Caffe Florian, Venice Image courtesy pf Caffe Florian Facebook page

On this day in history: Caffè Florian, Venice, opened

On 29thDecember 1720, Venice saw the opening of the iconic Caffè Florian, a cultural gem that has stood the test of time for over three centuries. Tucked under the arcades on the southern side of Piazza San Marco, Florian’s, as it is known today, is the oldest active coffee house in Italy, second only to […]

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A 19th-century vision of Charlemagne (742-814) by Casper Scheuren CREDIT: Bridgeman Art Library

On this day in history: Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor

The year 800 AD witnessed a historic and pivotal moment in European history as Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day. This event marked the revival of imperial authority in Western Europe and had profound implications for the political, religious, and cultural landscape of the continent.

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Pope Paul III who excommunicated England's King Henry VIII

On this day in history: Pope Paul III excommunicates England’s King Henry VIII

On December 17, 1538, Pope Paul III proclaimed the excommunication of King Henry VIII of England. However, the dissolution of the monasteries, rather than the king’s divorce of Catherine of Aragon was the final straw leading to his expulsion from the Catholic Church.

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