February 08

Events

421day.year

Constantius III becomes co-emperor of the Western Roman Empire.

Constantius III is elevated to co-emperor alongside Honorius, aiming to bolster the faltering Western Roman Empire.
On February 8, 421, Flavius Constantius was named co-emperor of the Western Roman Empire alongside Emperor Honorius. The elevation occurred in Ravenna, the imperial residence, during a period of increasing pressure from invading barbarian tribes. Constantius had distinguished himself as a capable general and administrator, earning the trust of the court. His joint reign sought to address military and political challenges that threatened imperial stability. By sharing imperial duties, the two rulers hoped to project united authority across the empire's contested territories. This momentary arrangement reflects the empire's attempts to adapt its governance during its terminal decline. Although Constantius's reign was short-lived, he died later that year. Nevertheless, the dual emperorship underscores the fragility of Roman power in its final centuries.
421 Constantius III co-emperor Western Roman Empire
1238day.year

The Mongols burn the Russian city of Vladimir.

Mongol forces under Batu Khan burn the Russian city of Vladimir, marking a pivotal moment in the conquest of medieval Rus.
In February 1238, Mongol armies led by Batu Khan launched an assault on the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal. The strategic city of Vladimir fell after a brief siege, and the Mongols set its wooden walls and churches ablaze. Contemporary chronicles record that many inhabitants were slaughtered or taken prisoner, while the city's riches were looted. The destruction of Vladimir opened the way for further Mongol incursions into northeastern Rus. This event demonstrated the Mongol Empire's military might and spread terror across the region. The fall of Vladimir in 1238 marked a turning point that led to Mongol domination over Russian principalities for decades. The legacy of the sack is still remembered in Russian historical memory as a symbol of devastation and subjugation.
1238 Mongols Vladimir
1250day.year

Seventh Crusade: Crusaders engage Ayyubid forces in the Battle of Al Mansurah.

Crusader armies under King Louis IX engage Ayyubid forces at Al Mansurah, resulting in a critical clash during the Seventh Crusade.
On February 8, 1250, the Seventh Crusade's vanguard encountered Ayyubid defenders near the Nile Delta town of Al Mansurah. King Louis IX of France led the expedition, aiming to strike at the heart of Ayyubid power in Egypt. Despite early successes in Nilopolis, the Crusaders found the narrow streets and well-prepared defenders of Al Mansurah a formidable challenge. A deadly skirmish erupted as heavy cavalry charges faltered against fortified positions. Casualties mounted on both sides, and the battle became a test of endurance in the harsh riverine environment. The outcome would influence Louis's decision-making and the Crusaders' strategy in Egypt. Though initially pushing the Ayyubid forces back, the Crusaders would later suffer setbacks that culminated in Louis's capture. The Battle of Al Mansurah stands as a testament to the complexities and perils of medieval warfare in the Eastern Mediterranean.
1250 Seventh Crusade Ayyubid Battle of Al Mansurah
1347day.year

The Byzantine civil war of 1341–47 ends with a power-sharing agreement between John VI Kantakouzenos and John V Palaiologos.

After six years of internecine strife, John VI Kantakouzenos and John V Palaiologos reach a power-sharing agreement to end the Byzantine civil war.
By February 8, 1347, the Byzantine Empire's capital had endured six years of brutal civil war between rival claimants to the throne. John VI Kantakouzenos, supported by Ottoman auxiliaries, and the young co-emperor John V Palaiologos, backed by Byzantium's traditional elites, found themselves locked in a deadly stalemate. Exhausted by warfare, famine, and outbreaks of plague, both sides agreed to negotiate. The resulting treaty stipulated that John VI would rule as senior emperor while John V would eventually succeed him. This unprecedented arrangement aimed to restore stability to an empire weakened by internal division and external threats. The compromise also reflected shifting power dynamics, as regional magnates and mercenary forces gained influence. Despite the agreement, underlying tensions persisted, foreshadowing future conflict and the empire's gradual decline. The 1347 settlement highlights the Byzantine state's resilience and the complexities of medieval imperial politics.
1347 Byzantine civil war of 1341–47 John VI Kantakouzenos John V Palaiologos
1587day.year

Mary, Queen of Scots is executed on suspicion of having been involved in the Babington Plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.

