Day In History
This Day in History
Today: January 8, 2026
307
Sima Chi becomes emperor of the Jin dynasty in succession to his father, Sima Zhong, despite a challenge from his uncle, Sima Ying.[1]
871
Æthelred I and Alfred the Great lead a West Saxon army to repel an invasion by Danelaw Vikings.[2]
1297
François Grimaldi, disguised as a monk, leads his men to capture the fortress protecting the Rock of Monaco, establishing his family as the rulers of Monaco.[3]
1454
The papal bull Romanus Pontifex awards the Kingdom of Portugal exclusive trade and colonization rights to all of Africa south of Cape Bojador.[4]
1499
Louis XII of France marries Anne of Brittany in accordance with a law set by his predecessor, Charles VIII.[5]
1547
The first Lithuanian-language book, the Catechism of Martynas Mažvydas, is published in Königsberg.[6]
1735
The premiere of George Frideric Handel's Ariodante takes place at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.[7]
1746
Second Jacobite rising: Bonnie Prince Charlie occupies Stirling.[8]
1790
George Washington delivers the first State of the Union address in New York City.[9]
1806
The Dutch Cape Colony in southern Africa becomes the British Cape Colony as a result of the Battle of Blaauwberg.[10]
Auto-scrolling
