benson, Eynsham and Limbury (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).

title: 571

text: The Anglo-Saxons under Ælla conquer Deira (Northern England) from the Britons. He becomes the first king of Deira (according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle).

title: 581

text: Battle of Fethanleigh: King Ceawlin of Wessex is defeated by the Britons. He ravages the surrounding countryside in revenge (approximate date).

title: 584

text: Siege of Lindisfarne: A Brythonic coalition lays siege to King Hussa of Bernicia at Lindisfarne Castle (Holy Island).

title: 590

text: Battle of Raith: An invading force of Angles lands on the Fife coast near Raith (Kirkcaldy) and defeats an alliance of Scots, Britons and Picts, under King Áedán mac Gabráin of Dál Riata (Scotland).

title: 596

text: Battle of Catraeth: The Gododdin under Mynyddog Mwynfawr, Brythonic king of Hen Ogledd ("The Old North"), defeat the Angles of Bernicia and Deira, at the stronghold of Catraeth in Northern England (approximate date).

title: 598

text: Taliesin, Brythonic poet (approximate date)

title: 599

text: The Britons of Strathclyde (Scotland), Wales, and Cornwall are all separated by the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

title: 600

text: Battle of Degsastan: King Æthelfrith of Northumbria defeats the combined forces of the Strathclyde Britons and Scots under Áedán mac Gabráin, establishing the supremacy of the Angles in the northern part of what will become known as the British Isles.

title: 603

text: Mungo, Brythonic bishop (or 614)

title: 603

text: Battle of Chester: King Æthelfrith of Northumbria invades Gwynedd (northwest Wales), in order to route out his old enemy, Edwin of Deira. A united Brythonic force (Gwynedd, Powys, Pengwern and Dumnonian warriors) is defeated near Chester.

title: 613

text: Battle of Bampton: King Cynegils of Wessex defeats the invading Britons in Dumnonia (modern Devon). They use the Roman road eastward from Exeter to Dorchester, and are intercepted by the West Saxons marching south.

title: 614

text: King Edwin of Northumbria invades and annexes the minor British kingdom of Elmet (approximate date).

title: 617

text: Battle of Heavenfield: Oswald, possibly accompanied by a force of Scots (or Picts), defeats and kills Cadwallon with a Welsh army near Hexham (northern England). He reunites Deira with Bernicia, and becomes king of Northumbria.

title: 634

date: August 5

text: August 5 – Battle of Maserfield: King Penda of Mercia defeats and kills King Oswald of Northumbria, age 38, at Oswestry (West Midlands). He commands a united British and Mercian force, which includes the Welsh army of Kings Cadafael Cadomedd of Gwynedd and Cynddylan of Pengwern. The Mercians become dominant in the English Midlands.

title: 642

text: Battle of Posbury: King Cenwalh of Wessex invades Dumnonia (south-west England). He is victorious over the native Briton tribes near Crediton in Devon, and drives them to the coast.

title: 661

text: The West Saxons, led by King Centwine, drive the Britons of Dumnonia (West Country) to the sea (possibly around Bideford).

title: 682

date: May 20

text: May 20 – Battle of Dun Nechtain: The Picts under King Bridei III revolt against their Northumbrian overlords. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, advises King Ecgfrith of Northumbria (Bridei's cousin) not to invade Pictland (modern Scotland). Undeterred, Ecgfrith marches his army north to engage the enemy near Dunnichen. The Picts, possibly with Scottish and Strathclyde Briton help, defeat the Saxon guard, killing Ecgfrith, who has reigned for 15 years, routing his army and forcing the Anglo-Saxons to withdraw south of the River Forth.

title: 685

text: Battle of Newanbirig: Kings Óengus I of the Picts and Eadberht of Northumbria attack King Dumnagual III of Strathclyde, at Dumbarton Castle (modern Scotland). However, Eadberht's entire force is subsequently wiped out, probably by the Britons.

title: 756

section: Religion & Belief

text: Nominoe, a noble Briton, is appointed by Louis I as count of Vannes in Brittany (approximate date).

title: 819

date: May 24

text: May 24 – Battle of Blain: Breton forces under Erispoe, count of Vannes, defeat the Franks led by Renaud d'Herbauges, near the town of Messac, at the River Vilaine. This battle marks a Breton war between Charles the Bald and Nominoe, duke of Brittany.

title: 843


slug: celts

label: Celts

description: Indo-European ethnolinguistic group of tribal societies in Iron Age Europe

year_label: 391 BCE

text: Quintus Fabius Ambustus and two other Fabii are sent as ambassadors by Rome to a wandering tribe of Celts (whom the Romans call Gauls), under Brennus, who are advancing down the Tiber while the Celtic army is besieging Clusium. After Quintus Fabius' group becomes involved in a skirmish with the Gauls and kill one of the Gauls' leaders, the offended Gauls demand that Rome surrender the Fabii members to them. The Romans refuse, so the Gauls advance on Rome.

title: 391 BC

section: Events › By place › Roman Republic

year_label: 310 BCE

section: Climate & Environment

text: The Autariatae disappear due to Celtic migrations.

title: 310 BC

section: Events › By place › Illyria

year_label: 236 BCE

text: Antiochus Hierax, supported by his mother Laodice I, allies himself with the Galatians (Celts) and two other states that are traditional foes of the Seleucid kingdom. With the aid of these forces, he inflicts a crushing defeat on his older brother Seleucus II's army at Ancyra in Anatolia. Seleucus leaves the country beyond the Taurus Mountains to his brother and the other powers of the peninsula.

title: 236 BC

section: Events › By place › Asia Minor

year_label: 230 BCE

text: The city of Pergamum is attacked by the Galatians (Celts who have settled in central Anatolia) because the leader of Pergamum, Attalus I Soter, has refused to pay them the customary tribute. Attalus crushes his enemy in a battle outside the walls of his city and to mark the success he takes the title of king and the name Soter.

title: 230 BC

year_label: 221 BCE

section: Crime & Justice

text: The Carthaginian general Hasdrubal is murdered by a Celtic assassin while campaigning to increase the Carthaginian hold on Spain. Following the assassination of Hasdrubal, Hannibal, the son of the Carthaginian general, Hamilcar Barca, is proclaimed commander-in-chief by the army and his appointment is confirmed by the Carthaginian government.

title: 221 BC

section: Events › By place › Iberian Peninsula

year_label: 194 BCE

text: The Battle of Mutina is fought between the Romans and the Boii (a Gallic tribe). The Romans are victorious in the battle which effectively ends the threat of the Gauls in Italy.

title: 194 BC

year_label: 147 BCE

text: In Lusitania, Hispania, the Celtic king Viriathus, rallies Lusitanian resistance to Rome.

title: 147 BC

text: Emperor Caracalla leaves Rome and expels some Germanic marauders from Gaul, while his mother, Julia Domna, rules the Empire. He defends the northern Rhine frontier against the Alamanni and the Chatti. Caracalla wins over the Germanic tribes on the banks of the River Main, and gives himself the title "Germanicus". It is probably while campaigning in Germania that he takes a liking to the caracalla, a Celtic or Germanic tunic from which he acquires the name by which he is known.

title: 213

text: Possible date for the Battle of Mons Badonicus: Romano-British and Celts defeat an Anglo-Saxon army, that may have been led by the bretwalda Aelle of Sussex or possibly Cerdic of Wessex (approximate date; suggested dates range from 490 to 517). This battle may have influenced the legend of King Arthur.

title: AD 500

section: Events › By place › Byzantine Empire

text: The Book of Kells (also known as the Book of Colomba), an illuminated manuscript, is completed by Celtic monks (approximate date).

title: 810

section: Events › By topic › Religion


slug: central-america

label: Central America

description: subregion of the Americas

text: c. 2250 BC: Earliest evidence of maize cultivation in Central America.

title: 23rd century BC

section: Events

year_label: 500 BCE

section: Health & Medicine

text: The world population reaches 100,000,000—85,000,000 in the Eastern Hemisphere and 15,000,000 in the Western Hemisphere, primarily Mesoamerica and northern South America (Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela).

title: 500 BC

section: Events › By topic › Demographics

text: Global environmental cooling occurs, due either to a comet impact or volcanic eruption in Central America, evidenced by global tree ring growth diminution. Recent evidence from Swiss ice core points to volcanic eruptions in Iceland. Historical evidence records this earlier as the Extreme weather events of 535–536.

title: 540

section: Events › By topic › World

section: Science & Discovery

date: May 1

text: 1 May – A solar eclipse affects areas along a line from Central America, through eastern North America, the North Atlantic, Ireland, Great Britain and Germany.

title: 664

section: Events › By place › North America & Europe

text: May 1 – The Solar eclipse of 1 May 1185, visible across Central America, Northern and Eastern Europe and Kazakhstan, occurs.

title: 1185

section: Events › By topic › Astronomy

section: Culture & Society

date: January 31

text: January 31 – Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, the oldest institution of higher education in Central America, is founded.

title: 1676

section: Events › January–March

date: December 8

text: December 8 – The Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Comayagua in Honduras, one of the oldest cathedrals in Central America, is inaugurated.

title: 1711

section: Events › October–December

section: Exploration & Expansion

date: May 3

text: May 3 – American adventurer William Walker and a group of armed mercenaries (filibusters) sail from San Francisco in California south to Central America to attempt to conquer Nicaragua.

title: 1855

section: Events › April–June

date: November 8

text: November 8 – Hurricane Gordon hits Central America, Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, Haiti and the Southeastern United States, causing $594 million in damages and 1,152 fatalities.

