457
Ancient
Leo I Becomes Byzantine Emperor
Leo I was crowned Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, the first emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople. This established a precedent for the religious coronation of Byzantine rulers.
On This Day in History
1795
Politics
11th Amendment Ratified
The 11th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, establishing sovereign immunity for states from lawsuits filed by citizens of other states or foreign countries.
1812
Culture
Charles Dickens Is Born
Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth, England. He would become the most popular English novelist of the Victorian era, creating beloved characters from Oliver Twist to Ebenezer Scrooge.
1900
War & Conflict
Boxer Rebellion Intensifies in China
Anti-foreign violence escalated in China as the Boxer movement gained strength. The uprising against Western and Japanese influence would lead to an international military intervention.
1940
Culture
Pinocchio Released by Walt Disney
Walt Disney released Pinocchio, the studio's second animated feature film. Though initially a box office disappointment, it became recognized as one of the greatest animated films ever made.
1964
Culture
Beatles Arrive in America
The Beatles landed at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, greeted by thousands of screaming fans. Their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show two days later launched Beatlemania in America.
1992
Politics
Maastricht Treaty Signed
The Treaty on European Union was signed in Maastricht, Netherlands. The treaty established the European Union and laid the groundwork for the single European currency, the euro.