March 09

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1226day.year

Khwarazmian sultan Jalal ad-Din conquers the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

Khwarazmian forces under Jalal ad-Din seize the Georgian capital Tbilisi.
On March 9, 1226, Sultan Jalal ad-Din of the Khwarazmian Empire captured Tbilisi, the heart of the Georgian kingdom. This victory resulted from his campaigns to reclaim territories lost to the Mongols. The fall of Tbilisi disrupted the regional balance of power in the Caucasus. The conquest was marked by both military prowess and reports of heavy plunder. Although his rule in Tbilisi was brief, it demonstrated the resilience and ambition of Khwarazmian leadership during tumultuous times. The event remains a pivotal moment in Georgian history, foreshadowing further struggles against external invasions.
1226 Khwarazmian sultan Jalal ad-Din Georgian Tbilisi
1230day.year

Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II defeats Theodore of Epirus in the Battle of Klokotnitsa.

Tsar Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria triumphs over Theodore of Epirus at Klokotnitsa.
On March 9, 1230, the armies of Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II confronted the forces of Theodore of Epirus near the village of Klokotnitsa. Employing clever tactics, the Bulgarians routed the Epirote troops, capturing Theodore himself. This decisive victory expanded Bulgarian territories deep into the Balkans. It marked the height of the Second Bulgarian Empire’s power and influence in Southeast Europe. The battle reshaped the political landscape, curbing Byzantine fragmentation. Ivan Asen II’s success brought decades of stability and economic growth to his realm, leaving a lasting legacy in medieval Bulgarian history.
1230 Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II Theodore of Epirus Battle of Klokotnitsa
1701day.year

Safavid troops retreat from Basra, ending a three-year occupation.

Safavid forces withdraw from Basra, ending their three-year occupation.
On March 9, 1701, the Safavid Persian army completed its withdrawal from the strategic port city of Basra. The occupation, which began in 1698, aimed to secure Persian influence over the vital trade gateway. However, logistical challenges and Ottoman countermeasures forced the retreat. Basra returned to Ottoman control, restoring a key link in Middle Eastern commerce. The episode illustrated the ongoing rivalry between the two great empires for regional supremacy. Though brief, the Safavid presence impacted local governance and trade dynamics. The withdrawal marked a turning point in Safavid-Ottoman relations, emphasizing both powers’ fluctuating fortunes along their contested border.
1701 Safavid Basra ending a three-year occupation
1811day.year

Paraguayan forces defeat Manuel Belgrano at the Battle of Tacuarí.

Paraguayan troops defeat Manuel Belgrano’s forces at the Battle of Tacuarí.
On March 9, 1811, in the Battle of Tacuarí, Paraguayan forces engaged the army of Argentine general Manuel Belgrano. The conflict along the Tacuarí River ended in a clear Paraguayan triumph, compelling Belgrano’s troops to withdraw. This success fostered a sense of distinct Paraguayan identity and resistance to Argentine revolutionary campaigns. The battle’s outcome paved the way for Paraguay’s neutral stance and later sovereignty. Celebrated annually in Paraguayan military history, the victory symbolizes national pride and early assertions of independence. It remains a cornerstone event in Paraguay’s journey toward self-determination.
1811 Manuel Belgrano Battle of Tacuarí
1847day.year

Mexican–American War: The first large-scale amphibious assault in U.S. history is launched in the Siege of Veracruz.

In 1847, the U.S. Army launched the first large-scale amphibious assault in American history during the Siege of Veracruz.
On March 9, 1847, General Winfield Scott led the first large-scale amphibious assault in U.S. military history at Veracruz, Mexico. Approximately 10,000 American troops landed ashore and established siege lines around the fortified coastal city. Using naval bombardment and coordinated infantry maneuvers, the U.S. forces breached the city's defenses within three weeks. The surrender of Veracruz opened the route for the advance toward Mexico City and proved the effectiveness of joint operations. This operation set a precedent for future U.S. amphibious campaigns and demonstrated emerging American seapower. The victory at Veracruz was a turning point in the Mexican–American War, ultimately leading to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
1847 Mexican–American War amphibious assault Siege of Veracruz
1862day.year

American Civil War: USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (rebuilt from the engines and lower hull of the USS Merrimack) fight to a draw in the Battle of Hampton Roads, the first battle between two ironclad warships.

In 1862, the ironclad warships USS Monitor and CSS Virginia battled to a draw at Hampton Roads, revolutionizing naval warfare.
On March 9, 1862, the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia engaged in the Battle of Hampton Roads, the first meeting of ironclad warships. The CSS Virginia, reconstructed from the scuttled USS Merrimack, sought to break the Union blockade of Confederate ports. Equipped with a revolving turret, the USS Monitor arrived just in time to challenge Virginia and prevent a Confederate naval breakthrough. After hours of inconclusive firing at close range, both ironclads withdrew, marking a tactical draw but a strategic victory for Union blockade efforts. The encounter revolutionized naval architecture, signaling the end of wooden warships and ushering in the era of armored vessels. Lessons from Hampton Roads influenced naval construction worldwide and shaped future maritime strategy.
1862 American Civil War USS Monitor CSS Virginia USS Merrimack Battle of Hampton Roads ironclad warships
1916day.year

Mexican Revolution: Pancho Villa leads nearly 500 Mexican raiders in an attack against the border town of Columbus, New Mexico.