title: 1994

section: Events › November

date: May 26

text: May 26 – Costa Rica becomes the first Central American country to legalise same-sex marriage.

title: 2020

section: Events › May


slug: central-asia

label: Central Asia

description: subregion of the Asian continent

year_label: 75 CE

section: Conflict & Security

text: Revolt against the Chinese in Tarim: Cachera and Turpan are besieged. Luoyang orders the evacuation of Tarim. Ban Chao makes the rebels retreat towards Khotan. At the same time, the Chinese army of Ganzhou reconquers Turpan in Northern Xiongnu. Ban Chao convinces the emperor of the need to control Central Asia in the fight against Xiongnu.

title: AD 75

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: Caravans make regular departures from Luoyang with Chinese ginger, cassia (a type of cinnamon), and silk to be bartered in Central Asia for gold, silver, glassware, pottery, cloth, and intaglio gems from Rome.

title: AD 110

text: Chinese troops suffer a crushing defeat against a confederacy of Central Asian tribes, led by the Xianbei (see Wu Hu).

title: AD 177

text: In India, the decline of the Kushan Empire begins. The Sassanides take over Central Asia.

title: AD 178

text: The Huns of Central Asia begin their great drive westwards with an advance into Scythia (modern Ukraine). They overcome and absorb the Alans, a nomadic and warlike horse breeding people from the steppes northeast of the Black Sea.

title: 355

text: The Hephthalites threaten the Sasanian Empire from the East. They extend their domain in Central Asia (approximate date).

title: 543

section: Events › By place › Persia

section: Religion & Belief

text: Justinian I sends two Nestorian monks on a mission to Central Asia, to spread Christianity in the East (approximate date).

title: 550

text: Justinian I receives the first silkworm eggs from two Nestorian monks at Constantinople. They were sent to Central Asia (see 550) and smuggled the precious eggs from China hidden in rods of bamboo.

title: 552

text: The Rouran Khaganate ends; it is defeated by the Göktürks under Muqan Qaghan, who expands his rule in Central Asia.

title: 555

text: The Uyghurs are defeated by the Göktürks, who expand their territory in Central Asia (approximate date).

title: 565

text: Taspar Qaghan succeeds his brother Muqan Qaghan as ruler (khagan) of the Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia).

title: 572

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: Tardu succeeds his father Istämi, as governor (yabgu) of the Western Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia).

title: 575

text: Battle of Blarathon: A Persian army of about 40,000 men under King Bahrām VI is defeated, in the lowlands near Ganzak (northwestern Iran), by the Byzantines. Bahrām flees to seek refuge with the Turks in Central Asia, and settles in Fergana. However, after some time, he is murdered by a hired assassin of Khosrau II.

title: 591

text: Rebellious Göktürks depose and kill the ambitious ruler (khagan) Tardu, of the Western Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia).

title: 603

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

title: 629

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

title: 646

section: Events › By place › China

text: Xuanzang completes his book Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, which later becomes one of the primary sources for the study of medieval Central Asia and India.

title: 646

text: Arab invaders cross the Oxus River, in what later will be Uzbekistan. Nomadic Turkic tribes continue to control Central Asia.

title: 654

section: Events › By place › Arabian Caliphate

text: Chinese forces defeat the Western Turkic Kaganate (Central Asia). The West kaganate becomes a vassal of the Tang dynasty. During the power vacuum, Turgesh tribes emerge as the leading power (approximate date).

title: 658

text: Qapaghan Khan (694–716) succeeds his brother Illterish Khan, as ruler of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia).

title: 694

text: Qapaghan Qaghan conquers parts of Transoxiana (Central Asia).

title: 698

section: Deaths

date: February 23

text: February 23 – Caliph Al-Walid I dies at Damascus after a 10-year reign, and is succeeded by his brother Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik. During his rule the Umayyad Caliphate reaches its greatest height, with successful campaigns undertaken in Transoxiana (Central Asia), Sindh (Pakistan), Hispania and against the Byzantine Empire.

title: 715

section: Events › By place › Arabian Empire

text: Qapaghan Khan, ruler (khagan) of the Second Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia), is killed during a campaign against his rival Toquz Oghuz. His severed head is sent to Chang'an, capital of the Tang dynasty. Qapaghan is succeeded by his son Inel Khagan.

title: 716

section: Events › Byzantine Empire › Asia

text: Battle of the Defile: An Umayyad relief army (28,000 men) is sent to Samarkand (modern Uzbekistan), which is besieged by the Turgesh. The Muslims are ambushed near the Zarafshan Range, at the Tashtakaracha Pass. The battle results in a Pyrrhic victory, with heavy casualties for the Umayyad army, halting Muslim expansion in Central Asia for almost two decades.

title: 731

text: The Karluks defeat the Turgesh Khaganate in Central Asia. Most of Turkestan (former Onoq territory) falls under Karluk rule, except west of Lake Aral, where the loose confederation of the Oghuz Turks is about to emerge.

title: 766

text: The Magyars, an Ugric tribe from the steppe of Central Asia, move west under the leadership of Árpád. They are pushed by their rivals, the Pechenegs, into the Balkan Peninsula, and become entangled in a war between Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire. The Magyars head north and settle in Great Moravia.

title: 889

section: Events › By place › Europe

text: The Dari dialect (which will become the major language of Persia) is developed in the royal courts of the Samanid Empire in Central Asia.

title: 980

text: Alp Arslan, leader of the Seljuk Turks, campaigns against the Kipchaks and the Türkmen in Central Asia. He captures the city of Kars and plunders the western provinces of Georgia.

title: 1065

section: Events › By place › Seljuk Empire

text: Yelü Dashi captures Balasagun from the Kara-Khanid Khanate, marking the start of the Qara Khitai empire (and its Kangguo era) in Central Asia.

title: 1134

text: Spring – The Mongol army led by Subutai and Jochi cross the steppes of modern Kazakhstan, and returns to the horde of Genghis Khan on the Irtysh River. At a great kurultai or gathering of chiefs, Subutai reports on the Western campaign. Jochi submits to Genghis and his supposed 'insubordination' (see 1220) is forgiven. As a result of the Mongol invasion in 1219–1223, Kazakhstan and Central Asia become part of the Mongol Empire.

title: 1224

text: The Mongols under Batu Khan, eldest of Jochi, sweep across Central Asia. They settle in the Russian steppe, curtailing the power of the Kievan Rus', extracting tribute from their neighbors, and disrupting their relationship with the Byzantine Empire.

title: 1236

section: Events › By place › Mongol Empire

date: August 15

text: August 15 – Battle of Kōan (or Second Battle of Hakata Bay): A second Mongol invasion of Japan is foiled, as a large typhoon, famously called a kamikaze, or 'divine wind', destroys much of the combined Mongol and Chinese fleet and forces, numbering over 140,000 men and 4,000 ships. Later, Kublai Khan begins to gather forces to prepare for a third invasion attempt, but is distracted by events in Southeast and Central Asia.

title: 1281

text: Ambassadors from the Mongol rulers of Central Asia and the Yuan Dynasty announce to Toqta Khan, Mongol ruler of the Golden Horde, their general peace proposal. Toqta accepts the supremacy of Emperor Temür Khan and all yams (postal relays) and commercial networks across the Mongol khanates reopen. In response, Toqta solidifies his rule upon the Rus' princes, who pledge allegiance to him at an assembly in Pereyaslavl.

title: 1304

date: April 9

text: April 9 – Timur becomes first Amir of the Timurid Empire, following the Siege of Balkh which establishes his rule over the Chagatai Khanate, completing his conquest of Central Asia and parts of Persia.

title: 1370

date: May

text: May – The first case of the 1889–1890 pandemic of is reported in the city of Bukhara in the Central Asian part of the Russian Empire.

title: 1889

date: February

text: Deportation of the Chechens and Ingush ("Operation Lentil"): Forced deportation of Chechens and Ingush people from North Caucasus to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia by the Soviet authorities begins.

title: 1944

section: Events › February

date: April 28

text: April 28 – At least 55 people are killed and nearly 50,000 more are displaced in one of the most serious clashes in Central Asia following border disputes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

title: 2021

section: Events › April


slug: central-intelligence-agency

label: Central Intelligence Agency

description: national foreign intelligence agency of the United States

section: Crime & Justice

date: January 22

text: January 22 – The National Intelligence Authority, and its operational arm, the Central Intelligence Group, are established in the United States; these become part of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947.

title: 1946

section: Events › January

date: July 26

text: July 26 – Cold War: U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs the National Security Act of 1947 into law to create the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Council.

title: 1947

section: Events › July

section: Technology & Infrastructure

date: September

text: The National Security Act of 1947 becomes effective on this day, creating the United States Air Force, National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency.

title: 1947

section: Events › September

text: August 15–19 – Cold War: 1953 Iranian coup d'état – Overthrow of the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran, Mohammad Mosaddegh, by Iranian military in favour of strengthening the monarchical rule of the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, with the support of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (as "Operation Ajax") and the United Kingdom.

title: 1953

section: Events › August

section: Science & Discovery

date: January 14

text: January 14 – The CIA-sponsored Robertson Panel first meets to discuss the UFO phenomenon.

title: 1953

date: June 27

text: June 27 – Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz steps down in a CIA-sponsored military coup, triggering a bloody civil war that continues for more than 35 years.

title: 1954

section: Events › June

text: April 28 – A bomber flown by a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency operative in support of Indonesian Permesta rebels bombs the harbor at Balikpapan, Borneo, Indonesia, hitting an Indonesian naval corvette and two British oil tankers. In June, the Indonesian and British governments both claim that Indonesian rebels are responsible for such attacks, concealing the C.I.A.'s involvement.

