June 18

in History

The Tang Dynasty Begins — A new golden age dawns in China

Chang'an, ChinaMedieval

618

The Tang Dynasty Begins

A new golden age dawns in China

In the ancient capital of Chang'an, Li Yuan -- a provincial governor who had risen in rebellion against the crumbling Sui dynasty -- proclaimed himself emperor, founding the Tang dynasty. Under his rule and that of his brilliant son Li Shimin, the Tang would become one of the greatest empires in world history, presiding over a golden age of poetry, art, trade, and cosmopolitan culture. For three centuries, Tang China would be the most powerful and sophisticated civilization on Earth.

618 AD

Cixi Orders Foreigners Killed — An empress unleashes fury on the outside world

Beijing, ChinaEarly 20th Century

1900

Cixi Orders Foreigners Killed

An empress unleashes fury on the outside world

In the Forbidden City, Empress Dowager Cixi of China issued one of the most extraordinary orders in diplomatic history: the killing of all foreigners in China, including foreign diplomats and their families. The edict, issued at the height of the Boxer Rebellion, plunged China into open warfare with the world's major powers. The order's consequences would prove catastrophic for the Qing dynasty, hastening its collapse and subjecting China to decades of foreign humiliation.

1900 AD

Egyptian revolution of 1952 — The Egyptian revolution of 1952 ends with the overthrow of the Muhammad Ali dynasty and the declaration of the Republic of Egypt.

Late 20th Century

1953

Egyptian revolution of 1952

The Egyptian revolution of 1952 ends with the overthrow of the Muhammad Ali dynasty and the declaration of the Republic of Egypt.

1953 AD