May 21

in History

The Tetrarchy Begins — Four rulers for one vast empire

Roman EmpireClassical

293

The Tetrarchy Begins

Four rulers for one vast empire

In a radical experiment in imperial governance, Emperors Diocletian and Maximian appointed Galerius as Caesar in the East, inaugurating the Tetrarchy -- a system of government by four rulers. The innovation was born of necessity: the Roman Empire had grown too vast and too threatened for one man to govern. By dividing power among two senior emperors and two junior Caesars, Diocletian hoped to end the cycle of civil wars that had nearly destroyed Rome. For a time, it worked brilliantly.

293 AD

Horace Heidt Was Born — A bandleader who became America's entertainer

Alameda, California, United StatesEarly 20th Century

1901

Horace Heidt Was Born

A bandleader who became America's entertainer

In Alameda, California, Horace Heidt was born -- a pianist and bandleader who would become one of the most popular entertainers of the big band era. His orchestra, Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights, toured the vaudeville circuit and became a fixture of American radio and television during the 1930s and 1940s. His talent discovery shows launched careers and brought music into millions of American homes during a golden age of broadcast entertainment.

1901 AD

Late 20th Century

1961

American civil rights movement

American civil rights movement: Alabama Governor John Malcolm Patterson declares martial law in an attempt to restore.

American civil rights movement: Alabama Governor John Malcolm Patterson declares martial law in an attempt to restore order after race riots break out.

1961 AD