On This Day: March 10th

First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates: The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing the First Punic War to an end.

French Huguenot Jean Calas, who had been wrongly convicted of killing his son, dies after being tortured by authorities; the event inspired Voltaire to begin a campaign for religious tolerance and legal reform.

An agreement between Nader Shah and Russia is signed near Ganja, Azerbaijan and Russian troops are withdrawn from occupied territories.

French "Sun King" Louis XIV begins his personal rule of France after the death of his premier, the Cardinal Mazarin.

Charles I dissolves the Parliament of England, beginning the eleven-year period known as the Personal Rule.

Susenyos I defeats the combined armies of Yaqob and Abuna Petros II at the Battle of Gol in Gojjam, making him Emperor of Ethiopia.

Spaniard Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the fourth Bishop of Panama, discovers the Galápagos Islands by chance on his way to Peru.

After establishing the city of Santo Domingo, Christopher Columbus departs for Spain, leaving his brother in command.

The Later Han is founded by Liu Zhiyuan. He declares himself emperor.

Roman Emperor Maximian concludes his campaign in North Africa and makes a triumphal entry into Carthage.