Middle Ages
Ferdinand and Isabella (1469): The Marriage That Made Spain
The marriage united the heirs of Castile and Aragon; after Isabella won the War of the Castilian Succession, the two crowns were ruled jointly from 1479.
All Articles
Every Chronicle article on world history, newest first: battles, empires, disasters, discoveries and revolutions.
Ancient World
Zenobia and the Palmyrene Empire (270-273): Revolt in the East
Aurelian defeated Zenobia in 272, captured her and destroyed Palmyra after a second revolt in 273, restoring Roman rule in the east.
Modern Era
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima (1945): The First Nuclear Attack
The first use of a nuclear weapon in war destroyed most of Hiroshima and killed an estimated 90,000–140,000 people by the end of 1945.
Middle Ages
Zheng He's Treasure Voyages (1405–1433): Ming China at Sea
Seven state-sponsored expeditions spread Ming prestige and the tribute system across the Indian Ocean, then ended abruptly after 1433 and were never repeated.
Middle Ages
Battle of Towton (1461): The Bloodiest Battle on English Soil
Decisive Yorkist victory; Edward IV secured the throne and Henry VI fled to Scotland.
Ancient World
Decian Persecution (250): The First Empire-Wide Persecution
Many Christians sacrificed or bought certificates and some were executed; the persecution ended by 251 but left a lasting dispute over the readmission of the lapsed.
Modern Era
VE Day (1945): Victory in Europe and the German Surrender
Germany surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, ending the war in Europe; Victory in Europe Day was celebrated on 8 May in the West and on 9 May in the Soviet Union.
Middle Ages
Yongle Encyclopedia (1403–1408): Ming China's Giant Compendium
A manuscript compendium of 22,877 chapters in 11,095 volumes was completed; it was never printed, and fewer than 4 per cent of its volumes survive today.
Middle Ages
Wars of the Roses (1455-1487): Lancaster Against York
The House of York won the throne in 1461 and lost it in 1485 to Henry Tudor, whose marriage to Elizabeth of York founded the Tudor dynasty.
Ancient World
Crisis of the Third Century (235-284): Empire on the Brink
The empire fragmented and nearly collapsed, but was reunited by Aurelian and reorganised by Diocletian, emerging as a more militarised and centralised state.
Modern Era
Battle of Berlin (1945): The Fall of the Third Reich's Capital
Soviet victory; Berlin surrendered on 2 May 1945, two days after Hitler's suicide, and Germany surrendered unconditionally within a week.
Modern Era
Anschluss (1938): Nazi Germany's Annexation of Austria
Austria was annexed to Nazi Germany without military resistance and ceased to exist as a state until 1945; persecution of Jews and opponents began immediately.