What Happened Today in History on April 6

Halley's Comet makes a close appearance, before the Battle of Hastings in1066, which is believed to be captured on the Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered cloth depicting the events leading to the Norman conquest of England in 1066. Expand +

The Second Council of the Lateran, presided over by Pope Innocent II, begins.

Richard the Lionheart officially ascends to the throne of England.

King Richard I (the Lionheart) dies shortly after being wounded while besieging the castle of Châlus-Chabrol in France. His brother, John, becomes King of England with his coronation taking place on May 27, 1199. He was King of England until his death in 1216.

King Louis IX of France was captured by Egyptian forces on April 6, 1250, after being defeated during the seventh Crusade Battle of Fariskurin in a decisive victory by the Ayyubid forces. Louis IX was ransomed and later succumbed to dysentery on August 25, 1270 during the Eighth Crusade. His son, Philip III, succeeded him.

Traditional founding date of the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

The Declaration of Arbroath, a Scottish declaration of independence, is sent to Pope John XXII, asserting Scotland's sovereignty and independence from England on April 6, 1320.  Expand +

The Scots reaffirm their independence by signing the Declaration of Arbroath, asserting their right to self-determination.

John, Master of Aviz, is declared King John I of Portugal after defeating the Castilian forces in the Battle of Aljubarrota.

Mehmed II begins his siege of Constantinople, eventually leading to the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

The siege of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire led by Sultan Mehmed II begins. After a nearly two-month siege, the Ottomans captured the city on May 29, 1453, bringing about the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire's rule over the city, which was renamed Istanbul.

John Argyropoulos, a Greek philosopher and scholar, becomes the first to introduce Aristotelian studies in Italy.

Committee of Public Safety is formed in France, wielding significant power during the Reign of Terror.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is officially organized in Fayette, New York. More

Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Latter-day Saint, (LDS) movement, delivers a sermon in Kirtland, Ohio, introducing the Mormon Church's new doctrine of baptism for the dead.

The first modern Olympic Games open in Athens, Greece.

The United States enters World War I as the U.S Congress voted to declare war on Germany and to enter what optimistically was called the “Great War. More

The first successful flight around the world takes off from Seattle's Sand Point Naval Air Station. Eight U.S. Army Air Service pilots and mechanics in four airplanes left to carry out the first circumnavigation of the globe by air. They completed their mission 175 days later. More

The Rwandan Genocide erupts, leading to the mass slaughter of ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus, with neighbors turning on neighbors and family turning on family. Up to 1 million people on some accounts — were brutally slaughtered in just 100 days, leaving the once-beautiful country in ruins as the International community failed to intervine. Against all odds, Rwanda has made remarkable strides in the years since, showing resilience and determination. Despite the lasting scars, Rwanda’s journey of healing, reconciliation, and development stands as an inspiring testament to the unyielding spirit of its people. More

A massive immigration reform protest, known as the "Great American Boycott," takes place across the United States.

The discovery of the Higgs boson particle is announced by scientists at CERN.