This Day That Year

April 1

in History

Justinian Named Heir — A nephew steps into the light of empire
Constantinople, Byzantine EmpireMedieval
527

Justinian Named Heir

A nephew steps into the light of empire

In the grand palace of Constantinople, Emperor Justin I made a fateful decision that would reshape civilization. He elevated his brilliant nephew Justinian as co-ruler and successor to the Byzantine throne. The young man who had risen from peasant origins in the Balkans would go on to reconquer lost Roman territories, codify Roman law, and commission the Hagia Sophia -- leaving an imprint on history that endures to this day.

527 AD
Crete's New Monarch — A Greek prince claims a restless island
Crete, GreeceEarly 20th Century
1900

Crete's New Monarch

A Greek prince claims a restless island

On the sun-drenched shores of Crete, Prince George of Greece and Denmark assumed absolute authority over the Cretan State. The second son of King George I, he became high commissioner during a turbulent era as Crete struggled between Ottoman rule and its dream of union with Greece. His reign marked a pivotal chapter in the long, winding road toward Cretan self-determination and eventual unification with the Greek homeland.

1900 AD
Television Infrared Observation Satellite — The TIROS-1 satellite transmits the first television picture from space.
Late 20th Century
1960

Television Infrared Observation Satellite

The TIROS-1 satellite transmits the first television picture from space.

The TIROS-1 satellite transmits the first television picture from space.

1960 AD