950s facts for kids

The 950s were a busy time in history, filled with important events across the world. From new empires rising in China to major battles in Europe, and the births and deaths of powerful rulers and thinkers, this decade shaped the future in many ways. Let's explore some of the key moments that happened between 950 and 959.

The Year 950

• The world's population was estimated to be around 250 million people. That's a lot, but much less than today!
• Duke Boleslav I of Bohemia made a peace agreement with Otto I the Great, a powerful German king. This helped bring some calm to the region.
• The Later Han Dynasty in China came to an end, marking a big change in Chinese history.

New People Born in 950

• June 12 – Emperor Reizei of Japan, who would later rule the country.
• Erik the Red, a famous Norse explorer who explored Greenland.

Important People Who Died in 950

• Hywel Dda ("the Good"), a respected king of Wales.
• Al-Farabi, a very smart philosopher and scientist.

The Year 951

• Allat, the Maharana of Mewar (a region in India), became a powerful ruler.
• The Later Zhou Dynasty was started by Guo Wei in China. This was another new chapter for China.
• The Northern Han Kingdom was also founded by Liu Min in northern China, showing how China was divided into different kingdoms at this time.

New People Born in 951

• Gregory of Narek, an Armenian monk, poet, and theologian known for his writings.
• Saint Romuald, who later became a very important religious figure.

Important People Who Died in 951

• Emperor Shizong of Liao from the Liao Dynasty.
• January 2 – Liu Chengyou, also known as Emperor Yin of the Later Han Dynasty.

The Year 952

• Kalbid forces won a battle against the Byzantines in Calabria, a region in southern Italy.

New People Born in 952

• Emperor Gongdi of Later Zhou, who would become an emperor in China.

Important People Who Died in 952

• Emperor Suzaku of Japan.
• Hugh, Duke of Burgundy, a powerful noble in France.

The Year 953

• Liudolf, Duke of Swabia and Conrad the Red started a rebellion against German King Otto I the Great. This was a big challenge to Otto's power.

New People Born in 953

• Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, a noble in what is now Belgium and the Netherlands.
• Herbert III, Count of Vermandois, a French count.
• Al-Karaji, a Persian mathematician and engineer who made important discoveries.
• Kisai Marvazi, a Persian poet.

Important People Who Died in 953

• Abas I of Armenia, the King of Armenia.
• Ismail al-Mansur, the third Fatimid Caliph, a religious and political leader.
• Empress Dowager Yingtian of the Liao Dynasty.
• Rasso, a Bavarian count and a respected saint.

The Year 954

• King Máel Coluim I of Scotland was killed in a battle. He was then replaced by Indulf I of Scotland.
• Chateau Chinon, a famous castle, was built by Theobald I of Blois in France.
• Edred became the king of all England.

New People Born in 954

• Alphege, who would later become the Archbishop of Canterbury, a very important religious leader in England.

Important People Who Died in 954

• September 10 – King Louis IV of France.
• King Eric I of Norway, a Viking king.
• Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou, the founder of a Chinese dynasty.

The Year 955

• August 10 – Otto I the Great won a very important battle against the Magyars at the Battle of Lechfeld. This victory stopped the Magyars from invading Western Europe.
• Eadwig became the King of England.
• December 16 – Pope John XII became the 130th pope, taking over from Pope Agapetus II.

New People Born in 955

• Ælfric of Eynsham, an English abbot and writer.

Important People Who Died in 955

• November 23 – Eadred, the King of England.

The Year 956

• A strong earthquake caused a lot of damage to the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Important People Who Died in 956

• April 8 – Gilbert, Duke of Burgundy, a powerful duke in France.
• Ali al-Masudi, an Arab historian, geographer, and philosopher.

The Year 957

• Japan: The Tenryaku Era ended, and the Tentoku Era began, marking a new period in Japanese history.
• The Chandra Hindu Dynasty in India ended, leading to a time of disorder in some areas.
• Olga of Kiev, a powerful ruler, converted to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which was a big step for Christianity in Eastern Europe.

New People Born in 957

• Gormlaith of Lienster, who became an important queen in Ireland.

Important People Who Died in 957

• September 6 – Liudolf, Duke of Swabia, who had rebelled against Otto I.

The Year 958

• The Marche dynasty likely began around this time.
• King Kshemgupta of Kashmir died, and his young son Abhimanyu took over. However, Abhimanyu's mother, Didda, became the real ruler.
• The Later Zhou Dynasty tried to attack Liao Dynasty positions but were defeated.
• Battle of Raban: Byzantines led by John Tzimiskes defeated Sayf al-Dawla.

New People Born in 958

• Basil II, who would become a very powerful Byzantine Emperor.
• Samuil of Bulgaria, a future emperor of Bulgaria.
• Vladimir I, a very important prince of Kievan Rus, who brought Christianity to his people.

Important People Who Died in 958

• King Gorm the Old of Denmark, a famous Viking king.
• Masudi, an Arab geographer, historian, and physicist.

The Year 959

• October 1 – Edgar became the King of England.
• Dunstan became the bishop of Worcester, England and London, two important cities in England.
• Bruno I, Archbishop of Cologne divided the Duchy of Lorraine with his nephew Frederic.

New People Born in 959

• Emperor En'yū of Japan.

Important People Who Died in 959

• October 1 – King Eadwig of England.
• November 9 – Constantine VII, a Byzantine Emperor.
• Ælfsige, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

See also

In Spanish: Años 950 para niños