Browse Historical Events by Month: What Happened in January?

Stephen I becomes the first Christian king of Hungary following his coronation.

Vikings led by Leif Erikson land in present-day Canada, possibly becoming the first Europeans to reach North America.

Emperor Otto III, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, dies unexpectedly at the age of 22.

Henry II becomes King of Germany after the death of his father, Henry the Quarrelsome.

King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark dies, and his son, Cnut the Great, becomes king of Denmark.

Edmund Ironside, King of England, dies, solidifying Cnut the Great's rule over England.

Constantine VIII, Byzantine Emperor, dies, ending the Macedonian dynasty.

King Canute the Great of England and Denmark dies, leading to disputes over succession.

The influential Chinese poet Su Shi, art name Dongpo is born in Meishan, near Mount Emei in Sichuan province. He died on August 24 1101, leaving behind him a prolific collection of poems, lyrics, prose, and essays. His poetry had enduring popularity and influence in China and other areas in the near vicinity such as Japan. He is well known in some English-speaking countries through translations by Arthur Waley and Stephen Owen, among others. 

Pope Clement II, who had been installed by Emperor Henry III, dies suddenly.

Edward the Confessor, King of England, dies, leading to a succession crisis and the events of the Norman Conquest.

Harold Godwineson, head of the most powerful noble family in England, is crowned King Harold II, following the death of Edward the Confessor, leading to a war of succession involving Tostig, brother of Harold, King Harald III Hardraade of Norway and William, duke of Normandy. King Harold managed to fight and kill Tostig and King Harald III at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York but was himself soon defeated and killed by William at the Battle of Hastings. Almost a year after Edward the Confessor's death, on Christmas Day, 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned the first Norman king of England. More

Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV arrives at the fortress of Canossa, beginning the famous Walk to Canossa to seek forgiveness from Pope Gregory VII.

Sultan Malik Shah I, ruler of the Seljuk Empire, dies, leading to a period of internal strife.

The Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England, is completed by order of William the Conqueror.

Prince Vsevolod I becomes Grand Prince of Kiev, marking a significant period in Kievan Rus' history.

Alfonso VI of León and Castile conquers the city of Valencia from the Moors.

The Council of Clermont begins, where Pope Urban II delivers a sermon urging Christians to reclaim the Holy Land, sparking the First Crusade.

Crusaders led by Bohemond I of Antioch begin the siege of Antioch during the First Crusade.

Crusaders under Raymond IV of Toulouse capture Ma'arrat al-Numan in Syria during the First Crusade.