960s

The 960s was a decade that started on 1 January 960 and ended on 31 December 969. It is distinct from the decade known as the 97th decade which began on January 1, 961 and ended on December 31, 970.

960

• Mieszko I becomes ruler in Poland
• Richard I of Normandy marries Emma of Paris
• The Aksumite Empire is destroyed

961

• Ani becomes the capital of Armenia
• The Huqiu Tower is built in China
• Battle of Fitje
• Harald II of Norway becomes ruler of the western part of Norway
• St Paul's Cathedral in London is destroyed by fire
• Al-Hakam II starts to rule

962

• February 2 – Pope John XII crowns Otto I the Great Holy Roman Emperor

963

• Sebük Tigin starts his empire in modern-day Afghanistan
• The Nanping State has to surrender when invaded by Song Dynasty armies
• The Song Dynasty Chinese government tries to ban the practice of cremation
• Holy Roman Emperor Otto I defeats Mieszko I of Poland
• Luxembourg is founded
• December 6 – Pope Leo VIII becomes the 131st pope

964

• Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas tries to recapture Cilicia
• Al-Sufi's Book of Fixed Stars is published
• May 22 – Pope Benedict V becomes the 132nd pope
• June 23 – Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor battles in Rome to make Leo VIII Pope

965

• The Khazar fortress of Sarkel falls to the Kievan Rus
• Northern Song armies invade the Later Shu Kingdom

966

• Mieszko I, the first duke of Poland, is baptized a Christian

967

• Conchobar mac Tadg becomes King of Connacht
• Otto II is crowned co-emperor by Pope John XIII
• Olaf Tryggvason runs away from Norway with his mother
• Emperor Reizei ascends to the throne of Japan
• The Cambodian temple of Banteay Srei is consecrated
• 'Izz al-Daula becomes the Buyid emir of Iraq
• Bisutun ascends to the Ziyarid throne

968

• The Pechenegs begin the Siege of Kiev
• The Archbishopric of Magdeburg is founded

969

• December 11 – John I Tzimiskes becomes Byzantine Emperor after killing Nikephoros II Phokas
• The Fatimids conquer Egypt
• Emperor En'yū replaces Emperor Reizei on the throne of Japan
• Jing Zong begins to rule the Khitan Empire
• Uththama Chola becomes the Chola Emperor