The Treaty of Westphalia was Ratified, Ending the Thirty Years’ War, Which Profoundly Changed the Balance of Power in Europe. October 24, 1648.

Image: Allegory of the Peace of Westphalia. (Public Domain)

On this day in history, October 24, 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia was ratified, ending the Thirty Years’ War and profoundly changing the balance of power in Europe.

The Thirty Years’ War was a religious dispute in the 17^th century fought principally in central Europe. More than 8 million casualt…