Fall of Romulus: End of Western Roman Empire (+ 10 more historical events on this day!)

A Daily Dose of History (04 Sep 2026)

Today's historical events:

Romulus Augustulus is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself "King of Italy", thus ending the Western Roman Empire.

Li Shimin, posthumously known as Emperor Taizong of Tang, assumes the throne over the Tang dynasty of China.

Battle of Lenzen: Slavic forces (the Redarii and the Obotrites) are defeated by a Saxon army near the fortified stronghold of Lenzen in Brandenburg.

The Sienese Ghibellines, supported by the forces of Manfred, King of Sicily, defeat the Florentine Guelphs at Montaperti.

Peter III of Aragon becomes the King of Sicily.

The Treaty of Alcáçovas is signed by the Catholic Monarchs of Castile and Aragon on one side and Afonso V and his son, Prince John of Portugal.

The Flight of the Earls takes place in Ireland.

In London, England, the most destructive damage from the Great Fire occurs.

New Caledonia is first sighted by Europeans, during the second voyage of Captain James Cook.

Los Angeles is founded as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora La Reina de los Ángeles (The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels) by 44 Spanish settlers.