View Historical Events by Day:
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 14th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
We do our best to provide accurate information but would appreciate being notified if any incorrect information is found. You may do so by using our Feedback link.
The Yorkists led by 18-year old Edward, Earl of March, defeat the Lancastrians, at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross on February 2, 1461, during the English Wars of the Roses. The Lancastrian leader, Owen Tudor. was captured and executed. The victory helped Edward claim the throne as King Edward IV.
Edward IV, was proclaimed King of England on March 4, 1461, following his father's death, and formally crowned on June 28, 1461, at Westminster Abbey.
François I of France is crowned king in Reims.
French explorer Samuel de Champlain becomes the first known to sight, map, and describe the lake Champlain in North America on July 14, 1609. He named the lake after himself.
Champlain arrived at the lake traveling up the Richelieu River (then known as the Iroquois River) with a group of Algonquin, Huron, and Montagnais allies. Shortly after, on July 29, 1609, Champlain and his allies engaged in a battle against the
Galileo Galilei discovers Callisto, the fourth moon of Jupiter.
The Puritan political leaders in Connecticut, representing the populations of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield, approved and adopted on January 14, 1639 a set of written laws agreed upon by the colonists, known as the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.
The document stated the powers and limits of government. This document is believed by many to be the first ever, complete, written constitution in the history of the world. Although the date on the document reads 1638 due to colonial dating conventions, the orders were fully adopted in early 1639.
The Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) conquers Malacca from the Portuguese on January 14, 1641, securing Dutch control over the vital Malacca Strait and marked a significantly weakening Portuguese power in Southeast Asia and solidifying VOC dominance in the spice trade.
King Charles II disbands the English Parliament on January 24, 1679 due to constant conflicts over foreign policy, taxation and the perceived belief of his secret Catholicism and his favoritism of Catholics.
The final breakdown involved intense opposition to James, Duke of York (the future James II), and efforts to exclude him from the succession, culminating in Parliament's dissolution in 1681. Charles II ruled without Parliament, relying on subsidies from France, until his death in 1685.
Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe," is rescued after being marooned on an island for four years.
The English Parliament passes the American Revenue Act, which initiates the taxation of the American colonies.
The Continental Congress ratifies the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, officially establishing the United States as an independent and sovereign nation. The treaty, signed in Paris on September 3, 1783, required Congress to return the ratified document to England within six months. More
Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden on January 14, 1814 following the Treaty of Kiel between Sweden and Denmark-Norway. The measure was as punishment for siding with Napoleonic France in the Napoleonic Wars.
The Independent Labor Party of the UK holds its founding meeting on January 14-16, 1893. The conference was chaired by William Henry Drew and was held in Bradford at the Bradford Labour Institute and MP Keir Hardie was elected as its first chairman. About 130 delegates were in attendance at the conference, i
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issues Presidential Proclamation 2537 , requiring."All alien enemies" within the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, to obtain a certificate of identification and carry it "at all times". Along with travel and access restrictions. More
The Casablanca Conference begins between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to plan Allied strategy during World War II.
The Hudson Motor Car Company merges with Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, forming American Motors Corporation (AMC).
The USSR ends its state of war with Germany.
George Wallace is inaugurated as Governor of Alabama and delivers his infamous "Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" speech.
The European Space Agency's Huygens probe lands on Saturn's moon Titan on January 14 2005, marking the first successful landing in the outer Solar System. The landing provided data about Titan surface and atmosphere. The Huygens probe was released from the Cassini–Huygens spacecraft, commonly called Cassini, The space-research mission was conducted by NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency. More
Tunisia's President Ben Ali flees the country, marking the start of the Arab Spring.
