537day.year
Siege of Rome: The Ostrogoth army under king Vitiges begins the siege of the capital. Belisarius conducts a delaying action outside the Flaminian Gate; he and a detachment of his bucellarii are almost cut off.
In 537, Ostrogoth king Vitiges besieges Rome, facing a delaying defense led by the Byzantine general Belisarius.
In the spring of 537, King Vitiges of the Ostrogoths initiated a full-scale siege of Rome during the Gothic War against Byzantium.
Byzantine general Belisarius mustered a delaying force outside the Flaminian Gate to disrupt the Gothic encirclement.
His bucellarii, elite cavalry bodyguards, played a crucial role in harassing the besiegers and maintaining lines of communication.
The defenders nearly cut off Belisarius and his detachment, showcasing the volatility of siege warfare.
This engagement set the stage for a prolonged struggle that would determine control over Italy.
537
Siege of Rome
Ostrogoth
Vitiges
siege
Belisarius
Flaminian Gate
bucellarii
1331day.year
Fall of Nicaea to the Ottoman Turks after a siege.
In 1331, after a determined siege, the Ottoman forces capture the city of Nicaea from Byzantine successors.
The fall of Nicaea in 1331 represented a significant milestone in Ottoman expansion into Byzantine territory.
For decades, Nicaea had served as the refuge of the exiled Byzantine imperial court following the Fourth Crusade.
Led by Sultan Orhan, the Ottomans encircled the city and severed its supply lines.
After intense bombardment and blockade, the defenders conceded, granting the Ottomans a strategic stronghold.
This victory facilitated further Ottoman incursions into western Asia Minor and foreshadowed the eventual conquest of Constantinople.
1331
siege
1476day.year
Burgundian Wars: The Old Swiss Confederacy hands Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, a major defeat in the Battle of Grandson in Canton of Neuchâtel.
Swiss forces deliver a crushing defeat to Charles the Bold at the Battle of Grandson in 1476.
During the Burgundian Wars, the Old Swiss Confederacy clashed with Duke Charles the Bold at Grandson on March 2, 1476.
Charles had encamped near Neuchâtel, aiming to punish Swiss cantons for resisting Burgundian influence.
The Swiss launched a surprise assault that routed the Burgundian army and captured valuable artillery.
The defeat severely dented Charles's prestige and signaled Swiss military resilience.
Captured treasures from Grandson would later finance further Swiss campaigns in the conflict.
1476
Burgundian Wars
Old Swiss Confederacy
Charles the Bold
Burgundy
Battle of Grandson
Canton of Neuchâtel
1776day.year
American Revolutionary War: Patriot militia units attempt to prevent capture of supply ships in and around the Savannah River by a small fleet of the Royal Navy in the Battle of the Rice Boats.
Patriot militias engage Royal Navy forces in the Battle of the Rice Boats on the Savannah River in 1776.
During the American Revolutionary War on March 2, 1776, Patriot militia attempted to intercept British supply boats on the Savannah River.
A small Royal Navy fleet had moved to secure rice shipments vital to the Continental Army.
Patriot forces set fire to boats and exchanged fire along the riverbanks.
Although the British succeeded in capturing the vessels, the action demonstrated colonial resolve.
The skirmish, known as the Battle of the Rice Boats, highlighted early naval dimensions of the conflict.
1776
American Revolutionary War
Patriot
Savannah River
Royal Navy
Battle of the Rice Boats
1811day.year
Argentine War of Independence: A royalist fleet defeats a small flotilla of revolutionary ships in the Battle of San Nicolás on the River Plate.
In 1811, during the Argentine War of Independence, a royalist fleet defeats revolutionary ships at the Battle of San Nicolás on the River Plate.
The Battle of San Nicolás sees Spanish royalist naval forces intercept and defeat a small flotilla of insurgent vessels in the River Plate.
Revolutionary leaders lose critical supplies and men, weakening their naval capabilities.
This early defeat underlines the challenges faced by rebels in securing control over strategic waterways.
Despite the setback, independence movements persist, inspired by earlier victories on land.
The battle contributes to the broader struggle that ultimately leads to Argentina's liberation from Spanish rule.
1811
Argentine War of Independence
royalist
flotilla
revolutionary
Battle of San Nicolás
River Plate
1836day.year
Texas Revolution: The Declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico is adopted.
On March 2, 1836, delegates at Washington-on-the-Brazos adopt the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico.
At the Convention of 1836, Texian leaders convene at Washington-on-the-Brazos to sever ties with Mexico and establish a republic.
They outline grievances against Mexican President Santa Anna and assert their right to self-governance.
The declaration proclaims Texas an independent nation, laying groundwork for its own government and laws.
This act escalates the Texas Revolution and leads to key battles like the Alamo and San Jacinto.
Texas operates as a sovereign republic until its annexation by the United States in 1845.
