January 06
Overview
Holidays & Observances
ChristianFeast day:
André Bessette(Roman Catholic Church), January 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring Saint André Bessette in the Roman Catholic Church and marking liturgical observances of Theophany in the Eastern Orthodox tradition on January 6.
Christmas:
Christmas(Armenian Apostolic Church), Christmas Eve(Russia), Christmas Eve(Ukraine)
Christmas in the Armenian Apostolic Church and Christmas Eve observances in Russia and Ukraine on January 6.
Epiphanyor Three Kings' Day (Western Christianity) orTheophany(Eastern Christianity), and its related observances:
Little Christmas(Ireland), Þrettándinn(Iceland)
Epiphany or Three Kings' Day in Western Christianity and Theophany in Eastern Christianity, with related observances like Ireland's Little Christmas and Iceland's Þrettándinn.
André Bessette(Roman Catholic Church)
Feast day honoring Saint André Bessette, the 'Miracle Man' and founder of Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal.
January 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Theophany in Eastern Orthodox Christianity, commemorating Christ’s baptism and the sanctification of water.
Christmas(Armenian Apostolic Church)
Christmas celebration in the Armenian Apostolic Church, observing the Nativity on January 6.
Christmas Eve(Russia)
Christmas Eve observance in the Russian Orthodox Church on January 6, preceding the Julian calendar Christmas.
Christmas Eve(Ukraine)
Christmas Eve in Ukraine's Orthodox tradition, celebrated with a festive supper and midnight church service on January 6.
Little Christmas(Ireland)
Little Christmas in Ireland, marking the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas on January 6.
Events
Following the death of Edward the Confessor on the previous day, the Witan meets to confirm Harold Godwinson as the new King of England; Harold is crowned the same day, sparking a succession crisis that will eventually lead to the Norman conquest of England.
Harold Godwinson is confirmed and crowned King of England, triggering a succession crisis.
Philip of Swabia undergoes a second coronation as King of the Romans.
Philip of Swabia is crowned King of the Romans for a second time, reinforcing his claim to the imperial throne.
Stephen Uroš III is crowned King of Serbia, having defeated his half-brother Stefan Konstantin in battle. His son is crowned "young king" in the same ceremony.
Stephen Uroš III is crowned King of Serbia after winning a dynastic struggle.
Charles IV of Bohemia is crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy as King of Italy in Milan.
Charles IV of Bohemia is crowned King of Italy with the Iron Crown of Lombardy in Milan.
Constantine XI is crowned Byzantine Emperor at Mystras.
Constantine XI Palaiologos is crowned Byzantine Emperor at Mystras, becoming the last ruler of the empire.
The Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella enter Granada at the conclusion of the Granada War.
Ferdinand and Isabella enter Granada, marking the end of the Granada War and the completion of the Reconquista.
The first European school of higher learning in the Americas, Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco, is founded by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza and Bishop Juan de Zumárraga in Mexico City.
The Colegio de Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco is established as the first European higher education institution in the Americas.
King Henry VIII of England marries Anne of Cleves.
King Henry VIII of England marries Anne of Cleves in a politically arranged union.
The Union of Arras unites the southern Netherlands under the Duke of Parma (Ottavio Farnese), governor in the name of King Philip II of Spain.
The Union of Arras formalizes Spanish rule over the southern Netherlands.
Births
Gertrude the Great
German Cistercian abbess and mystic known for her influential spiritual writings.
King of England from 1377 to 1399 whose reign was marked by conflict with nobles.
Edmund Holland
English nobleman and military leader who served as the 4th Earl of Kent.
Joan of Arc
Heroine of France who led the Lancastrian forces to victory and was later canonized as a saint.
Martin Agricola
Renaissance composer and music theorist whose writings influenced the development of musical education.
Helius Eobanus Hessus
German humanist poet and scholar renowned for his Latin elegies and odes.
Olaus Petri
Leading figure of the Swedish Reformation who translated religious texts into Swedish.
John of Ávila
Spanish priest and mystic whose spiritual writings influenced the Counter-Reformation.
Caspar Peucer
German physician, mathematician, and astronomer known for his scientific treatises.
Deaths
Abo of Tiflis
Christian convert and martyr from Tiflis, revered as a saint in the Georgian Orthodox tradition.
Berengar of Tours
Medieval French scholar and theologian known for his debates on the Eucharist and predestination.
Gilbert de Clare
Anglo-Norman nobleman and military commander who played a key role in consolidating Norman rule in Ireland.
Matilda of Chester
Anglo-Norman noblewoman who served as Countess of Huntingdon and played a role in medieval Scottish and English politics.
Raymond of Penyafort
Catalan Dominican archbishop who compiled papal decretals and became a saint revered in canon law.
Giovanni I di Murta
Second Doge of the Republic of Genoa who strengthened the city's maritime republic during the mid-14th century.
Gertrude van der Oosten
Dutch Beguine mystic known for her deeply introspective writings and spiritual visions.
Roger Walden
English cleric who served as Bishop of London and briefly as Archbishop of Canterbury in the early 15th century.
Christopher of Bavaria
Medieval monarch who ruled Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under the Kalmar Union, striving to maintain unity among the kingdoms.