On This Day: December 22nd

The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Alexander Suvorov and his Russian armies.

Nguyễn Huệ proclaims himself Emperor Quang Trung, in effect abolishing on his own the Lê dynasty.

Sino-Burmese War: The war ends with the Qing dynasty withdrawing from Burma forever.

The forces of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, take control of Almería from the Nasrid ruler of Granada, Muhammad XII.

Pope Honorius III approves the Dominican Order through the papal bull of confirmation Religiosam vitam.

Three weeks after the death of King Henry I of England, Stephen of Blois claims the throne and is privately crowned King of England, beginning the English Anarchy.

Luoyang, eastern capital of the Tang dynasty, is captured by rebel leader Huang Chao during the reign of Emperor Xizong.

Damghan earthquake: An earthquake near the Persian city of Damghan kills an estimated 200,000 people, the sixth deadliest earthquake in recorded history.

Pope Innocent I is elected, the only pope to succeed his father in the office.

Vespasian is proclaimed Emperor of Rome; his predecessor, Vitellius, attempts to abdicate but is captured and killed at the Gemonian stairs.