It Happened on
December 14, 1751
The Theresian Military Academy, also known as the Theresianum, is one of the most prestigious military academies in the world and has a fascinating history.
It was founded in 1751 by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, who ruled over a vast portion of Europe during the 18th century. Maria Theresa established the academy in order to train officers for the Habsburg Monarchy’s army, which was one of the most powerful in Europe at the time. What makes the founding of the Theresian Military Academy particularly interesting is that it was one of the first institutions of its kind to provide a formalized and systematic education for military officers.
Before the Theresian Military Academy, military officers often rose through the ranks based on experience and battlefield prowess. Maria Theresa’s decision to create a dedicated military academy was a progressive and innovative step in the history of military education. The academy offered a comprehensive curriculum that included subjects like mathematics, science, languages, and military strategy.
The Theresian Military Academy set a precedent for similar institutions that would be established in other countries in the years to come. Its commitment to education and training had a significant impact on the development of modern military professionalism and contributed to the success of the Habsburg Monarchy’s army during that era. Today, the Theresian Military Academy continues to maintain its reputation for excellence in military education.
The Theresian Military Academy (known as the Theresianum) is one of the oldest military academies in the world (the oldest is the Military Academy of Modena). It was founded by Maria Theresa of Austria, who gave the first commander of the Academy, Field marshal Leopold Joseph von Daun (Count Daun), the order Mach er mir tüchtige Officier und rechtschaffene Männer daraus. (Wikipedia)
“Make me hard working officers and honest men”
– Empress Maria Theresa
“A.E.I.O.U.” was a symbolic device coined by Frederick III (1415–1493) and historically used as a motto by the Habsburgs. One note in his notebook (discovered in 1666), though not in the same hand, explains it in German and Latin as “All the world is subject to Austria” (Alles Erdreich ist Österreich untertan or Austriae est imperare orbi universo). As of 2017, A.E.I.O.U. is the motto of the Theresian Military Academy, established in 1751. It can also be found on the wall of the Chancellor’s office in the Federal Chancellery.
In celebration, 9 months after the opening of The Theresian Academy, the following people appeared!
born on September 20, 1752 (d. 1824)
Louise of Stolberg-Gedern
Wife of Charles Edward Stuart, the Jacobite claimant to the English and Scottish thrones
born on September 08, 1752 (d. 1813)
Carl Stenborg
Swedish opera singer, composer and theatre directorPeople featured in this post:
Leopold Joseph Graf Daun
Austrian field marshal of the Imperial Army in the War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years' War.
Maria Theresa
Ruler of the Habsburg dominions from 1740 until her death in 1780, and the only woman to hold the position