January 22

Events - Wars & Conflicts

871day.year

Battle of Basing: The West Saxons led by King Æthelred I are defeated by the Danelaw Vikings at Basing.

In 871, the West Saxons under King Æthelred I suffered defeat by the Danelaw Vikings at the Battle of Basing.
The Battle of Basing took place on January 22, 871, near modern-day Old Basing in Hampshire. King Æthelred I led the West Saxon army against invading Viking forces from the Danelaw. Despite fierce resistance, the Saxons were overwhelmed by the Vikings' superior tactics and numbers. This defeat followed earlier clashes during the Great Heathen Army's campaign in England. The loss at Basing forced Æthelred to regroup his forces and call upon his brother Alfred for support. The battle highlighted the resilience of the Saxon kingdoms and set the stage for Alfred's later successes in defending Wessex. Ultimately, the struggle against Viking incursions shaped the future unification of England.
871 Battle of Basing West Saxons Æthelred I Danelaw Vikings Basing
1517day.year

The Ottoman Empire under Selim I defeats the Mamluk Sultanate and captures present-day Egypt at the Battle of Ridaniya.

In 1517, Ottoman Sultan Selim I defeated the Mamluk Sultanate at the Battle of Ridaniya, capturing Egypt for the Ottoman Empire.
The Battle of Ridaniya occurred on January 22, 1517, near Cairo, as Ottoman forces under Sultan Selim I engaged the armies of the Mamluk Sultanate. Utilizing superior artillery and tactical innovations, the Ottomans routed the Mamluk troops and seized control of Egypt. This decisive victory ended centuries of Mamluk rule and propelled the Ottoman Empire to its zenith as a Middle Eastern power. The conquest of Egypt also gave the Ottomans control over the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, enhancing their claim to the caliphate. The incorporation of Egypt enriched the empire's economy and facilitated new trade routes. Sultan Selim's triumph at Ridaniya changed the balance of power in the Islamic world. The event is often cited as a turning point in early modern Middle Eastern history.
1517 Ottoman Empire Selim I Mamluk Sultanate Battle of Ridaniya
1555day.year

The Ava Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in what is now Myanmar.

In 1555, the historic Ava Kingdom in present-day Myanmar fell to the expanding Taungoo Dynasty.
On January 22, 1555, forces of the Taungoo Dynasty captured the city of Inwa (Ava), ending the centuries-old Ava Kingdom's independence. The Taungoo rulers, led by King Bayinnaung, had embarked on a campaign to unify the Burmese-speaking regions. The fall of Ava marked a significant consolidation of power and the emergence of the Taungoo Empire as a dominant force in Southeast Asia. Under Bayinnaung's leadership, the realm would soon extend across much of present-day Myanmar, Thailand, and beyond. The conquest reshaped political and cultural landscapes through administrative reforms and patronage of Buddhism. The event underscores the dynamic state formation processes during the 16th century in the region. Ava's legacy survived in literature and architecture, influencing later Burmese kingdoms.
1555 Ava Kingdom Taungoo Dynasty Myanmar
1849day.year

Second Anglo-Sikh War: The Siege of Multan ends after nine months when the last Sikh defenders of Multan, Punjab, surrender.

The nine-month Siege of Multan concluded on January 22, 1849, with the surrender of the last Sikh defenders.
During the Second Anglo-Sikh War, British East India Company forces besieged the heavily fortified city of Multan from September 1848. The siege dragged on through monsoon rains and supply shortages, inflicting heavy casualties on both sides. On January 22, 1849, Sikh defenders, exhausted and outgunned, agreed to surrender under negotiated terms. The fall of Multan deprived the Punjabi kingdom of a key stronghold and accelerated the collapse of Sikh resistance. Soon after, the British decisively defeated the Sikh army at the Battle of Gujrat, leading to the annexation of the Punjab. The siege showcased Victorian military engineering and the expanding reach of the British Empire in India. The event had lasting impacts on the region's political landscape and communal relations.
1849 Second Anglo-Sikh War Siege of Multan Sikh Multan Punjab
1863day.year

The January Uprising breaks out in Poland, Lithuania and Belarus. The aim of the national movement is to regain Polish–Lithuanian–Ruthenian Commonwealth from occupation by Russia.

On January 22, 1863, the January Uprising against Russian rule broke out in Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus.
The January Uprising began as a revolt by Polish nationalists against the Russian Empire's domination of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Sparked on January 22, 1863, in Warsaw, the insurrection quickly spread to Lithuania, Belarus, and parts of Ukraine. Rebels sought to restore Polish sovereignty through guerrilla warfare and patriotic demonstrations. Despite initial enthusiasm, the uprising suffered from inadequate arms, disunity among leaders, and brutal repression by Russian forces. Over the next year, the revolt was gradually crushed, resulting in thousands of deaths and mass deportations to Siberia. Nevertheless, the uprising left a powerful legacy of resistance and influenced later Polish independence movements. It also triggered wider debates about national self-determination across Europe.
1863 January Uprising Lithuania Belarus Polish–Lithuanian–Ruthenian Commonwealth
1879day.year

The Battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War results in a Zulu victory.