title: 1958

date: March 17

text: March 17 – U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower approves a covert Central Intelligence Agency plan to train a paramilitary force against Cuba, which will result in the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion.

title: 1960

section: Events › March

text: May 1 – The U-2 incident: Several Soviet surface-to-air missiles shoot down an American Lockheed U-2 spy plane. Its pilot, Francis Gary Powers of the Central Intelligence Agency, is captured.

title: 1960

date: November 23

text: November 23 – Iran–Contra affair: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs the top secret National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), authorizing the Central Intelligence Agency to recruit and support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

title: 1981

section: Events › November

date: March 16

text: March 16 – The United States Central Intelligence Agency station chief in Beirut, William Francis Buckley, is kidnapped by the Islamic Jihad Organization and later dies in captivity.

title: 1984

date: May 25

text: May 25 — A Boeing 727 aircraft is stolen from an airport in Luanda, Angola triggering an international terrorist investigation by the FBI and CIA. The aircraft and its pilots were never found.

title: 2003

date: June 6

text: June 6 – Global surveillance disclosures: Former CIA employee and NSA contractor Edward Snowden discloses operations engaged in by a U.S. government mass surveillance program to news publications and flees the country, later being granted temporary asylum in Russia.

title: 2013

date: July 31

text: July 31 – Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Egyptian terrorist who became the 2nd Emir of al-Qaeda after Osama bin Laden's death in 2011, is killed in an airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan conducted by the United States' Central Intelligence Agency.

title: 2022


slug: central-italy

label: Central Italy

description: geographic region of Italy

section: Conflict & Security

text: Winter – Siege of Verona: Totila defends the city of Verona against a numerically superior Byzantine army. He gains control over the Po Valley and prepares a Gothic offensive in Central Italy.

title: 541

text: Gothic War: King Totila establishes his military base at Tivoli (Central Italy), and prepares a campaign to reconquer the region of Latium.

title: 545

section: Religion & Belief

text: Totila conquers the city of Perugia (Central Italy) and stations a Gothic garrison. He takes bishop Herculanus prisoner, and orders him to be completely flayed. The Ostrogoth soldier asked to perform this gruesome execution shows pity, and decapitates Herculanus before the skin on every part of his body is removed.

title: 549

section: Events › By place › Byzantine Empire

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: King Cleph completes the Lombard conquest of Tuscany (Central Italy) and extends his dominion to the gates of Ravenna.

title: 573

section: Deaths

text: Cerbonius, bishop of Populonia (Central Italy)

title: 575

text: Ariulf becomes the second Duke of Spoleto (Central Italy).

title: 592

text: The Lombards sack the town of Terracina (Central Italy). After they conquer more cities, Terracina remains an important military stronghold of the Byzantine Empire.

title: 595

text: Emperor Phocas recognizes Agilulf as king of the Lombards, and signs a peace treaty. He pays a tribute and cedes Orvieto (Central Italy), among other towns. The Byzantine army is withdrawn from the Balkan Peninsula.

title: 605

text: Atto succeeds Theodelap as duke of Spoleto, in Central Italy (approximate date).

title: 653

text: Desiderius deposes Alboin, duke of Spoleto (Central Italy), and exercises ducal authority himself, tying the duchy more closely to the Lombard capital of Pavia.

title: 758

date: September 11

text: September 11 – The Republic of Massa is founded in Central Italy with Bernardino del fu Losco as its first podesta appointed by the council of nine lords to serve as executive of the independent state.

title: 1225

section: Events › July – September

date: June 11

text: June 11 – Battle of Campaldino: Pro-papal Guelph forces of Florence and their allies, Lucca, Pistoia, Prato and Siena under Viscount Aimery IV defeat the Ghibelline army (some 10,000 men) in Tuscany. Florence becomes the dominant power in Central Italy; powerful merchant guilds take on a more political role in the communal government against their rivals of Genoa, Pisa and Venice.

title: 1289

section: Climate & Environment

text: January 14 – 1703 Apennine earthquakes: The magnitude 6.7 Norcia earthquake affects Central Italy with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). With a death toll of 6,240–9,761, it is the first in a sequence of three destructive events.

title: 1703

section: Events › January–March


slug: cereal

label: Cereal

description: grass cultivated for its edible grain

year_label: 406 BCE

section: Exploration & Expansion

text: Callicratidas is appointed as the navarch of the Spartan fleet, replacing Lysander. Callicratidas assembles a fleet and sails to Methymna, on Lesbos, to which he lays siege. This move threatens the Athenian grain supply.

title: 406 BC

section: Events › By place › Greece

text: Famine in Upper Rhineland: A fleet of 800 river boats, built for the Rhine, cross to the British east coast, and carry back enough corn to raise the famine.

title: 359

section: Events › By place › Roman Empire

text: Autumn – Wallia, brother of Athaulf, becomes king of the Visigoths. He accepts a peace treaty with emperor Honorius, in return for a supply of 600,000 measures of grain. After the negotiations he sends Placidia to Rome with hostages.

title: 415

text: Spring – The Vandals, led by Genseric ("Caesar King"), invade North Africa. They land with a force of 80,000 men including Alans, and Germanic tribesmen with their families from the Iberian Peninsula, across the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. The Vandal fleet raids the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, and blockades the grain and oil supply to Italy.

title: 429

text: The Vandals establish a North African granary that enables them to enforce their will on other nations, who are dependent on North Africa for grain and other food staples.

title: 439

section: Events › By place › Africa

text: A Vandal fleet and their allies (Alans, Goths and Moors) set out from Carthage for Sicily, the principal supplier of oil and grain to Italy after the loss of North Africa. They loot all the coastal towns and besiege Palermo. Heavily laden ships return to the court of King Genseric.

title: 440

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

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: Gregory I begins a vigorous program of rebuilding aqueducts and restoring Rome. He feeds the citizens with doles of grain, as under Roman imperial rule.

title: 590

section: Events › By topic › Religion

text: The Persians besiege Alexandria; the defence of the city is led by Nicetas (cousin of emperor Heraclius). The Byzantine resistance is undermined by a blockade of the harbor; the usual grain supplies are cut off from Egypt to Constantinople.

title: 618


slug: ceuta

label: Ceuta

description: Spanish autonomous city in northwestern Africa

year_label: 42 CE

text: Romans take control of Ceuta, a port city on the North African side of the Strait of Gibraltar.

title: 40s

section: Timeline › AD 42

text: An Arab army is invited into Ceuta by its governor, Julian, who is an opponent of Roderick. He encourages them to invade the Iberian Peninsula. Tariq ibn Ziyad is appointed governor of Tangier (Morocco), and establishes a Moorish garrison of 1,700 men.

title: 710

section: Events › By place › Europe

text: The Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba invades and conquers the city of Ceuta, which was ruled by the Berber dynasty Banu Isam.

title: 931

section: Events › By place › North Africa

text: The Almoravid emir, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, besieges Ceuta. Since the city can receive help from the sea, the siege will last until 1083.

title: 1078

text: Ceuta falls to the Almoravids, after a five-year siege.

title: 1083

text: Norman raiders capture Jijel (modern Algeria). A Norman raid on Ceuta fails, but at the same time the Normans lead a successful assault against Sfax.

title: 1143

text: Following the uprising of other cities in the region of Meknes (modern Morocco) under al-Massati, the population of Ceuta rebels against the Almohads.

title: 1148

date: September 17

text: September 17 – A large offensive, by the Almohad army led by Yusuf I in southern Portugal, aims at the reconquest of the Alentejo. Further north, an Almohad fleet sails to attack Lisbon, but is repelled by the Portuguese, near the Cape Espichel. The Portuguese fleet later manages to enter in the harbour of Ceuta, and destroy a number of Muslim ships. It is the beginning of a four-year naval conflict between the Almohads and Portuguese.

title: 1179

section: Disasters & Accidents

date: September 14

text: September 14 – Legend of Nazaré: Dom Fuas Roupinho, alcalde of Porto de Mós, is inspired by a Marian miracle to erect the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré overlooking Nazaré, Portugal. Later this year while trying to enter the harbor of Ceuta by surprise to sink Muslim ships he is spotted and killed.

title: 1182

text: The Almohad army besieges the city of Ceuta, where Abu Musa, rebellious brother of Caliph Idris al-Ma'mun, has received shelter and the support of the population. The Genoese rent a part of their fleet to the rebels, who successfully resist the forces of the caliph. The consequences of this revolt are threefold: the city becomes de facto independent from the Almohads, but its reliance on the Italian maritime powers increases, and the Trans-Saharan trade routes begin to shift eastward, due to the local turmoil.

title: 1232

text: Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Abd al-Haqq, Marinid ruler, enters peacefully into Ceuta, putting an end to some 40 years of the city's independence.

title: 1274

date: May 13

text: May 13 – Marinid forces led by Sultan Abu Yusuf Yaqub ibn Abd al-Haqq land in Spain upon a call from Muhammad II, ruler of Granada. With a fleet of 20 ships organized at Ceuta, some 5,000 men are transported from Alcázar Seguir to Tarifa without meeting any significant Christian opposition. The Maranids raid as far as the towns of Vejer de la Frontera and Jerez.

