555 A.D.
Death of Pope Vigilius, 59th successor of Peter, who convened the Fifth Ecumenical Council and ruled for 18 years. During his pontificate Justininian imposed the "Pragmatic Sanction." He escaped death numerous times during his papacy, especially when the Empress Theodora arrested him because he would not annul the condemnation of the Eutichian theories. He was arrested while celebrating Holy Mass but managed to successfully escape his captors on the way to prison.
1002 A.D.
Henry II, who would be coronated Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Benedict VIII, was elected on this day the King of Germany, succeeding Otto III.
1099 A.D.
The First Crusade arrives at the walls of Jerusalem in their effort to recover the Holy Land for Christianity.
1159 A.D.
Death of Saint Robert of Yorkshire or of Newminister where he is buried. This Benedictine monk founded abbeys and affiliated with the Cistercians, making his monasteries much-sought-after centers of holiness and austerity, which, after his death, became pilgrimage destinations.
1304 A.D.
Blessed Pope Benedict XI, under pressure from King Philip IV of France, nevertheless carries through in excommunicating the king's minister Guillaume de Nogaret for his major part in the attack at the Papal Palace in Anagni of Benedict's predecessor Pope Boniface VIII.
1498 A.D.
Explorer Christopher Columbus departs on his third voyage to the new world.