January 28

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1069day.year

Robert de Comines, appointed Earl of Northumbria by William the Conqueror, rides into Durham, England, where he is defeated and killed by rebels. This incident leads to the Harrying of the North.

Robert de Comines is ambushed and killed by Northumbrian rebels in Durham, prompting William the Conqueror's brutal Harrying of the North.
In 1069, William the Conqueror's appointee, Robert de Comines, entered Durham to assume the earldom of Northumbria. Local Anglo-Saxon rebels, resentful of Norman rule, rose against his authority and laid siege to the city. Comines was ambushed and slain along with his men, an event that enraged King William. In retaliation, William ordered the Harrying of the North, a scorched-earth campaign devastating villages and farmlands. This harsh response aimed to crush resistance but led to widespread famine and suffering. The incident highlighted the deep divisions and brutal tactics of Norman consolidation in England.
1069 Robert de Comines Earl of Northumbria William the Conqueror Durham, England Harrying of the North
1671day.year

Original city of Panama (founded in 1519) is destroyed by a fire when privateer Henry Morgan sacks and sets fire to it. The site of the previously devastated city is still in ruins (see Panama Viejo).

The original city of Panama is sacked and burned by privateer Henry Morgan, leaving Panama Viejo in ruins.
For centuries, the city of Panama served as a crucial hub for Spanish colonial trade, funneling New World riches to Europe. On January 28, 1671, Welsh privateer Sir Henry Morgan led his forces in a daring assault that breached the city's defenses. Morgan's men set fire to buildings and warehouses, leaving the settlement devastated by flames. The destruction of Panama Viejo forced Spanish authorities to relocate and rebuild the city across the harbor at a more defensible site. The ruins of the old city remain the oldest European settlement in Pacific America, now known as Panama Viejo. Archaeological excavations have uncovered streets, churches, and fortifications that tell the story of colonial life. Today, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage landmark, preserving the memory of Morgan's notorious raid and the rise of Panama as a crossroads of global commerce.
1671 Panama Henry Morgan sacks and sets fire to it Panama Viejo
1846day.year

The Battle of Aliwal, India, is won by British troops commanded by Sir Harry Smith.

British forces under Sir Harry Smith defeat Sikh troops at the Battle of Aliwal during the First Anglo-Sikh War.
On January 28, 1846, British East India Company forces led by Sir Harry Smith secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Aliwal. Fought on the banks of the Sutlej River in Punjab, the engagement was a key moment in the First Anglo-Sikh War. The British deployed disciplined infantry squares and cavalry charges to break Sikh formations. Despite fierce resistance, Sikh troops were forced into retreat across the river. The victory at Aliwal complemented earlier successes and undermined the Sikh Empire's ability to mount further organized resistance. Casualties were significant on both sides, reflecting the intensity of the fighting. This triumph strengthened British control in the region and paved the way for the Treaty of Lahore later that year. The battle is remembered for Smith's leadership and tactical innovation in colonial warfare.
1846 Battle of Aliwal India Sir Harry Smith
1871day.year

Franco-Prussian War: The Siege of Paris ends in French defeat and an armistice.

The Siege of Paris concludes with a French surrender and armistice, marking the effective end of major hostilities in the Franco-Prussian War.
After a four-month blockade, the Siege of Paris ended on January 28, 1871, when the French government agreed to an armistice with Prussian forces. German troops encircled the capital, cutting off supplies and subjecting residents to severe shortages and bombardment. Widespread hunger and civil unrest in Paris pressured Emperor Napoleon III's successor to negotiate terms. The armistice paved the way for Germany's proclamation of the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. France was forced to cede territory, including Alsace-Lorraine, and pay a heavy indemnity in the subsequent Treaty of Frankfurt. The fall of Paris dealt a decisive blow to French power and altered the balance of forces in Europe. The siege's end also sparked social and political upheaval within France, culminating in the brief Paris Commune uprising later that year. Historians view the conclusion of the siege as a turning point that reshaped modern European geopolitics.
1871 Franco-Prussian War Siege of Paris armistice
1918day.year

Finnish Civil War: The Red Guard rebels seize control of the capital, Helsinki; members of the Senate of Finland go underground.

During Finland’s 1918 Civil War, Red Guard forces capture Helsinki, forcing the Senate into hiding.
On January 28, 1918, amid the Finnish Civil War, Red Guard rebels aligned with socialist factions took control of Helsinki. Their swift takeover compelled members of the Senate of Finland, supporting the conservative White faction, to flee and operate underground. The Reds established a revolutionary administration in the capital and tightened their grip on southern Finland. Despite this early victory, the conflict would later shift in favor of the Whites with German assistance. The struggle shaped Finland’s national identity and solidified its eventual independence trajectory.
1918 Finnish Civil War Red Guard rebels Helsinki Senate of Finland
1920day.year

Foundation of the Spanish Legion.