title: 1275

text: May 13 – (29 Shawwal 705 AH) A Moorish Nasrid fleet sent by Sultan Sultan Muhammad III of the Emirate of Granada (now part of Spain) makes a surprise attack on Africa and captures Ceuta. Nasrid forces land in Ksar es-Seghir, Larache, and Asilah, occupying these Atlantic ports (→ Battle of the Strait). At the same time, Prince Uthman ibn Abi al-Ula of the Marinid Sultanate, leads a rebellion against Sultan Abu Yaqub Yusuf an-Nasr. He conquers a mountainous area in northern Morocco and allies himself with Granada.

title: 1306

section: Events › April – June

date: July 21

text: July 21 – The north African territory of Ceuta, controlled by the Emirate of Granada, is conquered by a fleet of ships, led by Eimeric de Bellveí, from the Kingdom of Aragon.

title: 1309

date: May 12

text: May 12 – Marinid Sultan Abu al-Rabi Sulayman launches an attack on Ceuta. He concludes an alliance with King James II of Castile, and concedes commercial benefits to Castilian merchants. Abu al-Rabi also sends 1,000 measures of wheat to Aragon. A few months later, Marinid forces, without Castilian support, occupy Ceuta and expel Saracen forces from Morocco.

title: 1309

date: August 21

text: August 21 – Conquest of Ceuta: Portugal conquers the city of Ceuta from the Moors, initiating the Portuguese Empire, and European expansion and colonialism.

title: 1415

section: Events › July–September

date: August 17

text: August 17 – Siege of Ceuta: After four days of battle, the Portuguese defenders of the city of Ceuta are able to force a retreat of invaders from Morocco.

title: 1419

date: August 22

text: August 22– Portugal's disastrous Tangier expedition to attack Morocco begins as Prince Henry the Navigator and more than 6,000 troops (3,000 knights, 2,000 infantry, 1,000 archers) sail from the port of Belém toward Africa and the Portuguese colony of Ceuta. They arrive at Ceuta five days later.

title: 1437

date: October 15

text: October 15 – Prince Henry the Navigator (Henrique, o Navegador), brother of King Duarte of Portugal, agrees on behalf Portugal to cede its North African colony of Ceuta back to Morocco in return for being allowed to withdraw all of his troops, including those taken prisoner.

title: 1437

section: Events › October–December

date: February 13

text: February 13 – In Lisbon, a peace treaty is established between Afonso VI of Portugal and Carlos II of Spain, by mediation of Charles II of England, in which the legitimacy of the Portuguese monarch is recognized. Portugal yields Ceuta to Spain.

title: 1668


slug: ceylon

label: Ceylon

year_label: 543 BCE

section: Conflict & Security

text: North Indian Prince Vijaya invades Ceylon and establishes a Sinhalese dynasty after he was banished from his father's kingdom

title: 543 BC

section: Events

section: Culture & Society

text: Mahasena reigns in Ceylon. Orthodox and unpopular, he tries to introduce Mahayana Buddhism to the country.

title: 276

text: Fa-Hien, Chinese Buddhist monk, spends 2 years in Ceylon and is more than 200 days at sea as storms drive his ship off its course, but returns with sacred Buddhist texts back to China (see 414).

title: 412

section: Crime & Justice

date: July 14

text: July 14 – King Dominicus Corea (Edirille Bandara) is beheaded by the Portuguese in Colombo, Ceylon.

title: 1596

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

date: May 23

text: May 23 – The Kandyan Treaty is signed between Singhala King Rajasimha II and the Dutch, to rid Ceylon of the Portuguese.

title: 1638

section: Events › April–June

text: Portuguese traders are expelled from Ceylon by Dutch invaders.

title: 1658

section: Events › Date unknown

text: France begins its expedition against Ceylon.

title: 1673

date: August 10

text: August 10 – English sea captain Robert Knox of the East India Company publishes his book An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon, about his adventures, 20-years imprisonment and escape from Ceylon.

title: 1681

date: February 15

text: February 15 – French Revolutionary Wars: The Invasion of Ceylon (1795) ends when Johan van Angelbeek, the Batavian governor of Ceylon, surrenders Colombo peacefully to British forces.

title: 1796

date: February 16

text: February 16 – The Kingdom of Great Britain is granted control of Ceylon by the Dutch.

title: 1796

section: Science & Discovery

text: The Pali Text Society is founded by British scholar Thomas William Rhys Davids, for the study of Pali (Ceylonese) texts.

title: 1881

section: Technology & Infrastructure

text: July 21 – Edward Harper, the "father of broadcasting" in Ceylon, arrives in Colombo to take up his post as Chief Engineer of the Ceylon Telegraph Department.

title: 1921

section: Events › July

date: April 5

text: April 5 – WWII: Easter Sunday Raid – Aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy attack Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Royal Navy cruisers and are sunk southwest of the island.

title: 1942

section: Events › April

text: April 5 – In Ceylon, a group calling themselves the People's Liberation Front begins a rebellion against the Bandaranaike government.

title: 1971

date: May 6

text: May 6 – The government of Ceylon begins a major offensive against the People's Liberation Front.

title: 1971

section: Events › May


slug: chad

label: Chad

description: sovereign state in central Africa

text: Omar I is succeeded by Sa'id, as King of the Kanem-Bornu Empire (modern-day east Chad and Nigeria). Sa'id is succeeded in the same year by Kade Alunu. Omar and Sa'id are both killed by Bilala invaders from the west.

title: 1388

text: Biri II succeeds Kade Alunu as King of the Kanem-Bornu Empire (now eastern Chad and Nigeria), and the Empire loses its land in present-day Chad to the Bilala.

title: 1389

date: July 17

text: July 17 – In the Battle of Togbao in Chad, the French Bretonnet–Braun mission is destroyed by the warlord Rabih az-Zubayr.

title: 1899

section: Exploration & Expansion

date: June 15

text: June 15 – The French expedition to liberate Chad, arrives at Kouno, where the commander, Henri Bretonnet, meets with the Gaourang II, the Muslim Sultan of Bagirmi.

title: 1899

section: Events › June

date: October 29

text: October 29 – The Battle of Kouno ends after two days in Chad, as French Army Captain Émile Gentil leads a force of 344 troops against a much larger force of Sudanese Arabs, led by the warlord Rabih az-Zubayr. Gentil routs the Sudanese.

title: 1899

section: Events › October

date: April 22

text: April 22 – Battle of Kousséri: French forces secure their domination of Chad. Warlord Rabih az-Zubayr is defeated and killed.

title: 1900

date: November 28

text: November 28 – Chad, the Republic of the Congo and Gabon become autonomous republics within the French colonial empire.

title: 1958

section: Events › November

text: February 16 – Ouadi Doum air raid: The French Air Force raids the Libyan Ouadi Doum airbase in northern Chad.

title: 1986

section: Events › February

date: August 31

text: August 31 – In the aftermath of the Chadian–Libyan conflict of 1978–87, representatives of Libya and Chad agree to let the International Court of Justice determine ownership of the Aouzou Strip, which has been occupied by Libya since 1973.

title: 1989

section: Events › August

section: Religion & Belief

date: January 25

text: January 25 – Pope John Paul II begins an eight-day tour of Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad.

title: 1990

section: Events › January

date: February 3

text: February 3 – In the aftermath of the Chadian–Libyan conflict, the International Court of Justice rules that the Aouzou Strip belongs to the Republic of Chad.

title: 1994

date: December 18

text: December 18 – Chad descends into civil war after various rebel forces, with support from Sudan, attack the capital, N'Djamena.

title: 2005

section: Events › December

date: April 18

text: April 18 – 44 suspected Boko Haram members are found dead, apparently due to poisoning, inside a prison in N'Djamena, Chad.

title: 2020

date: January 8

text: January 8 – Eighteen gunmen and a soldier are killed in an attack on the presidential palace in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad.

title: 2025


slug: chalcedon

label: Chalcedon

description: ancient city of Bithynia in modern-day Turkey

section: Conflict & Security

date: June 8

text: June 8 – Battle of Antioch: Elagabalus defeats, with the support of the Syrian legions, the forces of Macrinus. Macrinus flees, but is captured near Chalcedon and later executed in Cappadocia.

title: 218

section: Events › By place › Roman Empire

section: Crime & Justice

text: Phocas has Constantina, empress consort of Maurice, and her three daughters arrested. He accuses her of conspiracy, and has them executed at Chalcedon (Bithynia).

title: 605

section: Events › By place › Byzantine Empire

text: Battle of Antioch: Heraclius mobilises a Byzantine expeditionary force to Antioch (Syria), but is completely defeated outside the city by the Persians. Shahin Vahmanzadegan makes further inroads into Central and Western Anatolia. In Syria, Shahrbaraz captures the cities of Damascus, Apamea and Emesa.

title: 613

text: Byzantine-Sassanid War: The Persian army under Shahin Vahmanzadegan conquers Chalcedon in Anatolia, and reaches the Bosporus, threatening Constantinople. Emperor Heraclius begins peace negotiations, promising an annual tribute of 1,000 talents of gold and silver. Shahin withdraws with his army to Syria, to focus on the invasion of Egypt.

title: 617

text: Byzantine–Sassanid War: Emperor Heraclius invades Armenia, leaving his son Constantine (age 11) and co-regent Bonus to defend Constantinople against the Persians still at Chalcedon (modern Turkey). He sails with 5,000 reinforcements to join the Byzantine army at Trapezus. Raising additional forces in Pontus, Heraclius strikes through the mountains of Armenia and the northern sub-Caucasian principalities. He plunders Media (Azerbaijan), and avoids the Persian armies who attempt to trap him.

title: 623

text: Winter – King Khosrow II withdraws most of his troops from Chalcedon (Anatolia); he assembles three armies to trap and destroy Heraclius' forces.

