This Day That Year

October 28

in History

Nerva Adopts Trajan — A Praetorian ultimatum reshapes imperial succession
Rome, Roman EmpireClassical
97

Nerva Adopts Trajan

A Praetorian ultimatum reshapes imperial succession

Under intense pressure from the Praetorian Guard, the aging Emperor Nerva was compelled to adopt the celebrated general Marcus Ulpius Trajanus as his heir. The forced adoption proved a masterstroke of succession, as Trajan would become one of Rome's greatest emperors, expanding the empire to its maximum extent and earning the title Optimus Princeps, the best ruler.

97 AD
Ambrogio Gianotti Born — A priest who chose resistance over silence
ItalyEarly 20th Century
1901

Ambrogio Gianotti Born

A priest who chose resistance over silence

In Italy, Ambrogio Gianotti was born into a world he would one day risk his life to defend. As a Catholic priest during World War II, he joined the Italian resistance movement, becoming a partigiano who fought against fascism and Nazi occupation. His dual calling as man of God and man of action embodied the moral courage of Italy's wartime resistance.

1901 AD
St. Louis — In St.
Late 20th Century
1965

St. Louis

In St.

In St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., the 630-foot (190 m)-tall steel catenary Gateway Arch was completed.

1965 AD