The Spanish Legion, an elite military corps, is founded in 1920 to serve in Spain’s overseas conflicts.
On January 28, 1920, Spain established the Spanish Legion as a rapid-response, professional military unit modeled after foreign legion forces. Its creation aimed to strengthen Spain’s military efforts in the Rif War and other colonial campaigns in North Africa. The Legion became renowned for its distinctive uniforms, strict discipline, and strong esprit de corps. Over subsequent decades, it participated prominently in the Spanish Civil War and later peacekeeping and defense operations. The Legion’s foundation reflected Spain’s efforts to modernize its armed forces during a period of imperial decline.
1920 Spanish Legion
1932day.year

Japanese forces attack Shanghai.

In the January 28 Incident of 1932, Japanese forces launched an aggressive assault on Shanghai, escalating Sino-Japanese tensions. The fierce urban combat marked a significant moment in pre-World War II East Asian conflicts.
On January 28, 1932, the Imperial Japanese Army initiated a full-scale attack on Shanghai, beginning the Shanghai Incident. The conflict arose from mounting tensions after Japan's invasion of Manchuria and Chinese resistance. Japanese artillery and air strikes pounded the city, leading to fierce street battles between Japanese marines and Chinese defenders. Despite valiant resistance, Chinese forces were eventually overwhelmed by superior Japanese firepower and reinforcements. International outcry led to a League of Nations investigation, but no immediate resolution was reached. The episode foreshadowed the larger Second Sino-Japanese War and underscored the fragility of peace in the region.
1932 attack Shanghai
1941day.year

Franco-Thai War: Final air battle of the conflict. A Japanese-mediated armistice goes into effect later in the day.

The final aerial engagement of the Franco-Thai War takes place, leading to a Japanese-mediated armistice later that day.
On January 28, 1941, the last air battle between French and Thai forces was fought over the Mekong River region. The brief Franco-Thai War had begun months earlier over territorial disputes in French Indochina. In the skies above Indochina, the Thai Air Force challenged Vichy French bombers and fighters in decisive skirmishes. Japan, seeking to maintain its influence, brokered an armistice that came into effect by evening. The settlement awarded Thailand minor territorial gains and eased regional tensions temporarily.
1941 Franco-Thai War armistice
1945day.year

World War II: Supplies begin to reach the Republic of China over the newly reopened Burma Road.

Allied forces reopen the Burma Road, restoring vital supply lines to Chinese forces battling Japanese occupation.
On January 28, 1945, Allied and Chinese troops successfully cleared Japanese blockades to reopen the Burma Road. Stretching from Lashio in Burma to Kunming in China, the route became a lifeline for the Republic of China. The reopened corridor allowed American Lend-Lease aid, ammunition, and food to flow into China. This operation bolstered Chinese resistance against Japan and improved Allied coordination in Southeast Asia. The Burma Road remained crucial until it was permanently closed by advancing Japanese forces later that year.
1945 World War II Republic of China Burma Road
1964day.year

An unarmed United States Air Force T-39 Sabreliner on a training mission is shot down over Erfurt, East Germany, by a Soviet MiG-19.

A U.S. Air Force T-39 Sabreliner on a training mission is shot down over East Germany by a Soviet MiG-19, escalating Cold War tensions.
On January 28, 1964, an unarmed T-39 Sabreliner of the United States Air Force was intercepted and downed near Erfurt, East Germany. The aircraft was conducting a routine training flight when it inadvertently entered restricted airspace. Soviet MiG-19 fighters engaged the Sabreliner, resulting in tragic loss of life aboard. The incident triggered a diplomatic protest from Washington, heightening U.S.-Soviet animosities. It underscored the perils of Cold War aerial operations along the Iron Curtain.
1964 United States Air Force T-39 Sabreliner shot down Erfurt East Germany Soviet MiG-19
1982day.year

US Army General James L. Dozier is rescued by Italian anti-terrorism forces from captivity by the Red Brigades.

Italian anti-terrorism forces rescued U.S. Army General James L. Dozier from the Red Brigades after months of captivity.
On January 28, 1982, Italian special forces stormed the hideout of the Red Brigades and freed U.S. Army Brigadier General James L. Dozier in Verona. General Dozier had been kidnapped by the left-wing terrorist group in December 1981, held for 42 days. The raid, conducted by Italy's Gruppo di Intervento Speciale (GIS), ended the high-profile standoff without firing a shot. The successful rescue boosted public confidence in Italy's counter-terrorism capabilities and dealt a significant blow to the Red Brigades. Dozier's liberation symbolized international cooperation in the fight against political violence during a turbulent period in Italy's history.
1982 US Army James L. Dozier terrorism Red Brigades