In 1879, Zulu forces achieved a stunning victory over British troops at the Battle of Isandlwana during the Anglo-Zulu War.
On January 22, 1879, the Zulu army ambushed a British camp at Isandlwana in Natal, South Africa, inflicting heavy casualties and overrunning fortified positions. Commanded by King Cetshwayo, the Zulus utilized superior knowledge of the terrain and traditional warfare tactics to defeat Colonel Durnford's irregulars and detachments of the 24th Regiment. The victory shocked the British Empire and challenged prevailing notions of colonial invincibility. However, the triumph was followed by British reprisals at Rorke's Drift and a full-scale campaign that eventually subjugated the Zulu Kingdom. Isandlwana remains one of the few major defeats the British army suffered against indigenous forces. The battle has been studied for its tactical lessons and symbolizes resistance against colonial expansion. Today, the battlefield is a memorial and UNESCO heritage site.
1879 Battle of Isandlwana Anglo-Zulu War
1879day.year

The Battle of Rorke's Drift, also during the Anglo-Zulu War and just some 15 km (9.3 mi) away from Isandlwana, results in a British victory.

On January 22, 1879, a small British garrison at Rorke's Drift defended their post against overwhelming Zulu forces, achieving a famous victory during the Anglo-Zulu War.
On January 22, 1879, a garrison of roughly 150 British and colonial troops at Rorke's Drift in Natal faced an assault by over 4,000 Zulu warriors. The battle came just hours after the British defeat at Isandlwana, 15 km away, and became one of the most celebrated actions of the Anglo-Zulu War. Led by Lieutenants John Chard and Gonville Bromhead, the defenders held off repeated Zulu attacks with improvised barricades and unyielding resolve. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the British inflicted heavy casualties and safeguarded the mission station's hospital and supplies. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, the most ever for a single engagement, immortalizing the bravery of the defenders. The story of Rorke's Drift would inspire books, films, and songs, cementing its place in British military history.
Battle of Rorke's Drift
1941day.year

World War II: British and Commonwealth troops capture Tobruk from Italian forces during Operation Compass.

British and Commonwealth troops seize the strategic port of Tobruk from Italian forces on January 22, 1941, during Operation Compass.
On January 22, 1941, British and Commonwealth forces launched a decisive assault on Tobruk, a key Libyan port. Part of Operation Compass, the offensive aimed to expel Italian troops from North Africa after months of desert stalemate. Following intense fighting and a daring night attack, the Italian defenders surrendered, marking the Allies’ first major victory of the Western Desert campaign. The fall of Tobruk secured vital supply lines for Allied operations and boosted morale across the Middle East theatre. This triumph forced Italian forces into retreat and paved the way for further Allied advances in Libya.
1941 World War II British Commonwealth Tobruk Italian forces Operation Compass
1943day.year

World War II: Australian and American forces defeat Japanese army and navy units in the bitterly fought Battle of Buna–Gona.

Australian and American forces overcome entrenched Japanese defenders at Buna and Gona in New Guinea on January 22, 1943.
On January 22, 1943, Allied troops secured victory in the Battle of Buna–Gona along Papua New Guinea’s northern coast. Australian and American infantrymen, supported by artillery and air strikes, wrested control from heavily fortified Japanese positions. Challenging swampy terrain, tropical disease, and tenacious resistance made this one of the Pacific theatre’s fiercest campaigns. The fall of Buna and Gona marked the first major land defeat for the Imperial Japanese Army. This success opened the way for further Allied advances toward the Philippines and shifted momentum in the New Guinea campaign.
1943 Battle of Buna–Gona
1944day.year

World War II: The Allies commence Operation Shingle, an assault on Anzio and Nettuno, Italy.

Allied forces launch Operation Shingle, an amphibious landing at Anzio and Nettuno on January 22, 1944.
On January 22, 1944, Allied troops began Operation Shingle with an amphibious landing at Anzio and Nettuno on the Italian coast. The goal was to bypass the Gustav Line’s formidable defenses and accelerate the push toward Rome. Over 36,000 British, American, and Canadian soldiers participated in the initial assault under naval and air support. Despite early gains, fierce German counterattacks pinned the Allies in a deadly beachhead for months. Though costly, the operation drew German reserves from other fronts and set the stage for the final Allied advance into central Italy.
1944 Allies Operation Shingle Anzio Nettuno
1967day.year

Between dozens and hundreds of anti-Somocista demonstrators are killed by the Nicaraguan National Guard in Managua.

Nicaraguan National Guard fires on anti-Somoza demonstrators in Managua on January 22, 1967, resulting in heavy casualties.
On January 22, 1967, the Nicaraguan National Guard violently suppressed an anti-Somocista protest in Managua. Estimates vary, but dozens to hundreds of demonstrators were killed or wounded in the crackdown. The demonstration symbolized widespread discontent with the Somoza family’s authoritarian rule. Eyewitnesses reported indiscriminate firing by troops into the crowd of unarmed protestors. This massacre intensified domestic opposition and foreshadowed the rise of the Sandinista revolution.
1967 anti-Somocista Nicaraguan National Guard Managua
1968day.year

Operation Igloo White, a US electronic surveillance system to stop communist infiltration into South Vietnam begins installation.

Installation of Operation Igloo White begins, marking the start of a US electronic surveillance effort in the Vietnam War.
On January 22, 1968, the United States deploys Operation Igloo White, a cutting-edge electronic surveillance system in South Vietnam. Engineers and military personnel begin installing sensors along the Ho Chi Minh Trail to detect and track North Vietnamese troop movements. Using acoustic and seismic sensor technology, the project aims to disrupt communist infiltration into South Vietnam. Data from the sensors is transmitted via a network of communication relays to reconnaissance aircraft. Operation Igloo White represents a major technological effort in the Vietnam War, blending military strategy with advanced electronics. Though innovative, the system faces challenges from harsh jungle conditions and enemy countermeasures.
Operation Igloo White communist infiltration South Vietnam