Editing 976 (section)

=== By place ===
==== Byzantine Empire ====
* [[January 10]] &ndash; Emperor [[John I Tzimiskes]] dies at [[Constantinople]], after returning from a second campaign against the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasids]] in [[Syria]]. He is buried in the Church of [[Arslan Hane, Istanbul|Christ Chalkites]], and succeeded by his 18-year-old nephew [[Basil II]], who becomes sole ruler of the [[Byzantine Empire]]. The administration remains in the hands of [[Basil Lekapenos]] (an illegitimate son of the late Emperor [[Romanos I Lekapenos|Romanos I]]).

==== Europe ====
* [[June]] &ndash; Emir [[Abu'l-Qasim Ali ibn al-Hasan al-Kalbi|Abu'l-Qasim]] launches a raiding expedition into [[Longobardia|Byzantine Italy]] from [[Emirate of Sicily|Sicily]]. He imposes a [[tribute]] on the cities of [[Cosenza]] and [[Cellere]]. Meanwhile, a Fatimid fleet assaults the [[Apulia]]n coast and raids the surrounding countryside. Abu'l-Qasim sends an army to [[Otranto]] and besieges [[Gravina in Puglia|Gravina]], before returning to Sicily – bringing home hundreds of captives and slaves.
* [[July]] &ndash; Emperor [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] ('''the Red''') occupies [[Regensburg]], forcing his rebellious cousin [[Henry II, Duke of Bavaria|Henry II]] ('''the Wrangler''') (who claims rulership over the [[Holy Roman Empire]]) to flee to [[Duchy of Bohemia|Bohemia]]. Henry is deposed and [[Duchy of Bavaria|Bavaria]] is handed over to [[Otto I, Duke of Swabia and Bavaria|Otto I]] of [[Duchy of Swabia|Swabia]] (a grandson of the late Emperor [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]]). He sets up the new "Grand [[Duchy of Carinthia]]" covering modern-day [[Austria]].<ref>Reuter, Timothy (1999). ''The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume III'', p. 254. {{ISBN|978-0-521-36447-8}}.</ref>
* Summer &ndash; Otto II appoints [[Leopold I, Margrave of Austria|Leopold I]] ('''the Illustrious'''), a member of the [[House of Babenberg]], as margrave of the [[Margraviate of Austria|Marcha Orientalis]] (the later [[Archduchy of Austria]]). In order to maintain his possession in Southern [[Kingdom of Italy (Holy Roman Empire)|Italy]], Otto strengthens his army with 2,100 mailed horsemen ([[heavy cavalry]]) from [[Kingdom of Germany|Germany]], of which around 1,500 are to be provided by the Churches.<ref>Reuter, Timothy (1999). ''The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume III'', p. 255. {{ISBN|978-0-521-36447-8}}.</ref>
* Summer &ndash; [[Pietro IV Candiano]], doge of [[Republic of Venice|Venice]], demands Venetian assistance to put down a revolt in his personal fiefs around [[Ferrara]]. The Venetians also revolt against Candiano and assault the doge's palace. Repelled by [[mercenary]] forces, they burn the neighborhood – bringing the palace down with it. Candiano and his family escape, but are killed by the mob.
* [[October 16]] &ndash; Caliph [[Al-Hakam II]] dies after a 15-year reign in which he has ended the [[Fatimid Caliphate]] in [[Morocco]] and made the [[University of Córdoba (Spain)|University of Córdoba]] the greatest institution in the world. Al-Hakam is succeeded by his 10-year-old son [[Hisham II]] as ruler of the [[Caliphate of Córdoba]]. His widow [[Subh of Cordoba|Subh]] becomes [[regent]] together with [[Almanzor]] the ''[[de facto]]'' rulers.

==== China ====
* [[November 14]] &ndash; Emperor [[Emperor Taizu of Song|Taizu]] ('''Zhao Kuangyin''') dies at [[Kaifeng]] after a 16-year reign. He is succeeded by his brother [[Emperor Taizong of Song|Tai Zong]] as ruler of the [[Song dynasty|Song Dynasty]]. During his rule the [[Yuelu Academy]] (located in [[Hunan|Hunan Province]]) is founded, which becomes one of the renowned academies ([[Academies (Shuyuan)|Shūyuàn]]). 
* [[Zhang Sixun]], a Chinese astronomer and engineer, employs the use of [[Mercury (element)|liquid mercury]], in order that the [[escapement]] mechanism of his [[Astronomy|astronomical]] [[clock]] can function, and metal parts will not rust by using [[hydraulic]]s (water), or freeze in winter.
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