950s
decade
The 950s was a decade that started on 1 January 950 and ended on 31 December 959. It is distinct from the decade known as the 96th decade which began on January 1, 961. and ended on December 31, 960.
| Millennium: | 1st millennium |
| Centuries: | 9th century – 10th century – 11th century |
| Decades: | 920s 930s 940s – 950s – 960s 970s 980s |
| Years: | 950 951 952 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 |
| Categories: | Births – Deaths – Architecture Establishments – Disestablishments |
950
change- World population is thought to be 250 million.
- Duke Boleslav I of Bohemia makes peace with Otto I.
- The Later Han Dynasty in China falls.
Births
change- June 12 – Emperor Reizei of Japan
- Erik the Red
Deaths
change951
change- Allat the Maharana of Mewar comes to power.
- The Later Zhou Dynasty is founded by Guo Wei in China.
- The Northern Han Kingdom is founded by Liu Min in northern China.
Births
change- Gregory of Narek, Armenian monk, poet, and theologian
- Saint Romuald
Deaths
change- Emperor Shizong of the Liao Dynasty
- 2 January – Liu Chengyou, Emperor Yin of the Later Han Dynasty
952
change- Kalbid forces defeat the Byzantines in Calabria.
Births
changeDeaths
change- Emperor Suzaku of Japan
- Hugh, Duke of Burgundy
953
change- Liudolf, Duke of Swabia and Conrad the Red rebel against German King Otto I.
Births
change- Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine
- Herbert III, Count of Vermandois
- Al-Karaji, Persian mathematician and engineer
- Kisai Marvazi, Persian poet
Deaths
change- Abas I of Armenia, King of Armenia
- Ismail al-Mansur. third Fatimid Caliph
- Empress Dowager Yingtian of the Liao Dynasty
- Muhammad bin Musafir, Sallarid ruler of Tarum and Iranian Azerbaijan
- Rasso, Bavarian count, military leader, pilgrim, and saint.
- Rhodri ap Hywel, king of Deheubarth
954
change- King Máel Coluim I of Scotland is killed in battle against the Highlanders. He is succeeded by Indulf I of Scotland.
- Chateau Chinon is built by Theobald I of Blois.
- Edred becomes king of all England.
Births
changeDeaths
change- September 10 – King Louis IV of France
- King Eric I of Norway
- Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou
- Feng Tao
- Liu Min
955
change- August 10 – Otto I the Great defeats Magyars in the Battle of Lechfeld.
- Eadwig becomes King of England.
- December 16 – Pope John XII succeeds Pope Agapetus II as the 130th pope.
Births
changeDeaths
change- November 23 – Eadred, King of England
956
change- An earthquake badly damages the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Deaths
change- April 8 – Gilbert of Chalon, Duke of Burgundy
- Ali al-Masudi, Arab historian, geographer and philosopher
957
change- Japan: The Tenryaku Era ends, and the Tentoku Era begins.
- The Chandra Hindu Dynasty ends. This starts a time of chaos in areas belonging to modern-day India.
- Olga of Kiev converts to the Eastern Orthodox Church
Births
change- Gormlaith of Lienster, wife of Olaf Cuarran, Malachy II and Brian Boru
Deaths
change- September 6 – Liudolf, Duke of Swabia
958
change- Probable date of the start of the Marche dynasty.
- King Kshemgupta of Kashmir dies. He is succeeded by his young son Abhimanyu. Didda, his mother, becomes de facto ruler.
- The Later Zhou Dynasty goes against Liao Dynasty positions in the Sixteen Prefectures. They are defeated.
- Battle of Raban: Byzantines under John Tzimiskes defeat Sayf al-Dawla
Births
change- Basil II, Byzantine Emperor
- Samuil of Bulgaria
- Vladimir I, Prince of Kievan Rus
Deaths
change- King Gorm the Old of Denmark
- Masudi, Arab geographer, historian, and physicist
- Tuathal mac Augaire, King of Leinster, Ireland
959
change- October 1 – Edgar becomes King of England.
- Dunstan becomes bishop of Worcester, England and London.
- Bruno I, Archbishop of Cologne divides the Duchy of Lorraine with his nephew Frederic.
Births
change- Emperor En'yū of Japan
Deaths
change- October 1 – King Eadwig of England
- November 9 – Constantine VII, Byzantine Emperor
- Ælfsige, Archbishop of Canterbury
- Chai Rong