Modern Era
Red River Resistance (1869-1870): Louis Riel and the Metis
The Metis-led provisional government negotiated the Manitoba Act of 1870, which made Red River the new province of Manitoba, before a military expedition arrived and Riel fled.
All Articles
Every Chronicle article on world history, newest first: battles, empires, disasters, discoveries and revolutions.
Modern Era
Becquerel Discovers Radioactivity (1896): Uranium's Rays
Becquerel showed that uranium gives off penetrating radiation on its own, the first observation of what Marie Curie would name radioactivity.
Modern Era
Mary Seacole in the Crimean War: Her British Hotel at Balaclava
Seacole ran a store, canteen and informal care station for British troops, returned home bankrupt, and became famous through her 1857 memoir.
Middle Ages
Mongol Invasions of Korea (1231-1259): How Goryeo Resisted
After nearly three decades of war Goryeo accepted Mongol overlordship in 1259 but kept its dynasty and a large measure of self-rule.
Middle Ages
Almohad Caliphate (1121-1269): Ibn Tumart's Reform Empire
A Berber religious movement replaced the Almoravids and ruled North Africa and al-Andalus until defeat in Spain and rebellions in Africa broke it up.
Middle Ages
Battle of Bannockburn (1314): Robert the Bruce Defeats England
Decisive Scottish victory; Stirling Castle surrendered and Bruce's kingship was secured, though England did not recognise Scottish independence until 1328.
Middle Ages
Battle of Edington (878): Alfred the Great Defeats the Danes
West Saxon victory; Guthrum's army surrendered after a siege, Guthrum accepted baptism and his army later withdrew to settle East Anglia.
Middle Ages
Jadwiga of Poland: The Girl Crowned King of Poland in 1384
Jadwiga reigned as monarch of Poland in her own right; her marriage to Jogaila created the Polish-Lithuanian union and the Jagiellonian dynasty.
Early Modern
Tennis Court Oath (1789): The Third Estate Defies the King
The deputies of the new National Assembly swore not to disband until France had a constitution, openly challenging royal authority.
Early Modern
Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II (1780–1781): Andean Uprising in Peru
The uprising was crushed and its leaders executed, but it forced Spain to abolish the hated forced-sale system and reorganise colonial government in the Andes.
Early Modern
Founding of Bangkok (1782): Rama I and the Chakri Dynasty
Bangkok replaced Thonburi as the capital of Siam and the Chakri dynasty, which still reigns in Thailand, was established.
Early Modern
Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Founding of Afghanistan (1747)
Ahmad Shah founded the Durrani Empire, the state from which modern Afghanistan developed, and made it the leading power between Persia and India.