History Trivia - Vikings seize control of Eboracum (York)

November 1

193 Pertinax became emperor of Rome whose reign lasted three months.  He was known as the first emperor of the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.  He tried to restore discipline in the Praetorian Guards who rebelled and killed him.   

866 the Vikings seized control of Eboracum (York), the first major city to fall in their conquest of England. 

1512  Michelangelo's paintings on the ceiling of Sistine Chapel was first exhibited.

History Trivia - Sistine Chapel consecrated

August 15

 778 The Battle of Roncevaux Pass (Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain), at which Roland (commander of the rear guard of Charlemagne's army) was killed. The battle was romanticized by oral tradition into a major conflict between Christians and Muslims, when in fact both sides in the battle were Christian. The legend is recounted in the 11th century The Song of Roland, which is the oldest surviving major work of French literature, and in Orlando Furioso, which is one of the most celebrated works of Italian literature.

1309 – The city of Rhodes surrendered to the forces of the Knights of St. John, completing their conquest of Rhodes. The knights established their headquarters on the island and renamed themselves the Knights of Rhodes.

1483 Pope Sixtus IV consecrated the Sistine Chapel.

History Trivia - Romulus Augustulus proclaimed Western Roman Emperor

October 31

 834 1st All Hallows Eve (Halloween) observed to honor the saints.

475 Romulus Augustulus was proclaimed Western Roman Emperor. His deposition by Odoacer in 476 traditionally marks the end of the Western Roman Empire, the fall of ancient Rome, and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Western Europe.

1517 Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther published his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.  

1541 Michelangelo Buonarroti finishes painting The Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican

History Trivia - City of Rhodes surrenders to the forces of the Knights of St. John

August 15

 778 The Battle of Roncevaux Pass (Pyrenees on the border between France and Spain), at which Roland (commander of the rear guard of Charlemagne's army) was killed. The battle was romanticized by oral tradition into a major conflict between Christians and Muslims, when in fact both sides in the battle were Christian. The legend is recounted in the 11th century The Song of Roland, which is the oldest surviving major work of French literature, and in Orlando Furioso, which is one of the most celebrated works of Italian literature.

982 Holy Roman Emperor Otto II was defeated by the Saracens in the battle of Capo Colonna, in Calabria.

1248  The foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral, built to house the relics of the Three Wise Men, was laid.

 1309 – The city of Rhodes surrendered to the forces of the Knights of St. John, completing their conquest of Rhodes. The knights established their headquarters on the island and renamed themselves the Knights of Rhodes.

1457 "Mainz Psalter," the earliest dated book was completed.

1483 Pope Sixtus IV consecrated the Sistine Chapel.

1548 Mary Queen of Scotland arrived in France.

History Trivia - The Persian army defeats Leonidas and his Spartan army at Thermopylae

August 9

 480 BC The Persian army defeated Leonidas and his Spartan army at Thermopylae, Persia.

48 BC – Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus (Greece) – Julius Caesar decisively defeated Pompey at Pharsalus and Pompey fled to Egypt where he was later murdered. As a result Caesar had absolute control of Rome.

117 Hadrian became Roman Emperor upon the death of Trajan.

378 Gothic War: Battle of Adrianople – A large Roman army led by Emperor Valens was defeated by the Visigoths in present-day Turkey. Valens was killed along with over half of his army. 

1173 Construction of the campanile of the cathedral of Pisa (Leaning Tower of Pisa) begun; it would take two centuries to complete.

 1274 Edward I was crowned King of England.

1483 Opening of the Sistine Chapel in Rome with the celebration of a Mass.

History Trivia - All Hallows Eve

October 31

834 1st All Hallows Eve (Halloween) observed to honor the saints.

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475 Romulus Augustulus was proclaimed Western Roman Emperor. His deposition by Odoacer in 476 traditionally marks the end of the Western Roman Empire, the fall of ancient Rome, and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Western Europe.

1517 Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther published his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation. 

 1541 Michelangelo Buonarroti finishes painting The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican