On this day in 1260, Kublai Khan, grandson to Genghis Khan, becomes the ruler of the Mongol Empire. The Mongol Empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Urals, and from Siberia to Afghanistan (1/5 of the world). He became the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China, which included modern day Mongolia and China. By doing so he became the Emperor of China. He would rule until 1294.
On this day in 1241, invading Mongol forces overwhelmed Polish forces in the Battle of Chmielnik. This battle took place during the wider Mongol invasion of Poland which had begun in 1240. As a result of the battle, the Polish city of Krakow was plundered.
History for Today 