title: 624

text: Byzantine–Persian War: Heraclius, his army reduced by campaigning to less than 30,000 men, is on the defensive in Pontus. Apparently he leaves a strong Byzantine garrison in Trapezus, and withdraws north-eastward along the Black Sea into Colchis, where he halts the Persians by aggressive defensive-offensive operations along the Phasis River. By attracting the Persian army under Shahin Vahmanzadegan in Anatolia, he provides Theodore with the opportunity to defeat them. By the end of the summer he threatens the communication of the Persians at Chalcedon (modern Turkey).

title: 626

text: Yazid reaches Chalcedon in Bithynia, and takes the important Byzantine center Amorium (modern Turkey).

title: 668

section: Events › By place › Arabian Empire

section: Climate & Environment

text: Spring – Arab forces that have taken Chalcedon, on the Asian shore of the Bosporus, threaten the Byzantine capital Constantinople. The Muslim-Arabs are decimated by famine and disease. Yazid, the Arab commander, retreats to the island of Cyzicus (modern Turkey).

title: 669

date: June 23

text: June 23 – The Crusader fleet comes within sight of Constantinople, and enters the Bosporus. The Byzantine capital is defended by a garrison of 15,000 soldiers (including 5,000 men of the Varangian Guard), and a fleet of 20 galleys. On June 26, the Byzantine troops skirmish with the Crusader forces, who attack, without success, the cities of Chalcedon and Chrysopolis.

title: 1203

section: Events › By place › Fourth Crusade


slug: chalcis

label: Chalcis

description: Greek city in Central Greece region

year_label: 446 BCE

text: The Spartan army retires, so Pericles crosses back to Euboea with 50 ships and 5,000 soldiers, cracking down any opposition. He punishes the landowners of Chalcis, who lose their properties, while the residents of Histiaea are uprooted and replaced by 2,000 Athenian settlers.

title: 446 BC

section: Events › By place › Greece

year_label: 429 BCE

text: The Athenians under Xenophon march into Thrace to attack Chalcis. They destroy crops outside Spartolus and begin negotiating with pro-Athenian factions in Chalcis, but the anti-Athenian factions ask for help from Olynthus. An army from Chalcis, Spartolus, and Olynthus meet the Athenians in battle, but their hoplites are defeated. Reinforcements soon arrive from Olynthus, and they launch a second attack on the Athenians. The Athenians are routed, with all of their generals and 430 other men killed.

title: 429 BC

year_label: 323 BCE

section: Deaths

text: The Greek philosopher and scientist, Aristotle, faces a strong anti-Macedonian reaction in Athens following the death of Alexander the Great. Aristotle is accused of impiety by the Athenians. However, he escapes to Chalcis in Euboea.

title: 323 BC

year_label: 312 BCE

text: Cassander abandons the siege of Oreus, concentrating his forces at Chalcis to counter Ptolemy who has landed at Bathys in Boeotia and has been reinforced by the Boeotian League with 2,200 infantry and 1,300 cavalry.

title: 312 BC

section: Events › By place › Greece/Macedon/Thrace

year_label: 271 BCE

text: With the restoration of the territories captured by Pyrrhus, and with grateful allies in Sparta and Argos, and garrisons in Corinth and other Greek key cities, Antigonus II securely controls Macedonia and the other states of Greece. Antigonus becomes the chief of the Thessalian League and is on good terms with neighbouring Illyria and Thrace. He secures his position in central and south Greece by keeping Macedonian occupation forces in the cities of Corinth, Chalcis on the island of Euboea, and Demetrias in Thessaly, the three "shackles" of Hellas.

title: 271 BC

year_label: 253 BCE

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: Alexander, Antigonus II's nephew and regent, leads a revolt in Corinth with Ptolemy II's help and declares himself an independent monarch. As a result, Antigonus loses Corinth and Chalcis, the two bases from which he has dominated southern Greece. As the Aetolians occupy Thermopylae, Antigonus II is cut off from Athens and the Peloponnese.

title: 253 BC

year_label: 191 BCE

text: The Romans under Manius Acilius Glabrio and Cato the Elder cut the Seleucid king Antiochus III off from his reinforcements in Thrace and outflank his position at the pass of Thermopylae in the Battle of Thermopylae. With the remainder of his troops, Antiochus flees to Chalcis on Euboea and from there he retreats by sea to Ephesus.

title: 191 BC

section: Events › By place › Roman Republic

year_label: 50 CE

text: Roman emperor Claudius appoints Agrippa II governor of Chalcis.

title: 50s

section: Events › 50 AD › Roman Empire

year_label: 53 CE

text: Emperor Claudius removes Herod Agrippa II from the tetrarchy of Chalcis in Greece.

title: 50s

section: Events › 53 AD › Roman Empire

text: The imposter Paul Palaiologos Tagaris, having been appointed Latin Patriarch of Constantinople by Pope Urban VI, takes up residence in his see at Chalcis.

title: 1380

section: Events › Date unknown


slug: chalukya-dynasty

label: Chalukya dynasty

description: classical Indian dynasty (543–753)

section: Exploration & Expansion

text: King Pulakeshin I establishes the Chalukya dynasty in India. He extends his kingdom by conquering Vakataka and the west coast of Karnataka, giving him access to the valuable Arabian Sea trade routes.

title: 543

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: Kirtivarman I succeeds his father Pulakeshin I as king of the Chalukya dynasty (India). During his rule he completes the subjugation of the Kadambas and annexes the port of Goa.

title: 566

text: Pulakeshin I, king of the Chalukya dynasty (India)

title: 566

text: Mangalesha becomes king of the Chalukya dynasty, after his brother Kirtivarman I dies. He rules as regent of Kirtivarman's son Pulakeshin II, and invades the territory of Khandesh and Gujarat (northwestern India).

title: 597

text: Kirtivarman I, king of the Chalukya dynasty (India)

title: 597

text: King Pulakeshin II defeats the Harsha army on the banks of the Narmada River. Harsha loses a major part of his elephant force and retreats. A truce establishes Narmada as the northern boundary of the Chalukya Kingdom (India).

title: 620

text: King Pulakeshin II of Chalukya receives Persian envoys, who are sent by King Khosrau II at Badami (southern India).

title: 625

text: Pulakeshin II, king of Chalukya (India)

title: 642

text: King Vikramaditya I of Chalukya (India) re-unites the kingdom, after defeating his brothers.

title: 655

text: King Vikramaditya I of Chalukya defeats the Pallavan army in battle, and destroys its capital Kanchi (modern India).

title: 674

text: Vikramaditya I, king of Chalukya (India)

title: 680

section: Births

text: Vijayaditya, king of the Chalukya dynasty (d. 733)

title: 696

text: Vinayaditya of Vatapi, king of the Chalukya dynasty and predecessor of Vijayaditya.

title: 696

text: Kirtivarman II, ruler in the Chalukya dynasty (d. 753)

title: 746

text: Akkadevi, princess of the Chalukya dynasty (d. 1064)

title: 1010

text: Akkadevi, princess of the Chalukya dynasty (b. 1010)

title: 1064


slug: champa

label: Champa

description: Civilization, comprised of multiple kingdoms, sometimes unified, sometimes not, in South-East Asia

section: Conflict & Security

text: The kingdom of Champa begins to control south and central Vietnam (approximate date).

title: AD 192

section: Events › By place › Vietnam

text: Fan Hsiung, a.k.a. Pham Hung, comes to power in Champa and raids the Chinese-occupied territory of Tonkin.

title: 270

text: Rudravarman is granted investiture by China, as the first king of the fourth dynasty of Champa (modern Vietnam).

title: 529

section: Events › By place › Southeast Asia

date: February

text: February – Lý Bí is declared emperor and establishes the empire Van Xuân (modern Vietnam). His armies repel attacks from the kingdom of Champa.

title: 544

text: King Jayavarman III founds a new dynasty at Indrapura (Quảng Nam) in Champa, in the central region of modern-day Vietnam. He initiates a building program in the Dong Duong Style.

title: 875

text: In Vietnam during the Early Le dynasty, provincial governor Dương Tiến Lộc seized control of the two provinces Hoan and Ái in an attempt to request annexation to Champa, which was rejected. He then rebelled against the emperor but was quickly suppressed within the same year, resulting in heavy civilian casualties in both provinces.

title: 989

section: Events › Asia

text: Nam tiến, the southward expansion of the territory of Đại Việt (modern Vietnam), begins when a Lý dynasty army attacks Champa, capturing King Rudravarman III.

title: 1069

text: Lý Giác, a wizard, launched a rebellion against king Lý Nhân Tông of the Lý dynasty. The national army led by Lý Thường Kiệt quickly quelled the rebellion. Lý Giác then escaped to Champa and later provoked the war between the two countries which lasted for nearly 2 years.

title: 1103

text: After the raid on Đại Việt in 1103, the Champa army under king Jaya Indravarman II successfully retakes three provinces in the Địa Lý regions but is quickly defeated by the national forces led by Lý Thường Kiệt, and is forced to withdraw from the country. Đại Việt under the Lý dynasty then takes control of the three Địa Lý provinces.

title: 1104

text: Forces of the kingdom of Champa invade Đại Việt.

title: 1128

text: King Jayavarman VII of the Khmer Empire sacks the capital of Champa (approximate date).

title: 1191

date: February 13

text: February 13–14 – Battle of Thị Nại Bay: A Mongol-led Yuan expeditionary force (some 5,000 men) lands on the beach, near Champa's capital Vijaya in Vietnam. Despite being outnumbered, the Yuan invaders break the Cham defensive line and force King Indravarman V to retreat to the Western Highlands, where he wages a successful guerrilla campaign against the occupying Yuan forces.

