Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV arrives at the fortress of Canossa, on January 25, 1077 beginning the famous Walk to Canossa to seek forgiveness from Pope Gregory VII after being excommunicated.
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What Happened Today in History on January 25
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 25th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Edward II of England is formally deposed, and his son, Edward III, becomes king.
King Edward III of England establishes the Order of the Garter, England's highest chivalric order.
Louis I of Anjou is crowned King of Naples, initiating the Angevin dynasty's rule in southern Italy.
During his third voyage, Christopher Columbus discovers the island "Isla de Margarita" off the coast of Venezuela.
Spanish conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa reaches the Pacific Ocean after crossing the Isthmus of Panama.
King Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn in a formal wedding. It is believed that he had previously married her secretly on November 14,1532, shortly after their return from Calais, possibly to legitimize their relationship as Anne was already pregnant.
The wedding lead to the English Reformation and the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. Catherine of Aragon was stripped of her titles, exiled, and confined to Kimbolton Castle, where she died on January 7, 1536, at the age of 50 potentially from cancer. Her grave in Peterborough Cathedral was initially marked with her lesser title of Princess Dowager of Wales, but was later changed to "Queen of England" in the 20th century.
The City of São Paulo is founded in Brazil. The city’s name derives from its having been founded by Jesuit missionaries on the anniversary of the conversion of St. Paul.
Geneva expels Catholic residents, following the escalation of religious tensions.
Elizabeth I of England signs the death warrant for Mary, Queen of Scots, who is executed three days later.
A document detailing the Gunpowder Plot is anonymously delivered to English authorities, leading to the plot's exposure.
The Bank of England is chartered by the English Parliament, becoming the first national bank in the world.
The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire.
The Treaty of Amiens is signed, temporarily ending hostilities between France and the United Kingdom during the Napoleonic Wars.
The Mexican War of Independence concludes with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba, recognizing Mexican independence from Spain.
The British East India Company captures Aden, establishing a strategic foothold in Yemen.
The United States battleship Maine is commissioned.
The Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever found is discovered near Pretoria in modern-day South Africa. It was named after the chairman of the mining company, Thomas Cullinan. In its uncut state, it weighed 3,106 metric carats with a size of 10.1 x 6.35 x 5.9 cm. with extraordinary blue-white color and exceptional clarity. The rough stone was gifted to King Edward VII in 1907 and cut into nine major diamonds named Cullinan I through IX, ranked from largest to smallest. More
A viral outbreak of the coronavirus begins in Wuhan, China, which later leads to a global pandemic.