TODAY IN HISTORY | May 5th

TODAY’S TOPICS

• 1260 - Coronation of Kublai Khan

• 1978 - Ben and Jerry’s First Ice Cream Shop

  Extras

  The First Email📧

  The First Peace Treaty📜

  Native Sign Language🤟

  Renaissance Fashion👖

1260 Coronation of Kublai Khan

By the mid-13th century, the Mongol Empire had become the largest land empire in history, stretching from Eastern Europe to the Sea of Japan. After the death of Genghis Khan in 1227, his descendants continued to expand the empire while also struggling over who would lead it. In 1259, the reigning Great Khan, Möngke, died during a campaign in China, setting off a power struggle between his brothers. Among them was Kublai Khan, who had already established himself as a capable leader in the eastern part of the empire, particularly in China.

On May 5, 1260, Kublai Khan formally declared himself Great Khan—the supreme ruler of the Mongol Empire. The coronation took place in Shangdu (also known later as Xanadu), his summer capital in what is now Inner Mongolia. However, the succession wasn’t smooth. Kublai’s younger brother, Ariq Böke, also claimed the title and held a rival kurultai (Mongol council) in Karakorum, the empire’s traditional capital. What followed was a civil war between the two brothers that would last until 1264.

Despite the internal conflict, Kublai continued to strengthen his power base in China. He adopted many aspects of Chinese governance, promoted trade, and relied on both Mongol and Chinese officials in his administration. After defeating Ariq Böke in 1264, Kublai became the uncontested ruler, but the empire was already showing signs of division. Some western regions stopped recognizing the Great Khan’s authority, which eventually led to the Mongol Empire splintering into separate khanates.

Kublai’s coronation in 1260 marked a major turning point in Mongol history. He would go on to found the Yuan Dynasty in 1271, becoming the first non-Chinese emperor to fully rule over all of China. His reign blended Mongol and Chinese traditions and left a lasting legacy in East Asia. While the broader Mongol Empire began to fragment, Kublai’s rule established a powerful, centralized dynasty that would last until the fall of the Yuan in the 14th century.

🤖 Ai Depiction of Event

1978 Ben and Jerry’s Opens

In the mid-1970s, two childhood friends from New York—Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield—were looking for a fun and creative business to start together. After considering a few different ideas, they landed on ice cream. They took a $5 correspondence course on ice cream making from Penn State and pooled together $12,000 (including $4,000 from a bank loan) to open their first shop. Neither had formal business experience, but they were passionate about making quality ice cream using natural ingredients and big chunks of flavor.

On May 5, 1978, Ben & Jerry’s opened its very first ice cream parlor in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont. The shop quickly became a local favorite, thanks to its quirky vibe, friendly service, and generous portions. The company stood out by using rBGH-free cream, mixing in large chunks of chocolate, cookies, fruit, and nuts, and creating original flavors like “Chunky Monkey” and “Cherry Garcia.” From the beginning, Ben and Jerry also emphasized community involvement and social values, making their business about more than just dessert.

As word spread, Ben & Jerry’s began expanding beyond Vermont. In the early 1980s, they started selling pints in grocery stores and eventually grew into a nationally known brand. What helped set them apart was their commitment to progressive causes and their refusal to follow the typical corporate model. They spoke openly about environmental issues, fair trade, and corporate responsibility—long before it became common marketing practice.

Today, Ben & Jerry’s is one of the most recognizable ice cream brands in the world, known just as much for its activism as for its creative flavors. But it all started in 1978 with a single scoop shop in Burlington, run by two friends who just wanted to do something fun, different, and meaningful. That small gas station shop became the birthplace of one of America’s most beloved and socially conscious companies.

🤖 Ai Depiction of Event

The First Email📧
In 1971, a computer engineer named Ray Tomlinson sent the first-ever email — and no, it wasn’t a dramatic memo or a historic quote. It was just... a string of random letters. Why? He was testing the system, not trying to write anything profound. Tomlinson had figured out how to send a message from one computer to another over ARPANET (the early internet), and needed something — anything — to type. So he smashed some keys, hit send, and made digital history. Even cooler? He’s also the guy who picked the @ symbol to separate usernames from host machines. So every email you’ve ever sent? It owes a little something to that first, meaningless keyboard mash. 💥📧⌨️

The First Ever Piece Treaty📜
The first known written peace treaty wasn’t between modern nations — it was hammered out between two ancient powerhouses: Egypt and the Hittite Empire, around 1259 BCE. After years of bloody battles — especially the massive Battle of Kadesh — Pharaoh Ramses II and Hittite King Hattusili III decided they’d had enough war and put it in writing. Literally. The Treaty of Kadesh was inscribed on clay tablets in cuneiform and carved into stone walls in Egyptian hieroglyphs. The treaty promised no more invasions, mutual defense, and even extradition agreements (basically: “you catch my runaway criminals, I’ll catch yours”). A copy of this treaty is still on display at the United Nations Headquarters — because even after 3,000+ years, it’s proof that diplomacy has deep roots 🕊️📜🏛️

Native American Sign Language🤟
Across the vast and diverse landscape of North America, hundreds of Native American tribes spoke different languages — so to bridge the gap, many used a shared system of sign language. Known as Plains Indian Sign Language (PISL), this form of communication was used especially among tribes of the Great Plains, like the Lakota, Cheyenne, Comanche, and Kiowa. It allowed them to trade, negotiate, share stories, and keep the peace — all without saying a word. The signs were expressive and efficient, covering everything from buffalo hunts to weather to diplomacy. Even deaf members of tribes used and contributed to these systems. So while spoken language varied tribe to tribe, hand signs created a common ground — proving that communication doesn’t always need a voice.🤲🌍💬

Renaissance Fashion👖
In Renaissance Italy, fashion wasn’t just about flair — it was about statement. And nothing made a bolder one than the codpiece: a decorative pouch sewn over the front of men’s trousers to, let’s say, emphasize the region. Originally practical (to cover the gap between hose), codpieces evolved into exaggerated, often padded accessories — some so large they actually doubled as pockets. Men reportedly stashed coins, letters, and even snacks in them. That’s right: in the 1500s, someone probably reached into their pants and pulled out lunch money. Codpieces eventually fell out of fashion, but not before making it clear that for Renaissance men, style wasn’t subtle — it was front and center.🩲💰📨

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