Early Modern
US Constitution (1787): Philadelphia Convention and Ratification
The convention replaced the Articles of Confederation with a new federal constitution, which was ratified in 1788 and took effect in 1789.
All Articles
Every Chronicle article on world history, newest first: battles, empires, disasters, discoveries and revolutions.
Early Modern
Siege of La Rochelle (1627–1628): Richelieu Crushes the Huguenots
La Rochelle surrendered after about fourteen months; the Peace of Alès (1629) ended the Huguenots' political and military privileges.
Early Modern
Willem Barentsz's Voyage (1596-1597): Winter on Novaya Zemlya
No Northeast Passage was found, but Bear Island and Spitsbergen were discovered and 12 of the 17 men who wintered on Novaya Zemlya returned home.
Contemporary
West African Ebola Epidemic (2013-2016): The Largest Outbreak
About 28,600 cases and more than 11,300 deaths were recorded before the epidemic ended in 2016, prompting reforms of global outbreak response and the first effective Ebola vaccine.
Contemporary
Tiananmen Square Protests 1989: Democracy Movement and Crackdown
The Chinese government declared martial law and used the army to end the protests on 3-4 June 1989, killing hundreds or possibly thousands of people.
Contemporary
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979): Start of a Decade War
Soviet forces killed Hafizullah Amin, installed Babrak Karmal and became trapped in a nine-year war against the mujahideen that ended with their withdrawal in February 1989.
Ancient World
Jin Reunification of China (280): The End of the Three Kingdoms
Wu surrendered to the Western Jin, reuniting China under one dynasty for the first time since the collapse of Han authority, though only for about a generation.
Ancient World
Assassination of Caligula (AD 41): The Murder of an Emperor
Caligula, his wife and his infant daughter were killed; the Praetorian Guard made his uncle Claudius emperor while the Senate debated restoring the Republic.
Ancient World
Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC): Philip II Conquers Greece
Decisive Macedonian victory; Philip II became master of mainland Greece and organised the League of Corinth under his leadership.
Ancient World
Library of Alexandria: Founding, Scholars and Destruction
Alexandria became the leading centre of Greek scholarship for centuries; the Library declined gradually and had disappeared by late antiquity.
Ancient World
Arsaces I and the Founding of the Parthian Empire
The Parni under Arsaces took Parthia and Hyrcania from Seleucid control and founded the Arsacid dynasty, which ruled Iran until AD 224.
Modern Era
Allied Invasion of Sicily (1943): Operation Husky
Allied victory; Sicily was taken in 38 days and Mussolini was overthrown, though about 100,000 German and Italian troops escaped to the mainland.