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BC Traditional date for the founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu

Emperor Jimmu, dʑim.mɯ ten.noꜜː]) was the legendary first emperor of Japan according to the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki. His ascension is traditionally dated as 660 BC.

Emperor Jimmu, dʑim.mɯ ten.noꜜː]) was the legendary first emperor of Japan according to the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki. His ascension is traditionally dated as 660 BC. In Japanese mythology, he was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, through her grandson Ninigi, as well as a descendant of the storm god Susanoo. He launched a military expedition from Hyūga near the Seto Inland Sea, captured Yamato, and established this as his center of power. In modern Japan, Emperor Jimmu's legendary ascension is marked as National Foundation Day on February 11.

There is no evidence to suggest that Jimmu existed, and he is regarded by most modern scholars as a legendary figure.

Events Before

  1. Ali ibn Abu Talib elected the 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate

    Ali ibn Abi Talib (600 – 661 CE); born to Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib and Fatima bint Asad, Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, raised in his household and was among...

  2. Battle of Siffin occurs during the first Muslim civil war between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muawiyah I beside the Euphrates

    Battle of Siffin occurs during the first Muslim civil war between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Muawiyah I beside the Euphrates River

  3. St Eugene I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Eugene I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

  4. St Vitalian begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding Eugene I

    St Vitalian begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding Eugene I

  5. Forces from the Mayan city of Palenque, under its leader Pakal, defeat nearby Santa Elena and take its ruler captive

    Forces from the Mayan city of Palenque, under its leader Pakal, defeat nearby Santa Elena and take its ruler captive

Events After

  1. Rashidun Caliphate, then the largest empire in history, ends with the death of its leader, Ali. Succeeded by the Umayyad

    Rashidun Caliphate, then the largest empire in history, ends with the death of its leader, Ali. Succeeded by the Umayyad Caliphate.

  2. The 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, Ali ibn Abu Talib is struck on the head while praying at the Great Mosque of K

    The 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, Ali ibn Abu Talib is struck on the head while praying at the Great Mosque of Kufa, Mesopotamia by a poison-coated sword wielded by Ibn Muljam a Kharijite, dies two days later

  3. Battle of Baekgang: Tang Chinese and Silla Korean forces defeat Baekje Korean forces and their Yamato Japanese allies on

    Battle of Baekgang: Tang Chinese and Silla Korean forces defeat Baekje Korean forces and their Yamato Japanese allies on the Geum River in Korea, the last Japanese invasion of Korea for 900 years

  4. Ildefonsus, Archbishop of Toledo, and later saint, reportedly has a vision of the Virgin Mary, who presents him with a p

    Ildefonsus, Archbishop of Toledo, and later saint, reportedly has a vision of the Virgin Mary, who presents him with a priestly vestment

  5. Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse, Italy

    Constans II, also called "the Bearded", was the Byzantine emperor from 641 to 668.

More from the 660s

Rashidun Caliphate, then the largest empire in history, ends with the death of its leader, Ali. Succeeded by the Umayyad

Rashidun Caliphate, then the largest empire in history, ends with the death of its leader, Ali. Succeeded by the Umayyad Caliphate.

Battle of Baekgang: Tang Chinese and Silla Korean forces defeat Baekje Korean forces and their Yamato Japanese allies on

Battle of Baekgang: Tang Chinese and Silla Korean forces defeat Baekje Korean forces and their Yamato Japanese allies on the Geum River in Korea, the last Japanese invasion of Korea for 900 years

The 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, Ali ibn Abu Talib is struck on the head while praying at the Great Mosque of K

The 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, Ali ibn Abu Talib is struck on the head while praying at the Great Mosque of Kufa, Mesopotamia by a poison-coated sword wielded by Ibn Muljam a Kharijite, dies two days later

Greek scholar and new Archbishop of Canterbury, Theodore of Tarsus arrives in Canterbury with North African abbot Hadria

Greek scholar and new Archbishop of Canterbury, Theodore of Tarsus arrives in Canterbury with North African abbot Hadrian

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 11, 660?
Emperor Jimmu, dʑim.mɯ ten.noꜜː]) was the legendary first emperor of Japan according to the Nihon Shoki and Kojiki. His ascension is traditionally dated as 660 BC. In Japanese mythology, he was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, through her grandson Ninigi, as well as a descendant of the storm god Susanoo.
Why is BC Traditional date for the founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu historically important?
In modern Japan, Emperor Jimmu's legendary ascension is marked as National Foundation Day on February 11. There is no evidence to suggest that Jimmu existed, and he is regarded by most modern scholars as a legendary figure.

Explore More

February 11 in HistoryYear 660