1797day.year
A force of 1,400 French soldiers invaded Britain at Fishguard in support of the Society of United Irishmen. They were defeated by 500 British reservists.
A French force lands at Fishguard in 1797 but is swiftly defeated by British reservists, marking Britain’s last invasion.
In February 1797, 1,400 French troops landed on the coast of Fishguard, Wales, aiming to support the Society of United Irishmen in its revolt against British rule. The small invading force anticipated local uprisings but encountered firm resistance from approximately 500 British reservists and local militia. After brief skirmishes and the threat of more British forces arriving, the French garrison surrendered within days. The episode, often called the 'Last Invasion of Britain,' had little strategic impact but entered folklore. It underscored the vulnerability of coastal defenses during the Revolutionary Wars and boosted British morale.
1797
invaded Britain
Fishguard
Society of United Irishmen
1808day.year
Without a previous declaration of war, Russian troops cross the border to Sweden at Abborfors in eastern Finland, thus beginning the Finnish War, in which Sweden will lose the eastern half of the country (i.e. Finland) to Russia.
Russian troops invade eastern Finland without warning in 1808 at Abborfors, starting the Finnish War.
On February 21, 1808, Russian forces crossed the border into Sweden’s eastern province of Finland at Abborfors without a formal declaration of war, initiating the Finnish War. The surprise incursion was part of Russia’s strategic moves during the Napoleonic Wars to secure its northwestern frontier. Sweden, caught off guard, struggled to mount an effective defense against a better-organized Russian army. After intense campaigns, the conflict concluded in 1809 with the Treaty of Fredrikshamn, which ceded Finland to Russia. The war’s outcome led to Finland’s status as an autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian Empire, shaping its national development.
1808
Abborfors
Finnish War
1862day.year
American Civil War: Battle of Valverde is fought near Fort Craig in New Mexico Territory.
On February 21, 1862, Confederate forces clash with Union troops at the Battle of Valverde along the Rio Grande in New Mexico Territory.
Part of the New Mexico Campaign during the American Civil War, the Battle of Valverde saw Brigadier General Henry H. Sibley’s Confederate Army of New Mexico face off against Union forces under Colonel Edward Canby.
Fought near Fort Craig, the engagement was triggered by Confederate attempts to seize strategic supply routes and push northward.
After intense fighting across arid terrain, the Confederates secured a tactical victory, forcing the Union army to retreat.
The outcome bolstered Confederate hopes of controlling the Southwest, though their gains were short-lived.
Valverde remains one of the westernmost battles of the Civil War and highlights the conflict’s reach beyond the traditional eastern theaters.
1862
American Civil War
Battle of Valverde
Fort Craig
New Mexico Territory
1916day.year
World War I: In France, the Battle of Verdun begins.
The Battle of Verdun, lasting almost a year, begins as German forces launch a massive offensive against French defenses.
On February 21, 1916, German Chief of General Staff Erich von Falkenhayn ordered a major assault on the fortified French town of Verdun du Corps.
Intended to 'bleed France white,' the battle drew in over two million soldiers and resulted in nearly a million casualties.
French defenders, led by General Philippe Pétain, rotated troops through the 'Voie Sacrée' supply route to hold the line.
Fierce artillery barrages, trench warfare, and close-quarters combat characterized the confrontation.
Despite heavy losses, the French eventually repelled German forces, making Verdun a symbol of national resilience and sacrifice.
1916
World War I
Battle of Verdun
1929day.year
In the first battle of the Warlord Rebellion in northeastern Shandong against the Nationalist government of China, a 24,000-strong rebel force led by Zhang Zongchang was defeated at Zhifu by 7,000 NRA troops.
Nationalist troops defeated warlord Zhang Zongchang's larger force at Zhifu in 1929, strengthening the government's control in Shandong.
On February 21, 1929, National Revolutionary Army troops clashed with warlord Zhang Zongchang's forces at Zhifu, Shandong.
Despite being outnumbered, 7,000 organized NRA soldiers defeated the 24,000-strong rebels.
This victory demonstrated the growing strength of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government.
The battle was a key event in the wider Warlord Era conflicts in China.
It helped consolidate Nationalist control in eastern provinces and diminish regional warlord power.
1929
Warlord Rebellion in northeastern Shandong
Nationalist government
1945day.year
World War II: During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Japanese kamikaze planes sink the escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea and damage the USS Saratoga.
At Iwo Jima in 1945, Japanese kamikaze attacks sank USS Bismarck Sea and damaged USS Saratoga during one of the war's bloodiest battles.
During the fierce Battle of Iwo Jima on February 21, 1945, Japanese kamikaze pilots attacked US naval forces.
