February 19

Events - Wars & Conflicts

197day.year

Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum, the bloodiest battle between Roman armies.

In 197, Emperor Septimius Severus decisively defeated the usurper Clodius Albinus at the Battle of Lugdunum, in the bloodiest clash between Roman armies.
In 197 AD, tensions between Emperor Septimius Severus and the usurper Clodius Albinus came to a head at Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon). Severus led his legions in one of the bloodiest confrontations recorded between Roman forces. The clash lasted for days and resulted in massive casualties on both sides. By the end of the battle, Albinus was killed, securing Severus's uncontested rule over the Roman Empire. This victory solidified Severus's reputation as a formidable military commander. It also marked a turning point that ushered in a period of relative stability for the empire under the Severan dynasty.
197 Septimius Severus usurper Clodius Albinus Battle of Lugdunum
1649day.year

The Second Battle of Guararapes takes place, effectively ending Dutch colonization efforts in Brazil.

In 1649, the Second Battle of Guararapes was fought in Brazil, effectively ending Dutch colonial ambitions in the region.
On February 19, 1649, Portuguese and Brazilian forces clashed with the Dutch army at the Guararapes Hills near Recife. Dubbed the 'First Brazilian Army,' the local militia, including indigenous and Afro-Brazilian soldiers, secured a decisive victory. The defeat shattered Dutch morale and weakened their grip on Brazil's lucrative sugar plantations. Within months, the Dutch West India Company agreed to surrender its remaining territories. The battle is celebrated as a symbol of Brazilian unity and resistance against foreign conquest. It laid the foundation for Portugal's long-term dominion over Brazil until its independence.
1649 Second Battle of Guararapes
1714day.year

Great Northern War: The battle of Napue between Sweden and Russia is fought in Isokyrö, Ostrobothnia.

In 1714, Swedish and Russian forces fought the Battle of Napue in Ostrobothnia during the Great Northern War.
On February 19, 1714, the Battle of Napue took place near Isokyrö in Ostrobothnia, Finland, as part of the Great Northern War. Swedish troops under General Carl Gustaf Armfeldt faced a larger Russian army commanded by General Mikhail Golitsyn. Despite fierce resistance, the outnumbered Swedes were overwhelmed by superior Russian forces. The defeat marked a turning point that exposed Sweden's declining military dominance in Northern Europe. Casualties were heavy on both sides, and the loss led to widespread devastation in Finnish territories. The battle's outcome contributed to the eventual victory of Russia under Tsar Peter the Great.
1714 Great Northern War battle of Napue Sweden Russia Isokyrö Ostrobothnia
1915day.year

World War I: The first naval attack on the Dardanelles begins when a strong Anglo-French task force bombards Ottoman artillery along the coast of Gallipoli.

Allied naval forces launched their first bombardment of Ottoman defenses along the Dardanelles coast at Gallipoli.
On February 19, 1915, the first naval attack of World War I against the Dardanelles commenced with Anglo-French warships bombarding Ottoman artillery at Gallipoli. The operation aimed to weaken coastal defenses and open a sea route to Russia. Despite heavy bombardments, Ottoman guns remained largely operational, foreshadowing the protracted Gallipoli Campaign. Naval commanders underestimated the strength of the fortified straits and the ingenuity of Turkish defenders. The failure to neutralize the artillery led to costly landings months later. This initial assault set the stage for one of the war’s most infamous and deadly campaigns.
1915 World War I first naval attack Dardanelles Gallipoli
1937day.year

Yekatit 12: During a public ceremony at the Viceregal Palace (the former Imperial residence) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, two Ethiopian nationalists of Eritrean origin attempt to kill viceroy Rodolfo Graziani with a number of grenades.

Eritrean nationalists attempted to assassinate Italian viceroy Rodolfo Graziani during a public ceremony in Addis Ababa.
On February 19, 1937, during a lavish ceremony at the Viceregal Palace in Addis Ababa, two Eritrean-born nationalists hurled grenades at Italian Viceroy Rodolfo Graziani. The attack reflected deep resistance to Italian colonial rule following the occupation of Ethiopia. Although Graziani survived with minor injuries, numerous bystanders were killed or wounded in the explosion. The incident triggered a brutal crackdown by Italian forces, leading to widespread reprisals. Known as the Yekatit 12 massacre, this episode intensified anti-colonial sentiments. It remains a dark moment in Ethiopia’s struggle against foreign domination.
1937 Yekatit 12 Addis Ababa Eritrean Rodolfo Graziani
1942day.year

World War II: Nearly 250 Japanese warplanes attack the northern Australian city of Darwin, killing 243 people.

Japanese forces launched a devastating air raid on Darwin, Australia, marking the largest attack on Australian soil in World War II.
On February 19, 1942, nearly 250 Japanese aircraft descended on Darwin, the northern Australian port city, in a surprise assault. The attack destroyed ships, aircraft, and infrastructure, and claimed the lives of at least 243 people. Darwin’s harbor facilities and airfields were the primary targets as Japan sought to weaken Allied defenses in the Pacific. The raid shocked the Australian public, who realized their homeland was vulnerable to enemy action. Despite the losses, Australian and Allied forces quickly began rebuilding efforts. The bombing of Darwin remains a significant event in Australia’s wartime history.
1942 World War II attack Darwin
1943day.year

World War II: Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia begins.