1836
Texas Revolution
Declaration of independence
Republic of Texas
1865day.year
East Cape War: The Völkner Incident in New Zealand.
During New Zealand's East Cape War in 1865, Māori fighters execute missionary Karl Völkner in the notorious Völkner Incident.
Reverend Karl Völkner is accused of spying for colonial forces and is hanged by Māori leader Kereopa Te Rau in Ōpōtiki.
The incident sparks outrage among settlers and prompts a military response by British and colonial troops.
It becomes a notable episode in the New Zealand Wars, highlighting cultural clashes and land disputes.
The Völkner Incident leads to trials and harsh reprisals against local Māori communities.
This event remains a controversial and significant chapter in New Zealand's colonial history.
1865
East Cape War
Völkner Incident
1941day.year
World War II: First German military units enter Bulgaria after it joins the Axis Pact.
German forces enter Bulgaria following its accession to the Axis Pact, expanding World War II's Balkan front.
On March 2, 1941, Bulgaria formally joined the Axis Powers, aligning with Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II. Within hours, the first German military units crossed into Bulgarian territory, using it as a staging ground for future operations in Greece and Yugoslavia. The move solidified German influence in the Balkans and facilitated the subsequent invasions of neighboring countries. Bulgaria maintained a strategic position while avoiding active front-line engagement initially. This entry marked a significant shift in regional allegiances and set the stage for deeper Axis collaboration in Southeast Europe. Bulgarian participation in the Axis would later contribute to complex political and military dynamics in the region.
1941
World War II
after it joins the Axis Pact
1943day.year
World War II: During the Battle of the Bismarck Sea Allied aircraft defeated a Japanese attempt to ship troops to New Guinea.
Allied air forces thwart Japanese troop reinforcements in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
During the battle on March 2, 1943, Allied aircraft launched a decisive strike against a Japanese convoy attempting to send troops to New Guinea. Using innovative skip-bombing tactics, U.S. and Royal Australian Air Force crews destroyed or damaged most of the enemy transports and escorts. The engagement demonstrated Allied air superiority in the Pacific theater and inflicted severe losses on Japanese forces. The defeat curtailed Japanese efforts to reinforce their positions and shifted momentum in favor of the Allies. The battle highlighted the effectiveness of coordinated air attacks against naval targets and contributed to the eventual isolation of Japanese garrisons in the region. It remains one of the most significant air-sea battles of World War II.
1943
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
1965day.year
The US and Republic of Vietnam Air Force begin Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
Operation Rolling Thunder begins, launching a massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam.
On March 2, 1965, U.S. and South Vietnamese aircraft initiated Operation Rolling Thunder, a sustained strategic bombing campaign over North Vietnam. The operation aimed to pressure the North Vietnamese government into negotiations and to disrupt supply lines supporting the Viet Cong insurgency. Lasting for over three years, the campaign involved tens of thousands of sorties and significant use of B-52 bombers and tactical fighters. Despite the scale of destruction, Rolling Thunder failed to achieve its strategic goals and drew growing criticism at home and abroad. The bombing had profound humanitarian and environmental impacts on North Vietnamese cities and countryside. It remains one of the most controversial aspects of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
1965
US
Republic of Vietnam Air Force
Operation Rolling Thunder
North Vietnam
1991day.year
Battle at Rumaila oil field brings an end to the 1991 Gulf War.
The Battle of Rumaila oil field saw coalition forces rout retreating Iraqi troops, effectively ending the 1991 Gulf War.
In early March 1991, coalition forces engaged the retreating Iraqi army at the Rumaila oil field near Basra. The operation aimed to prevent looting of oil facilities and secure the border region. Coalition aircraft and ground units attacked Iraqi convoys, inflicting heavy losses. The clash resulted in the destruction of dozens of Iraqi tanks and vehicles. The engagement is considered the final major battle of the Gulf War. It effectively halted Iraqi forces fleeing Kuwait, sealing a decisive coalition victory. The battle underscored the overwhelming air superiority and technological edge of allied forces.
Rumaila oil field
1991 Gulf War
1992day.year
Start of the war in Transnistria.
The Transnistria conflict begins with clashes between Moldovan forces and separatist units along the Dniester River.
In March 1992, hostilities erupted between Moldovan government troops and pro-Transnistrian separatists along the Dniester River. The breakaway region, inhabited largely by Russian-speaking minorities, had declared independence from Moldova in 1990. The conflict was fueled by political, ethnic, and linguistic divisions in the post-Soviet space. Armed skirmishes, artillery exchanges, and civilian disruptions marked the opening phase. Both sides received support from external actors, including Russian peacekeepers and volunteers. The war in Transnistria lasted until a ceasefire agreement in July 1992. Although formal hostilities ended, the region remains a frozen conflict to this day.
1992
war in Transnistria