On this day: 10/01/-49

Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signalling the start of civil war.

On this day: 10/01/9

The Western Han dynasty ends when Wang Mang claims that the divine Mandate of Heaven called for the end of the dynasty and the beginning of his own, the Xin dynasty.

On this day: 10/01/69

Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus is appointed by Galba as deputy Roman Emperor.

On this day: 10/01/236

Pope Fabian succeeds Anterus to become the twentieth pope of Rome.

On this day: 10/01/1072

Robert Guiscard conquers Palermo in Sicily for the Normans.

On this day: 10/01/1430

Philip the Good, the Duke of Burgundy, establishes the Order of the Golden Fleece, the most prestigious, exclusive, and expensive order of chivalry in the world.

On this day: 10/01/1475

Stephen III of Moldavia defeats the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Vaslui.

On this day: 10/01/1645

Archbishop William Laud is beheaded for treason at the Tower of London.

On this day: 10/01/1776

American Revolution: Thomas Paine publishes his pamphlet Common Sense.

On this day: 10/01/1791

The Siege of Dunlap's Station begins near Cincinnati during the Northwest Indian War.