title: 1283

date: June 24

text: June 24 – Battle of Chương Dương: Joint forces of Champa and Đại Việt defeat the Mongol-led Yuan fleet on the Red River. Most of the Yuan warships are burned during the battle, and the Mongol army retreats to China in late June. The Vietnamese royal court returns to the capital in Thang Long following a six-month conflict.

title: 1285

date: April 9

text: April 9 – Battle of Bạch Đằng: Đại Việt (Vietnamese) general Trần Hưng Đạo sinks the fleet of an invading Mongol-led Yuan expeditionary army (some 94,000 men). He orders the placing of steel-tipped bamboo stakes (to create an ambush) in the Bach Dang River near Ha Long Bay. This ends the intentions of Kublai Khan to conquer Vietnam and Champa.

title: 1288

text: Kublai Khan sends a Mongol expeditionary force (some 20,000 men) to Java. He collects an invasion fleet with some 500–1,000 ships and enough provisions for a year from Fujian, Jiangxi and Huguang in southern China. The fleet travels past Champa (modern Vietnam) and the Karimata Islands. The Mongols land on Java, taking the capital of Kediri, but it proves impossible to hold.

title: 1292

text: Tran Anh Tong, emperor of Annam (Northern Vietnam), occupies Champa (Southern Vietnam) and establishes the Cham royal dynasty as puppet rulers.

title: 1313

date: March

text: March – Champa, during the reign of King Po Binasuor, raids Hóa Châu of Đại Việt, then withdraws.

title: 1362

section: Events › January–December

date: January 23

text: January 23 – Ko Cheng succeeds Che Bong Nga, as King of Champa (now eastern Vietnam).

title: 1390

section: Events › January–March

text: December 18 – Lê Thánh Tông leads the Đại Việt army into Champa, conquering the country in less than three months.

title: 1470

section: Events › October–December

text: November 28 – Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Đại Việt launches a naval expedition against Champa, beginning the Cham–Annamese War.

title: 1470

date: March 22

text: March 22 – The Empire of Dai Viet in north Vietnam triumphs over the Champa Kingdom of south Vietnam after Dai Viet Emperor Le Thanh Tong ignores the offer of Champa King Tra Toan to surrender Vijaya. After the city walls are breached, King Tra Toan, his family and 30,000 other Chams are captured as prisoners, while over 60,000 other Chams are killed. Another 40,000 residents who did not die in the fighting are executed.

title: 1471


slug: chan-buddhism

label: Chan Buddhism

description: Chinese school of Mahāyāna Buddhism

text: Dongshan Liangjie, Chinese Buddhist teacher (d. 869)

title: 807

text: Xuefeng Yicun, Chinese Chan master (d. 908)

title: 822

text: Yantou Quanhuo, Chinese Chan master (d. 887)

title: 828

section: Deaths

text: Dongshan Liangjie, Chinese Buddhist teacher (b. 807)

title: 869

text: Hsiang-yen Chih-hsien, Chinese Ch'an master

title: 898

text: Fayun Faxiu, Chinese Chan Buddhist monk (d. 1090)

title: 1027

text: Qingshui, Chinese Chan Buddhist monk (d. 1101)

title: 1047

text: Yuanwu Keqin, Chinese Chan Buddhist monk (d. 1135)

title: 1063

text: Hongzhi Zhengjue, Chinese Chan Buddhist monk and writer (d. 1157)

title: 1091

text: Changlu Zongze, Chinese Chan Buddhist monk

title: 1107

text: Yuanwu Keqin, Chinese Chan Buddhist monk (b. 1063)

title: 1135

date: May 16

text: May 16 – Ji Gong (or Daoji), Chinese Buddhist monk (b. 1130)

title: 1209

text: Zhongfeng Mingben, Chinese Buddhist master (d. 1323)

title: 1263


slug: chancellor-of-germany-german-reich

label: Chancellor of Germany (German Reich)

date: February 24

text: February 24 – Leo von Caprivi, Chancellor of Germany (d. 1899)

title: 1831

section: Births › January–June

date: May 3

text: May 3 – Bernhard von Bülow, 8th Chancellor of Germany (d. 1929)

title: 1849

section: Births › April–June

date: November 29

text: November 29 – Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, Chancellor of Germany (d. 1921)

title: 1856

section: Births › October–December

date: July 26

text: July 26 – Philipp Scheidemann, 11th Chancellor of Germany (d. 1939)

title: 1865

section: Births › July–August

date: May 10

text: May 10 – Gustav Stresemann, Chancellor of Germany, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (d. 1929)

title: 1878

section: Births › May

date: July 6

text: July 6 – Chlodwig, Prince of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst, Chancellor of Germany (b. 1819)

title: 1901

section: Deaths › July–August

date: October 3

text: October 3 – Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany appoints Max von Baden Chancellor of Germany.

title: 1918

section: Events › October

date: January 1

text: January 1 – Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, 5th Chancellor of Germany (b. 1856)

title: 1921

section: Deaths › January–February

section: Economy & Finance

date: August 13

text: August 13 – Gustav Stresemann is named Chancellor of Germany, and founds a coalition government for the Weimar Republic, where hyperinflation means that more than 4,600,000 marks are now needed to buy a single American dollar.

title: 1923

section: Events › July–August

date: October 28

text: October 28 – Bernhard von Bülow, German count and statesman, 8th Chancellor of Germany (b. 1849)

title: 1929

section: Deaths › October

date: January 30

text: January 30 – Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany by President of Germany Paul von Hindenburg.

title: 1933

section: Events › January

date: June

text: Kurt von Schleicher, 23rd Chancellor of Germany (b. 1882)

title: 1934

section: Deaths › June

text: November 29 – Philipp Scheidemann, German politician, 11th Chancellor of Germany (b. 1865)

title: 1939

section: Deaths › November

date: May 2

text: May 2 – Franz von Papen, 22nd Chancellor of Germany and 26th Prime Minister of Prussia (b. 1879)

title: 1969

section: Deaths › May


slug: chancellor-of-the-exchequer

label: Chancellor of the Exchequer

description: Minister for Finance in the United Kingdom and Head of Treasury

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

date: August 20

text: August 20 – John de Benstede, the English Chancellor of the Exchequer since 1305 when he was appointed by the late King Edward I, is dismissed as by the new and replaced by John Sandale.

title: 1307

section: Events › July – September

date: December 13

text: December 13 – John Hotham is appointed as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer in England by King Edward and serves for three and a half years.

title: 1312

section: Events › October – December

section: Religion & Belief

date: October 12

text: October 12 – Thomas Lovell is appointed for life as England's Chancellor of the Exchequer by King Henry. He will serve for 39 years before his death in 1524.

title: 1485

section: Events › October–December

section: Crime & Justice

date: June 10

text: June 10 – Thomas Cromwell, Chief Minister for King Henry VIII, is arrested at meeting of the Privy Council of England at Westminster and charged with treason. Cromwell is removed from his positions as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Privy Seal, Lord Great Chamberlain and Governor of the Isle of Wight, and will be executed on July 28.

title: 1540

section: Events › April–June

text: October 12 – Baron Onslow resigns as Great Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer and is replaced by future Prime Minister Robert Walpole.

title: 1715

date: January 9

text: January 9 – Robert Walpole is made Earl of Orford, and resigns as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, effectively ending his period as Prime Minister of Great Britain. On his formally relinquishing office five days later, he will have served 20 years and 314 days as Prime Minister, the longest single term ever, and also longer than the accumulated terms of any other British Prime Minister.

title: 1742

section: Events › January–March

date: March 13

text: March 13 – British Chancellor of the Exchequer Charles Townshend, having already pushed through the unpopular Townshend Acts to recoup war expenses from Britain's American colonies, presents a comprehensive plan for more taxes in a closed door session of the House of Commons, with most proposals passed within a month.

title: 1767

date: October 7

text: October 7 – Frederick North, Lord North becomes the new British Chancellor of the Exchequer after the sudden death of Charles Townshend.

title: 1767

section: Events › October –December

date: March 14

text: March 14 – Henry Addington becomes First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer, effectively Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

title: 1801

section: Births

text: July 6 – Reginald McKenna, British Chancellor of the Exchequer (1915-1916) (d. 1943)

title: 1863

section: Births › July–September

section: Culture & Society

date: April 28

text: April 28 – Presenting the Stanley Baldwin government's budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer Winston Churchill announces Britain's return to the gold standard.

title: 1925

section: Events › April

date: September 6

text: September 6 – Reginald McKenna, British Chancellor of the Exchequer 1915–1916 (b. 1863)

title: 1943

section: Deaths › September

date: April 21

text: April 21 – Sir Stafford Cripps, British Labour politician, former Chancellor of the Exchequer (b. 1889)

title: 1952

section: Deaths › April

date: December 5

text: December 5 – Sajid Javid, British Pakistani politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer

title: 1969

section: Births › December

date: June 23

text: June 23 – The United Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer, Anthony Barber, announces a decision for the pound sterling to move to a floating exchange rate. Although intended to be temporary, this remains permanent. Foreign exchange controls are applied to most members of the sterling area.