Mary, Queen of Scots is executed for her alleged involvement in the Babington Plot, shocking courts across Europe.
On February 8, 1587, Mary Stuart, the former queen of Scotland, was beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England. Accused of conspiring to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, in the Babington Plot, Mary had spent nearly nineteen years in confinement. Her trial and subsequent execution polarized Protestant and Catholic powers across Europe, with many viewing her as a martyr for the Catholic cause. Elizabeth's decision, influenced by intense political and religious pressures, marked a turning point in Anglo-Scottish relations. Mary's death eliminated a focal point for plots against Elizabeth but inflamed tensions between England and Catholic monarchies abroad. The execution also paved the way for the eventual union of the English and Scottish crowns under Mary's son, James VI of Scotland. Mary's dramatic life and tragic end have inspired countless works of art, literature, and historical debate. The events of February 8, 1587, remain a compelling chapter in the saga of Tudor-era intrigue and conflict.
1587 Mary, Queen of Scots Babington Plot Queen Elizabeth I
1601day.year

Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, unsuccessfully rebels against Queen Elizabeth I.

Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, leads an ill-fated rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I, ending in his rapid arrest and downfall.
On February 8, 1601, the Earl of Essex, once a favorite of Elizabeth I, mobilized armed supporters in London in a bid to seize control of the capital. Motivated by political frustration and financial debt, Essex sought to force the queen's advisors to grant him greater influence and resources. The poorly planned uprising lacked sufficient support and quickly disintegrated as loyalist forces surrounded his followers. Essex surrendered at Essex House and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. His high-profile trial for treason captivated the nation, highlighting the dangers of courtly ambition. Found guilty, he was beheaded on February 25, 1601, marking a dramatic fall from favor. The episode exposed deep fissures within the Elizabethan government and foreshadowed succession anxieties. Essex's rebellion remains a vivid example of personal ambition colliding with royal authority in early modern England.
1601 Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex unsuccessfully rebels
1693day.year

The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, the second-oldest institution of higher education in the Thirteen Colonies, is granted a charter by King William III and Queen Mary II.

The College of William & Mary receives its royal charter, becoming the second-oldest institution of higher education in the Thirteen Colonies.
On February 8, 1693, the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, was formally chartered by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. Founded just thirty years after Harvard, it became the second institution of higher learning in the English colonies. The college was named in honor of the reigning monarchs, reflecting its loyalty to the crown and Anglican roots. From its earliest days, it attracted scholars and students eager for classical and theological education. William & Mary alumni would later include signers of the Declaration of Independence, prominent jurists, and statesmen who shaped the emerging United States. The charter granted the college powers to confer degrees, maintain a library, and establish a grammar school. Over the centuries, the institution expanded its curriculum and campus, retaining its historic ties to colonial and national heritage. Today, it stands as a testament to the enduring value placed on education in America's formative years.
1693 College of William & Mary Williamsburg, Virginia second-oldest institution higher education Thirteen Colonies King William III Queen Mary II
1807day.year

Napoleon defeats the coalition forces of Russian General Bennigsen and Prussian General L'Estocq at the Battle of Eylau.

Napoleon Bonaparte secures a hard-fought victory against Russian and Prussian forces at the Battle of Eylau in brutal winter conditions.
On February 8, 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte faced combined Russian forces under General Bennigsen and Prussian troops led by General L'Estocq near Eylau in East Prussia. The battle unfolded in freezing temperatures and deep snow, which hampered movement and coordination. Despite fierce resistance and heavy losses, French cavalry reserves executed a decisive charge that turned the tide. The carnage was among the bloodiest of the Napoleonic Wars, with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides. Although the French claimed victory, they failed to annihilate the enemy, leading to strategic stalemate. The engagement exposed the limitations of Napoleon's tactics in winter warfare and prompted both sides to reconsider their campaign plans. The Battle of Eylau remains notable for its grim conditions and the dramatic impact of battlefield improvisation. It highlighted the human cost of the Napoleonic era and set the stage for subsequent clashes in Poland and beyond.
1807 Napoleon coalition forces Russian General Bennigsen Prussian General L'Estocq Battle of Eylau
1817day.year

An army led by Grand Marshal Las Heras crosses the Andes to join San Martín in the liberation of Chile from Spain.

