c. 1014, March
Murasaki Shikibu, Japanese author of "The Tale of Genji," considered to be the worlds first novel, dies in Japan, c. 1014, during the Heian period (794 - 1185) which is considered the golden age of Japanese classical culture.
View Historical Events by Day:
On This Day in History: March 25
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on March 25th. 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Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material.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.
King Richard I of England ("The Lionheart") is wounded in his shoulder by a crossbow bolt, on March 25, 1199, while besieging the French castle of Châlus-Chabrol. He died from a resulting gangrene infection on April 6, 1199.
Robert the Bruce claims the Scottish throne shortly after killing his rival John Comyn and is crowned King of Scots on March 25, 1306, by Bishop William de Lamberton at the traditional site of Scone. He was crowned a second time the next day by Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan, to fulfill tradition and further legitimize his claim.
The Portuguese succession crisis of 1580 is resolved when King Philip II of Spain is declared Philip I of Portugal, on March, 25, 1581, bringing Portugal under Spanish rule and beginning 60 years of Iberian union under the House of Habsburg.
The first settlers arrive in Maryland on March 25, 1634, landing at St. Clements Island in today's St. Mary’s County. On this island, the first Roman Catholic Mass in the English-speaking colonies was celebrated. The colony of Maryland was founded so that the English Catholics could have a place to live where they could escape the intolerance of the English monarchy.
Officially the colony is said to be named in honor of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I although some Catholic scholars believe that George Calvert, who was a publicly declared Catholic named the province after Mary, the mother of Jesus. The name in the charter was phrased Terra Mariae, anglice, Maryland. Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore never travelled to Maryland. More
Dutch astronomer, Christiaan Huygens discovers Titan, Saturn's largest moon on March 25, 1655, using a high-powered telescope of his own design. It was the first moon of Saturn ever discovered confirming it as a major satellite. Huygens probe landed in Titan in 2005
The window tax, a property tax based on the number of windows in a house became law on March 25, 1696. The Act was passed during the 1695 parliamentary session with the 1696 effectivity.
The Congressional Gold Medal was established on March 25, 1776, by the Continental Congress. It was initially intended to recognize military leaders during the American Revolution. but broadened later to include civilians, explorers, scientists, and humanitarians.
The first medal was authorized for General George Washington to honor his "wise and spirited conduct" in forcing the British evacuation of Boston. It was later broadened to include civilians, explorers, scientists, and humanitarians. Congressional Gold Medals are awarded through a specific Act of Congress that must be passed by both the House and Senate and signed into law by the President. Each medal is uniquely designed and struck by the U.S. Mint to specifically honor the particular individual, institution, or event for which it was awarded. Gold Medal Recipients List
The Treaty of Amiens is signed between England and France on March 25, 1802 briefly ending hostilities during the French Revolutionary Wars, during which Britain restored most colonial possessions, and France agreed to withdraw from parts of Italy.
The Treaty of Amiens is signed on March 25, 1802, by France and Britain and representatives from Spain and the Batavian Republic during the French Revolutionary Wars It temporarily end hostilities between France and the United Kingdom; however the peace ended on May 18, 1803, when Britain declared war again, starting the Napoleonic Wars.
The British Parliament passed the Slave Trade Act on March 25, 1807 abolishing slave trade throughout the British Empire; establishing a penalty of £120 per slave for ship captains violating the law. However, slaves in the colonies (excluding areas ruled by the East India Company) were not freed until 1838 – and only after slave-owners, rather than the slaves themselves, received compensation. More
Percy Bysshe Shelley and a fellow student Thomas Jefferson Hogg are expelled from the University of Oxford on March 25, 1811, for publishing "The Necessity of Atheism and for their refusal to disavow authorship and responsibility for distribution.
Martin Luther King Jr. leads his first anti-war march, on March 25, 1967, in Chicago. Reinforcing the connection between war abroad and injustice at home: “The bombs in Vietnam explode at home... destroy the dream and possibility for a decent America”. More