The Battle of Kasserine Pass, the first major engagement between American and Axis forces in North Africa, begins in Tunisia.
In February 1943, the Battle of Kasserine Pass marked the first significant clash between United States troops and German-Italian forces in the Tunisian campaign. American forces, still inexperienced in desert warfare, faced seasoned Axis units led by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. The rugged terrain and harsh winter conditions posed severe logistical and strategic challenges. Despite initial setbacks, the engagement highlighted critical lessons in leadership and combined arms coordination for Allied commanders. The battle spurred a reorganization of U.S. forces in North Africa and accelerated the development of new training protocols and tactics. Ultimately, Allied forces regrouped and launched counteroffensives that contributed to the Axis defeat in Tunisia by May 1943.
1943 Battle of Kasserine Pass Tunisia
1945day.year

World War II: Battle of Iwo Jima: About 30,000 United States Marines land on the island of Iwo Jima.

About 30,000 U.S. Marines land on Iwo Jima, launching a pivotal assault in the Pacific War.
In February 1945, the United States launched Operation Detachment to seize Iwo Jima, a strategic island under firm Japanese control. On February 19, nearly 30,000 Marines hit the black volcanic beaches under intense artillery and machine gun fire. Japanese defenders, numbering around 20,000, were deeply entrenched in bunkers and a network of tunnels. The battle evolved into brutal close-quarters fighting across rugged, ash-covered terrain. Airfields on Iwo Jima were vital for escorting B-29 Superfortress raids on Japan and providing emergency landing strips. The famous flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi on February 23 became an enduring symbol of American determination. After more than a month of fierce combat, American forces claimed victory, though the cost was steep, with over 26,000 U.S. casualties and nearly all Japanese defenders killed.
1945 Battle of Iwo Jima United States Marines Iwo Jima
1965day.year

Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, and a communist spy of the North Vietnamese Viet Minh, along with Generals Lâm Văn Phát and Trần Thiện Khiêm, all Catholics, attempt a coup against the military junta of the Buddhist Nguyễn Khánh.

Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo and allied generals stage an armed coup attempt against South Vietnamese leader Nguyễn Khánh.
On February 19, 1965, Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo, a communist agent within the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, conspired with Generals Lâm Văn Phát and Trần Thiện Khiêm to overthrow the ruling junta led by General Nguyễn Khánh. The coup plotters, all Catholics, viewed Khánh's government as dominated by Buddhist officers and sought to shift power dynamics within the military. Early morning operations targeted key installations in Saigon, aiming to seize communication centers and government offices. Loyalist forces quickly counterattacked, quashing the rebellion after brief skirmishes and negotiations. The coup's failure underscored deep religious and political rifts within South Vietnam at a critical juncture of the Vietnam War. It also demonstrated North Vietnamese infiltration in the South’s military hierarchy. The incident further destabilized Khánh’s regime, leading to continued political turmoil and leadership changes.
1965 Phạm Ngọc Thảo Army of the Republic of Vietnam North Vietnamese Viet Minh Lâm Văn Phát Trần Thiện Khiêm attempt a coup junta Nguyễn Khánh
1978day.year

Egyptian forces raid Larnaca International Airport in an attempt to intervene in a hijacking, without authorisation from the Republic of Cyprus authorities. The Cypriot National Guard and Police forces kill 15 Egyptian commandos and destroy the Egyptian C-130 transport plane in open combat.

In 1978, Egyptian commandos launched an unauthorized raid on Larnaca International Airport to intervene in a hijacking, clashing with Cypriot forces and suffering heavy losses.
On February 19, 1978, Egyptian military forces undertook a covert operation to storm Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus, aiming to free hijacked passengers. The assault was carried out without authorization from the Republic of Cyprus, leading to immediate conflict with the Cypriot National Guard and police. In fierce combat, Cypriot forces killed 15 Egyptian commandos and destroyed their C-130 transport plane. The incident strained diplomatic relations between Egypt and Cyprus and raised questions about the legality of cross-border military action. It remains a notable example of Cold War–era hijacking interventions and the complexities of international counterterrorism operations.
1978 Egyptian forces raid Larnaca International Airport Republic of Cyprus Cypriot National Guard C-130
1986day.year

Akkaraipattu massacre: the Sri Lankan Army massacres 80 Tamil farm workers in eastern Sri Lanka.

In 1986, the Sri Lankan Army carried out the Akkaraipattu massacre, killing 80 Tamil farm workers in eastern Sri Lanka.
During the height of ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka’s civil conflict, government troops entered the village of Akkaraipattu on February 19, 1986. The Sri Lankan Army separated 80 Tamil civilian farm workers from the community and executed them in a brutal massacre. Eyewitnesses reported that the victims were unarmed and posed no threat. The atrocity intensified international criticism of human rights abuses during the war and fueled further resistance by Tamil groups. It remains a tragic reminder of the civilian toll in protracted conflicts. Calls for accountability and reconciliation persist in Sri Lankan society.
1986 Akkaraipattu massacre Sri Lankan Army Tamil Sri Lanka