Lest We Forget: Fourth of July

Many people, most people if you are talking about Americans, think of fireworks and the Declaration of Independence, of picnics and the old red, white and blue, when they hear "Fourth of July". Of course the day existed long before 1776, which may as well be the realm of science fiction as far as I am concerned. Here are some other events that took place on the day in a more familiar time period.

836 – Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples

907 – Death of Luitpold, Margrave of Bavaria


943 – Death of Taejo of Goryeo, ruler of Korea (b. 877) (pictured)

965 – Death of Pope Benedict V, Italian Roman Catholic Pope (b. unknown)

973 – Death of Ulrich of Augsburg, German bishop (b. 890) (statue pictured)

993 – Saint Ulrich of Augsburg is canonized.


1054 – A supernova is observed by the Chinese, the Arabs and possibly Amerindians near the star Tauri. For several months it remains bright enough to be seen during the day. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula. (pictured: a supernova)

1120 – Jordan II of Capua is anointed as prince after his infant nephew's death.

1187 – Death of Raynald of Chatillon, Prince of Antioch (pctured left)

1187 – The Crusades: Battle of Hattin – Saladin defeats Guy of Lusignan, King of Jerusalem. (pictured right)

1253 – Battle of West-Capelle: John I of Avesnes defeats Guy of Dampierre.

1330 – Birth of Ashikaga Yoshiakira, Japanese shogun (d. 1367) (pctured)

1359 – Francesco II Ordelaffi of Forlì surrenders to the Papal commander Gil de Albornoz.

1456 – The Siege of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) begins. (Part of the Ottoman wars in Europe) (pcitured)

1534 – Christian III is elected King of Denmark and Norway in the town of Rye. (pctured left)

1541 – Death of Pedro de Alvarado, Spanish explorer (b. 1495)

1546 – Death of Hayreddin Barbarossa, Admiral of the Ottoman Navy (b. 1478) (pctured)

1546 – Birth of Murat III, Ottoman Sultan (d. 1595)


1569 – The King of Poland and the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Sigismund II Augustus finally sign the document of union between Poland and Lithuania, creating new country known as Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. This is the flag of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Source: Wikipedia