In 1916, Pancho Villa led a raid by nearly 500 fighters across the U.S. border to attack Columbus, New Mexico.
On March 9, 1916, Pancho Villa led approximately 500 raiders across the border to attack the town of Columbus, New Mexico. The assault resulted in several dozen casualties among civilians and U.S. soldiers before Villa's forces withdrew. Villa sought to undermine the Carranza government and provoke U.S. intervention in Mexico's internal affairs. The raid prompted President Woodrow Wilson to authorize the Punitive Expedition under General John J. Pershing to capture Villa. Although Pershing's forces pursued Villa deep into Chihuahua, they failed to apprehend him and withdrew in early 1917. The Columbus attack heightened tensions between the United States and Mexico during the turbulent revolutionary period.
1916 Mexican Revolution Pancho Villa an attack Columbus, New Mexico
1942day.year

World War II: Dutch East Indies unconditionally surrendered to the Japanese forces in Kalijati, Subang, West Java, and the Japanese completed their Dutch East Indies campaign.

In 1942, Japanese forces accepted the unconditional surrender of the Dutch East Indies at Kalijati, completing their campaign in Java.
On March 9, 1942, Dutch colonial forces in the Dutch East Indies signed an unconditional surrender to Japanese troops at Kalijati, West Java. The rapid Japanese advance had captured key airfields and seaports, isolating Dutch defenses on Java. The fall of the Dutch East Indies secured vital oil resources for Japan's war effort in the Pacific. Following the surrender, Japanese forces consolidated control over the archipelago and repurposed infrastructure for military use. The loss dealt a blow to Allied strategic positions and marked the completion of Japan's campaign in the Indies. Dutch authorities and civilians endured a harsh occupation until the eventual Japanese capitulation in 1945.
1942 World War II Dutch East Indies Japanese Subang West Java Dutch East Indies campaign
1944day.year

World War II: Soviet Army planes attack Tallinn, Estonia.

In 1944, Soviet Army planes launched a major air raid on occupied Tallinn, Estonia, causing widespread destruction.
On March 9, 1944, Soviet Army bombers and fighter escorts carried out an extensive air raid on Tallinn, then under German occupation. The assault aimed to destroy strategic military targets, including rail yards, naval facilities, and communication centers. Explosive and incendiary bombs rained down on both military installations and civilian districts, sparking fires across the city. Numerous historical buildings and residential areas suffered heavy damage, and the raid inflicted significant casualties among the civilian population. Although precise figures remain uncertain, the operation marked one of the most severe aerial attacks on Estonia during World War II. The Tallinn raid exemplified the brutal nature of the Eastern Front air war and foreshadowed the Soviet push to reclaim the Baltic states.
1944 Soviet Army planes attack Tallinn, Estonia
1945day.year

World War II: Allied forces carry out firebombing over Tokyo, destroying most of the capital and killing over 100,000 civilians.

Allied forces carried out a massive firebombing of Tokyo in 1945, resulting in catastrophic destruction and heavy civilian casualties.
On the night of March 9–10, 1945, the United States Army Air Forces launched Operation Meetinghouse, a large-scale incendiary bombing raid on Tokyo. Over 300 B-29 Superfortress bombers dropped more than 1,500 tons of incendiary bombs, targeting densely populated residential districts. The attack created a devastating firestorm that rapidly consumed wooden structures across the city. An estimated 100,000 civilians perished, and vast areas of Tokyo lay in ruins amid the relentless flames. The raid remains one of the deadliest air attacks in history and exemplified the destructive power of strategic bombing. In its aftermath, Japanese morale was deeply shaken, and the government faced mounting pressure as the war drew to a close.
Allied forces firebombing over Tokyo
1977day.year

The Hanafi Siege: In a 39-hour standoff, armed Hanafi Muslims seize three Washington, D.C., buildings.

Armed members of the Hanafi Muslim group seize three buildings in Washington, D.C., leading to a tense 39-hour hostage standoff.
Beginning on March 9, 1977, the Hanafi Siege unfolded when a faction of Hanafi Muslim militants occupied the District Building, B'nai B'rith headquarters, and the Islamic Center. The group demanded justice for past grievances and sought financial compensation from the U.S. government. Over the course of 39 hours, negotiators—including city officials, religious leaders, and the White House—worked tirelessly to secure the release of hostages. The siege ended peacefully on March 11 after agreements were reached to review the group’s complaints and grant amnesty to its members. The incident drew national attention to issues of religious extremism and urban security.
1977 Hanafi Siege Hanafi Washington, D.C.