Theodore II Laskaris (1221/1222–1258) was a Byzantine emperor who ruled the Empire of Nicaea from 1254 until his death. Nicaea was a successor state to the Byzantine Empire, after crusaders captured the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade. Theodore began to write treatises on theological, historical and philosophical themes in his youth. From around 1242, he was co-ruler with his father, and his relationship with some prominent aristocrats grew tense. Succeeding his father in 1254 Theodore replaced many aristocratic officials and generals with loyalists, including some of low birth. In 1256, he repelled a Bulgarian invasion of Thrace and Macedonia and forced Epirus to cede Dyrrachium on the Adriatic Sea. Epirus allied with Serbia and Sicily, and jointly invaded Nicaea in 1257; Nicaea's new generals could not resist the invasion. Theodore died in 1258, leaving an underage son, John IV. Michael Palaiologos seized the regency, and usurped the throne soon after.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_II_Laskaris

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1843:

Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná, became the de facto first prime minister of the Empire of Brazil. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hon%C3%B3rio_Hermeto_Carneiro_Le%C3%A3o,_Marquis_of_Paran%C3%A1

1968:

The Houston Cougars upset the UCLA Bruins in what became known as the "Game of the Century", ending the Bruins' 47-game winning streak, and establishing college basketball as a sports commodity on American television. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_the_Century_%28college_basketball%29

1969:

Bengali student activist Amanullah Asaduzzaman was shot and killed by East Pakistani police, an event that led to the Bangladesh Liberation War. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanullah_Asaduzzaman

2009:

During a national financial crisis, thousands of people protested at the Icelandic parliament in Reykjavík. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Icelandic_financial_crisis_protests

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

tropism: 1. (uncountable, biology) The turning of an organism (chiefly a plant) or part of an organism either towards or away from a stimulus; (countable) an instance of this. 2. (countable, by extension, chiefly virology) A capability or tendency for a pathogen (chiefly a virus) to infect a type of cell, tissue, organ, or host organism. 3. (countable, figurative) Of a person: an instinctive predilection or tendency; also (generally), a liking, a preference. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tropism

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Remember we have the potential to make life better for others. In our own small way, we can inspire, mentor, and encourage other women to do great things. So, don’t hold back. Don’t be silent. Don’t give in to fear. Be bold. Be adventurous. Be yourself. There will always be people who want to tell you what you can do and what you can’t. What is possible and what is not. I know because I have encountered those people throughout my life. Some of them were well meaning. But all of them wanted to limit my potential. Your potential is limitless. Your life — the life you want — is worth fighting for. So, fight.   --Nikki Haley https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nikki_Haley