title: 1972

section: Events › June


slug: chancellor-of-the-tang-dynasty

label: Chancellor of the Tang dynasty

description: imperial Chinese position

section: Deaths

text: Yuwen Shiji, chancellor of the Tang dynasty

title: 642

text: Cen Wenben, chancellor and editor of the Book of Zhou (b. 595)

title: 645

date: December 31

text: December 31 – Li Shiji, general and chancellor of the Tang dynasty (b. 594)

title: 669

text: Du Hongjian, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 769)

title: 709

text: Guan Bo, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 797)

title: 719

text: Yang Yan, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 781)

title: AD 727

text: Yuwen Rong, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (or 731)

title: 730

text: Li Yuanhong, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 733

text: Song Jing, Chancellor of the Tang dynasty (b. 663)

title: AD 737

text: Lu Mai, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 798)

title: 739

text: Li Shizhi, chancellor and poet of the Tang dynasty

title: AD 747

text: Li Linfu, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 753

text: Li Yijian, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 822)

title: 756

text: Li Fengji, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 835)

title: 758

text: Wei Guanzhi, Chinese chancellor (d. 821)

title: 760

text: Li Jiang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 830)

title: 764

text: Li Cheng, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 766

text: Cui Qun, Chinese Chancellor of the Tang dynasty (d. 832)

title: 772

text: Duan Wenchang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 835)

title: 773

text: date unknown – Lu Sui, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 835)

title: 776

text: Li Jue, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (approximate date)

title: 784

text: Li Deyu, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 850)

title: AD 787

text: Lu Shang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 859)

title: 789

text: Bai Minzhong, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 861)

title: 792

text: Wei Mo, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 858)

title: 793

text: Liu Zhuan, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 858)

title: 796

text: Guan Bo, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 719)

title: 797

text: Lu Mai, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 739)

title: 798

text: Jiang Shen, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 881)

title: 799

text: Li Jifu is appointed chancellor, during the reign of Emperor Xian Zong in China.

title: 807

section: Events › By place › Asia

text: Du Huangchang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: AD 808

date: July 24

text: July 24 – Gao Ying, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 740)

title: 811

text: Du You, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 735)

title: 812

date: July 13

text: July 13 – Wu Yuanheng, Chinese chancellor of the Tang Dynasty, is murdered by assassins of warlord Wu Yuanji, in Chang'an.

title: 815

text: July 13 – Wu Yuanheng, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 758)

title: 815

text: Cheng Yi, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 819

text: Li Yijian, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 756)

title: 822

text: Zhang Hongjing, Chinese chancellor (b. 760)

title: 824

text: Li Jiang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 764)

title: 830

text: Dou Yizhi, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 833

text: Shu Yuanyu, Chinese official and chancellor

title: 835

text: Liu Chongwang, Chancellor of the Tang dynasty (d. 900)

title: 839

text: Du Rangneng, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (d. 893)

title: 841

date: March 16

text: March 16 – Xiao Mian, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 842

text: Chen Yixing, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 844

date: July 29

text: July 29 – Li Shen, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 846

text: Lu Yi, Chancellor of the Tang dynasty China (d. 905)

title: 847

text: July 14 – Wei Fu, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 850

text: Zhou Chi, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 793)

title: 851

text: Li Jue, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 852

text: Bai Minzhong, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 792)

title: 861

text: Bi Xian, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 802)

title: 864

text: Wang Dingbao, Chinese chancellor (d. 941)

title: 870

text: Du Cong, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 794)

title: 873

text: Xiao Fang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (b. 796)

title: 875

text: Lu Wenji, Chinese chancellor (d. 951)

title: 876

text: Li Wei, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 879

text: Cui Hang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 881

text: Zhang Yanhan, Chinese official and chancellor (d. 941)

title: 884

text: Zhao Ying, Chinese chancellor (d. 951)

title: 885

text: April 6 – Pei Che, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 887

text: Lin Ding, Chinese official and chancellor (d. 944)

title: 891

text: Dou Zhengu, Chinese official and chancellor (d. 969)

title: 892

text: Su Yugui, Chinese official and chancellor (d. 956)

title: 895

text: Cui Zhaowei, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 896

text: He Ning, Chinese chancellor (d. 955)

title: 898

text: Liu Chongwang, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 900

text: Xu Yanruo, chancellor of the Tang Dynasty

title: 901

text: March 6 – Lu Guangqi, Chinese official and chancellor

title: 903

text: July 5 – Cui Yuan, Chinese chancellor

title: 905

text: April 25 – Zhang Wenwei, Chinese chancellor

title: 908

text: November 8 – Yao Yi, Chinese chancellor (b. 866)

title: 940

text: January 5 – Zhang Yanhan, Chinese chancellor (b. 884)

title: 941

text: Wang Jichang, Chinese general and chancellor

title: 945

text: August 24 – Zhang Ye, Chinese general and chancellor

title: 948

text: January 2 – Su Fengji, Chinese official and chancellor

title: 951

text: Li Jianxun, Chinese official and chancellor

title: 952

text: Ma Yinsun, Chinese official and chancellor

title: 953

text: May 21 – Feng Dao, Chinese prince and chancellor (b. 882)

title: 954

text: July 23 – He Ning, Chinese official and chancellor (b. 898)

title: 955

text: February 15 – Su Yugui, Chinese chancellor (b. 895)

title: 956

text: Li Hao, Chinese chancellor (approximate date)

title: 965

text: Yan Xu, Chinese chancellor (b. 910)

title: 967

text: April 2 – Yuan Dezhao, Chinese chancellor (b. 891)

title: 968


slug: chandragupta-maurya

label: Chandragupta Maurya

description: founder of the Maurya Empire (350–295 BCE)

year_label: 340 BCE

text: Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya Empire (approximate date)

title: 340 BC

year_label: 322 BCE

section: Conflict & Security

text: Chandragupta Maurya captures Magadha: Chandragupta, with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya), who is also known as the Indian Machiavelli, destroys the Nanda rulers of Magadha and establishes the Maurya Empire. It is said that Chanakya met Chandragupta in the Vindhya forest, after being insulted by the Nanda king.

title: 322 BC

section: Events › By place › India

year_label: 321 BCE

section: Geopolitics & Diplomacy

text: Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Mauryan empire, establishes himself as the king of Magadha.

title: 321 BC

year_label: 305 BCE

text: Seleucus, former officer of Alexander the Great, considers himself emperor of Persia. He attempts to recover lands taken by Chandragupta that had been a part of Alexander's Empire. Seleucus establishes Seleucia on the Tigris River as his capital.

title: 305 BC

section: Events › By place › Seleucid Empire

year_label: 304 BCE

text: The Mauryan emperor Chandragupta defeats Seleucus I Nicator as he tries to invade India.

title: 304 BC

year_label: 303 BCE

text: Seleucus I Nicator expands his kingdom throughout Persia as far east as India, but his advance is eventually halted by Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya dynasty of India. In a pact concluded by the two leaders, Seleucus agrees to territorial concessions in exchange for 500 war-trained elephants.

title: 303 BC

year_label: 298 BCE

text: Bindusara succeeds his father Chandragupta Maurya as emperor of the Mauryan Empire.

title: 298 BC

year_label: 297 BCE

section: Exploration & Expansion

text: Chandragupta Maurya goes to Sravana Belagola, near Mysore, to live in the way of Jains.

title: 297 BC

text: Chandragupta Maurya, Emperor of the Maurya Empire in India, r. 322–297 BC (approximate date)

title: 297 BC


slug: chang-an

label: Chang'an

description: ancient capital and city of China

year_label: 202 BCE

section: Technology & Infrastructure

text: The construction of the new Chinese capital Chang'an begins.

title: 202 BC

section: Events › By place › China

year_label: 200 BCE

text: The construction of the Wei-Yang Palace in the Han dynasty capital (Chang'an) begins.

title: 200 BC

year_label: 195 BCE

text: Chang'an, the capital of China, is thought to become the largest city in the world at this time, taking over from Pataliputra, the capital of the Mauryan empire.

title: 195 BC

year_label: 194 BCE

text: The construction of the first city wall of Chang'an begins.

title: 194 BC

year_label: 25 BCE

text: Estimation: Rome, capital of the Roman Empire, becomes the largest city in the world, taking the lead from Chang'an, capital of China.

title: 25 BC

section: Events › By place › Roman Empire

section: Disasters & Accidents

text: Luoyang is burned and plundered by the forces of Dong Zhuo. The court is moved to Chang'an.

title: AD 190

text: A coalition of Chinese warlords from the east of Hangu Pass launches a punitive campaign against the warlord Dong Zhuo, who seized control of the central government in 189, and held the figurehead Emperor Xian hostage. After suffering some defeats against the coalition forces, Dong Zhuo forcefully relocates the imperial capital from Luoyang to Chang'an. Before leaving, Dong Zhuo orders his troops to loot the tombs of the Han emperors, and then destroy Luoyang by fire, to leave behind nothing for the coalition.

title: AD 191

text: March 14 – Emperor Huai of Jin is executed by Liu Cong, ruler of the Xiongnu state (Han-Zhao). At the imperial new year he and a number of former Jin officials are poisoned. Crown prince Min of Jin, age 13, succeeds, in Chang'an, his uncle Huai of Jin and becomes the new emperor of the Jin Dynasty.

title: 313

text: Han-Zhao forces capture Chang'an, capital of the Chinese Western Jin dynasty. Emperor Min of Jin surrenders to Liu Yao, ending the Western Jin.

title: 316

text: Liu Yao becomes the new emperor of Han-Zhao and moves his capital to Chang'an.

title: 318

text: Former Qin captures the city of Xiangyang from Eastern Jin. The Buddhist monk Dao'an is transferred from Xiangyang to Chang'an.

title: 379

section: Religion & Belief

text: Kumarajiva, Kuchean Buddhist monk, arrives in Chang'an and begins translating Buddhist texts into Chinese.