General Juan Gregorio de las Heras leads his army across the Andes to join José de San Martín, advancing the drive for Chilean independence.
On February 8, 1817, forces commanded by General Juan Gregorio de las Heras completed a treacherous crossing of the Andes mountain range. Braving high altitudes, severe weather, and rough terrain, the army overcame logistical nightmares to link up with José de San Martín's veteran troops. This strategic convergence near Mendoza formed the Army of the Andes, ready to launch the Chilean campaign. Just days later, the combined forces achieved victory at the Battle of Chacabuco, opening the road to Santiago. Las Heras's contingent played a vital role in securing the independence of Chile from Spanish control. The operation demonstrated remarkable planning and the resilience of patriot soldiers committed to liberation. The successful Andes crossing remains celebrated as a milestone of South American revolutionary warfare. It cemented the reputation of San Martín and Las Heras as ingenious military leaders.
1817 An army Grand Marshal Las Heras crosses the Andes San Martín liberation of Chile Spain
1837day.year

Richard Johnson becomes the first and only Vice President of the United States chosen by the Senate.

Senators select Richard Mentor Johnson as Vice President after an Electoral College deadlock, the only time the Senate has decided that office.
After the 1836 presidential election failed to produce a clear vice presidential majority in the Electoral College, the U.S. Senate exercised its constitutional authority to decide the outcome. On February 8, 1837, Senator Richard Mentor Johnson of Kentucky was selected as Vice President, making him the only individual to attain that office by a Senate vote. Johnson, known for his frontier military service during the War of 1812, had a controversial personal life that fueled political debate. The Senate's decision underscored tensions within the Democratic Party and questions about electoral process reforms. Martin Van Buren had already been chosen President by the Electoral College, and Johnson joined him in office on March 4. Johnson's vice presidency faced scrutiny over his relationship with an enslaved woman and their mixed-race daughter, issues that polarized contemporaries. Despite this, he served a full term until 1841 but was not renominated. The episode remains a unique footnote in U.S. constitutional history, illustrating the flexibility and complexity of the early electoral system.
1837 Richard Johnson Vice President of the United States Senate
1865day.year

Delaware refuses to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, delaying the criminalization of slavery until the amendment's national adoption on December 6, 1865. The amendment is ultimately ratified by Delaware on February 12, 1901, the 92nd anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.

Delaware initially rejects the Thirteenth Amendment, delaying the criminalization of slavery within the state.
On February 8, 1865, the state of Delaware refused to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This decision prevented the amendment’s provisions outlawing slavery from taking effect in Delaware until nationwide ratification was achieved. The amendment was officially adopted across the country on December 6, 1865, abolishing slavery in all states. Delaware’s legislature finally ratified the amendment on February 12, 1901, coinciding with the 92nd anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The long delay reflected deep regional divisions and the state’s complex post–Civil War politics. This episode highlights how constitutional change often required both federal action and state agreement in the Reconstruction era.
1865 Delaware Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution criminalization of slavery Abraham Lincoln's
1879day.year

Sandford Fleming first proposes the adoption of Universal Standard Time at a meeting of the Royal Canadian Institute.

Engineer Sandford Fleming proposes Universal Standard Time, laying the groundwork for global timekeeping.
On February 8, 1879, Canadian engineer Sandford Fleming introduced the concept of Universal Standard Time at the Royal Canadian Institute in Toronto. Fleming argued that the world needed a unified system of time measurement to simplify scheduling for the rapidly expanding railway networks. His proposal divided the globe into 24 time zones, each one hour apart, based on meridians of longitude. This innovative plan aimed to eliminate the chaos of local mean times that varied from town to town. Though not adopted immediately, Fleming’s time zone system eventually became the international standard. Today, Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) owes its origins to Fleming’s pioneering work in time standardization.
1879 Sandford Fleming Universal Standard Time Royal Canadian Institute