The escort carrier USS Bismarck Sea was sunk by suicide planes, marking the last American ship lost to kamikazes.
Additionally, the USS Saratoga sustained significant damage in the raids.
These attacks underscored Japan's escalating desperation and the brutality of Pacific warfare.
They influenced future US naval tactics and the course of the final months of World War II.
1945
World War II
Battle of Iwo Jima
kamikaze
USS Bismarck Sea
USS Saratoga
1945day.year
World War II: the Brazilian Expeditionary Force defeat the German forces in the Battle of Monte Castello on the Italian front.
Brazil's Expeditionary Force won a decisive victory at Monte Castello in Italy in 1945, marking its first major success in Europe.
On February 21, 1945, the Brazilian Expeditionary Force secured a crucial win at the Battle of Monte Castello in Italy.
Facing harsh winter conditions and fortified German defenses, Brazilian troops demonstrated resilience.
Their victory marked Brazil's first major success on the European front.
It bolstered Allied momentum in the Apennine campaign.
This achievement is celebrated as a symbol of Brazil's significant contribution to World War II.
Brazilian Expeditionary Force
Battle of Monte Castello
Italian front
1973day.year
Over the Sinai Desert, Israeli fighter aircraft shoot down Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 jet killing 108 people.
In a tragic incident over the Sinai Desert, Israeli jets mistakenly shoot down Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114, killing all 108 aboard.
On February 21, 1973, during heightened tensions in the Middle East, Israeli Air Force fighters intercepted Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 en route from Tripoli to Cairo. Mistaking the civilian jet for a hostile aircraft, the pilots fired warning shots before ultimately shooting it down over the Sinai Desert. All 108 passengers and crew died in the crash amid desert terrain. The incident sparked international condemnation and intensified scrutiny of military engagement rules in conflict zones. Israel expressed regret and offered compensation, but debates persisted over identification procedures and command decisions. The tragedy remains one of the deadliest civilian shootdowns in aviation history.
1973
Sinai Desert
fighter aircraft
Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114
1974day.year
The last Israeli soldiers leave the west bank of the Suez Canal pursuant to a truce with Egypt.
Israeli forces complete their withdrawal from the west bank of the Suez Canal, honoring the truce agreement with Egypt following the Yom Kippur War.
On February 21, 1974, the final Israeli military units withdrew from positions along the west bank of the Suez Canal in compliance with a ceasefire brokered after the October 1973 Yom Kippur War. The disengagement marked the implementation of the second phase of the Sinai disengagement accords negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Egyptian forces reoccupied the west bank, restoring national control over the canal’s western shore. The handover reduced border tensions and laid groundwork for subsequent peace talks between Egypt and Israel. It also facilitated the establishment of United Nations peacekeeping forces to monitor the ceasefire. The withdrawal represented a significant step toward a lasting diplomatic resolution in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1974
Suez Canal
Egypt
2013day.year
At least 17 people are killed and 119 injured following several bombings in the Indian city of Hyderabad.
On February 21, 2013, a coordinated series of bomb blasts in Hyderabad, India, killed at least 17 people and injured over 100, causing widespread shock.
On February 21, 2013, multiple low-intensity bombs exploded across crowded areas in Hyderabad, India.\nThe blasts targeted public places during evening rush hour, striking bus stops and markets.\nSecurity forces launched an immediate operation to secure the city and treat the wounded.\nThe attack claimed the lives of at least 17 people and injured over 119 others, causing widespread panic.\nInvestigators suspected organized terror cells aiming to destabilize the region.\nThe incident spurred calls for enhanced intelligence sharing and stricter security measures nationwide.\nLocal communities rallied to support victims, highlighting resilience in the face of violence.
2013
several bombings
Indian
Hyderabad
2022day.year
In the prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin declares the Luhansk People's Republic and Donetsk People's Republic as independent from Ukraine, and moves troops into the region. The action is condemned by the United Nations.
President Putin recognized the independence of the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics and deployed troops to eastern Ukraine, escalating tensions before the full-scale invasion.
On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the formal recognition of the Luhansk and Donetsk People's Republics as independent states separated from Ukraine.\nThis declaration challenged the 2014 Minsk agreements and drew immediate international condemnation.\nRussian military forces were deployed into eastern Ukraine under the guise of a peacekeeping mission.\nThe United Nations Security Council convened in emergency session to address the breach of Ukraine's sovereignty.\nWestern governments warned of severe sanctions and diplomatic isolation for Russia.\nThe move escalated tensions and set the stage for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine just days later.\nThe event underscored the fragility of post-Soviet territorial arrangements and international law.
2022
prelude to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Vladimir Putin
Luhansk People's Republic
Donetsk People's Republic
Ukraine
United Nations