title: 401

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 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: 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

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

text: Xuanzang, Chinese Buddhist monk, sets out for India from the Tang dynasty capital Chang'an on a pilgrimage.

title: 629

section: Events › By topic › Religion

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

text: Christian missionaries arrive in China: Alopen, bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, preaches Nestorian Christianity in the Tang dynasty capital, Chang'an.

title: 635

text: Chang'an, capital of the Tang dynasty (China), becomes the largest city of the world, taking the lead from Ctesiphon, capital of Persia.

title: 637

text: Nestorian missionaries build the Daqin Pagoda in Chang'an (Shaanxi). Daqin is the name for the Roman Empire or the Near East.

title: 640

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: An embassy led by Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas arrives in the capital Chang'an via an oversea route. They are greeted by Emperor Gao Zong, who orders the establishment of the first Chinese mosque.

title: 651

section: Events › By place › Arabian Caliphate

text: The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is constructed in Chang'an (modern Xi'an), during the Tang dynasty (China). It is completed in the same year, during the reign of Emperor Gao Zong.

title: 652

text: Emperor Kōtoku sends an embassy to the court of the Tang dynasty in China. Japanese ambassadors, priests and students sail for the capital Chang'an, but some of the ships are lost en route.

title: 653

text: Takamuko no Kuromaro, a Japanese diplomat, is sent to the Tang dynasty again, but dies upon his arrival in Chang'an.

title: 654

text: Li Xiăn, seventh son of the Chinese emperor Gao Zong, is made crown prince. His lavish palatial mansion in Chang'an is converted into a Daoist abbey during the Tang dynasty (approximate date).

title: 656

text: Baekje in southwestern Korea is conquered by an alliance of the Tang dynasty and Silla, led by general Su Dingfang and King Munmu of Silla. The Japanese envoys detained in Chang'an are paroled.

title: 660

section: Events › By place › Korea

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

text: July 2 – Emperor Zhong Zong has the remains of his mother and recently deceased ruling empress Wu Zetian, her son Li Xian, her grandson Li Chongrun, and granddaughter Li Xianhui, all interred in the same tomb complex as his father and Wu Zetian's husband Gao Zong, outside Chang'an, known as the Qianling Mausoleum, located on Mount Liang, which will then remain unopened until 1960.

title: 706

date: April 5

text: April 5 – Emperor Zhong Zong of the Tang dynasty has his chief ministers of court, sons-in-law, and high-ranking military officers engage (during the Cold Food Festival) in the festive game of tug of war, within a palace of Chang'an.

title: 710

text: In Chang'an, for the annual Lantern Festival of this year, recently abdicated emperor Rui Zong erects an enormous lantern wheel at a city gate, with a recorded height of 200 ft. The frame is draped in brocades and silk gauze, adorned with gold and jade jewelry, and when its total of some 50,000 oil cups is lit, the radiance of it can be seen for miles.

title: 713

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: Qapaghan Khan, ruler (khagan) of the Second Turkic Khaganate (Central Asia), is killed during a campaign against his rival Toquz Oghuz. His severed head is sent to Chang'an, capital of the Tang dynasty. Qapaghan is succeeded by his son Inel Khagan.

title: 716

section: Events › Byzantine Empire › Asia

text: In the Chinese capital of Chang'an, the walls of a gated city ward collapse during the night, which unexpectedly forms a large pool out in the open. This is most likely caused by a sinkhole created when ground water eroded the limestone bedrock beneath. As a consequence of this, more than 500 homes are destroyed (approximate date).

title: 720

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: Much to the delight of the citizens of Chang'an, the Chinese government of the Tang dynasty orders fruit trees to be planted along every main avenue of the city, which enriches not only the diets of the people but also the surroundings (approximate date)

title: 740

section: Health & Medicine

text: For the municipal census of the Chinese capital city Chang'an and its metropolitan area of Jingzhou (including small towns in the vicinity), the New Book of Tang records that in this year there are 362,921 registered families with 1,960,188 people.

title: 742

text: A Tang census shows that 75% of the Chinese live north of the Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River. The capital of Chang'an has a population of 2 million and more than 25 other cities have well over 500,000 citizens (approximate date).

title: 754

date: February 5

text: February 5 – An Lushan declares himself emperor at Luoyang, establishing a new empire, called the Great Yan. He pushes on towards the primary Tang capital at Chang'an (now Xi'an). An decides to seize southern China, to cut off loyalist reinforcements. Meanwhile, numerous soldiers join the rebellion.

title: 756

section: Events › By place › Chinese Empire

date: January 29

text: January 29 – An Lushan, leader of a revolt and emperor of Yan, is murdered by his own son An Qingxu at Luoyang. He succeeds his father, and appoints Shi Siming as his deputy. The military leaders of the Tang Dynasty are able to retake both of the capitals at Chang'an and at Luoyang. The rebel army is forced to retreat east.

title: AD 757

date: June

text: June – Abbasid Arabs and Uyghur Turks arrive simultaneously at the Tang capital of Chang'an, in order to offer tribute to the imperial court. The Arabs and Turks bicker and fight over diplomatic prominence at the gate, to present tribute before the other. A settlement is reached when both are allowed to enter at the same time, but through different gates to the palace.

title: 758

text: November 18 – Forces of the Tibetan Empire, under Trisong Detsen, occupy the Tang capital of Chang'an (modern Xi'an) for 15 days, and install a puppet emperor. Tibetans take over the horse pastures.

title: 763

text: At around this time, Baghdad becomes the largest city in the world, taking the lead from Chang'an, capital of China.

title: 775

text: July 13 – Wu Yuanheng, Chinese chancellor of the Tang Dynasty, is murdered by assassins of warlord Wu Yuanji, in Chang'an.

title: 815

text: In the capital of Chang'an, a powerful court eunuch orders 50 wrestlers to arrest 300 commoners over a land property dispute in Northwest Chang'an, whereupon a riot breaks out in the streets.

title: 828

text: December 14 – Sweet Dew Incident: Emperor Wenzong of Tang plots to free the court from the influence of his palace eunuchs. In the northeast sector of the capital, Chang'an, after the failure of the emperor's chancellor Li Zhongyan to subdue the eunuchs' influence, troops under the eunuchs' command slaughter many officials and other associates.

title: 835

text: In the Chinese capital of Chang'an, the West Market (and East Market) are closed every night one hour and three quarters before dusk (by government order); the curfew is signaled by the sound of 300 beats to a loud gong. After the official markets have been closed for the night, small night markets in residential areas thrive with plenty of customers, despite government efforts to shut them down. With the decline of the government's authority (by mid 9th century), this edict (like many others) is largely ignored, as urban dwellers keep attending the night markets regardless.

title: 841

text: In the Chinese capital of Chang'an, a large fire consumes 4,000 homes, warehouses and other buildings in the East Market, yet the rest of the city is at a safe distance from the blaze which is largely quarantined in East Central Chang'an, thanks to the large width of roads in Chang'an that produce fire breaks.

title: 843

text: In the Chinese capital city of Chang'an, an imperial prince is impeached during the Tang Dynasty from his position by officials at court, for erecting a building that obstructs a street in the northwesternmost ward in South Central Chang'an.

title: 849

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

text: Zhu Quanzhong has Chang'an, the capital of the Tang dynasty and the largest city in the ancient world, destroyed, and moves the materials to Luoyang, which becomes the new capital.

title: 904


slug: channel-islands

label: Channel Islands

description: archipelago in the English Channel

text: A storm separates the Channel Islands of Jethou and Herm.

title: 709

section: Events › By topic › Environmental change

text: William I ("Longsword"), duke of Normandy, recognises King Rudolph as his overlord. In turn he gives William the Cotentin Peninsula and the Channel Islands.

title: 933

section: Events › By place › Europe

text: The Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey decide, after a plebiscite of wealthy land owners, to remain with the English crown, after Normandy is recaptured by Philip II of France.

title: 1204

section: Events

text: King Henry III of England grants his eldest son the Lord Edward areas of land including crown lands in Wales, Ireland, the Channel Islands and Gascony. He is also given the cities of Bristol, Stamford and Grantham. The reason for these concessions is to give Edward experience of governing lands of his own before becoming a king. Edward is granted the Three Castles in Wales, Skenfrith Castle, White Castle and Grosmont Castle.

title: 1254

section: Events › By place › England

section: Culture & Society

date: August 6

text: August 6 – Sark, in the Channel Islands, is granted as a fief by Elizabeth I of England to Hellier de Carteret, Seigneur of Saint Ouen.

title: 1565

section: Events › July–September

date: June 1

text: June 1 – The office of Secretary of State for the Southern Department begins operations in the Kingdom of Great Britain, with responsibility for the colonies of British America in what will later become Canada and the United States, as well as for Ireland and for the Channel Islands. Sir Edward Nicholas, a former British Secretary of State, takes office as the first Southern Department secretary.

title: 1660

section: Events › April–June

section: Conflict & Security

date: January 6

text: January 6 – Battle of Jersey: British troops prevent the French from occupying Jersey in the Channel Islands.

title: 1781

section: Events › January–March

date: November 23

text: November 23 – The first roadside pillar boxes in the British Isles are brought into public use in Saint Helier, on Jersey in the Channel Islands, at the suggestion of English novelist Anthony Trollope, at this time an official of the British General Post Office.

title: 1852

section: Events › October–December

date: December 10

text: December 10 – The Channel Island of Sark, a British Crown dependency, holds its first fully democratic elections under a new constitutional arrangement, becoming the last European territory to abolish feudalism.

title: 2008

section: Events › December