March 12

Events - Wars & Conflicts

538day.year

Vitiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving the city to the victorious Byzantine general, Belisarius.

In AD 538, Ostrogothic King Vitiges abandons the siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, conceding victory to Byzantine General Belisarius.
In 538 AD, King Vitiges of the Ostrogoths lifts his protracted siege of Rome after failing to breach its formidable defenses. He withdraws to the strategic stronghold of Ravenna, leaving Byzantium’s fortunes to rise under General Belisarius. This retreat marks a turning point in the Gothic War, emboldening Emperor Justinian’s campaign to reclaim former Roman territories in the west. Belisarius’s triumph reinforces the reputation of the Byzantine military and secures Rome from further Gothic assault. The event underscores the shifting power dynamics in Italy during the 6th century.
538 Vitiges king Ostrogoths siege of Rome Ravenna Byzantine Belisarius
1579day.year

Start of the Siege of Maastricht, part of the Eighty Years' War.

The Siege of Maastricht begins in 1579 during the Eighty Years’ War as Dutch rebels confront Spanish imperial forces.
On March 12, 1579, Spanish forces under Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, commence the Siege of Maastricht, a strategic fortress on the Meuse River. Protestant Dutch defenders and civilian inhabitants brace for a protracted struggle. The siege forms part of the Eighty Years’ War, as the Dutch revolt against Spanish Habsburg rule. Maastricht’s fall would give Spain a critical foothold in the rebellious Low Countries. The event highlights the religious and political tensions that fuelled one of Europe’s longest conflicts.
1579 Siege of Maastricht Eighty Years' War
1689day.year

James II of England landed at Kinsale, starting the Williamite War in Ireland.

In 1689, the deposed King James II lands in Kinsale, igniting the Williamite War in Ireland between Jacobites and Williamites.
After his deposition in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, James II arrives at Kinsale, Ireland, on March 12, 1689, seeking to reclaim the English throne. His arrival galvanizes Irish Catholic support against William III of Orange. The ensuing Williamite War in Ireland features key engagements such as the Siege of Derry and the Battle of the Boyne. The conflict ultimately ends in 1691 with the Treaty of Limerick, cementing Protestant ascendancy. James’s campaign in Ireland remains a pivotal chapter in the struggle over monarchy and religious authority in Britain and Ireland.
1689 James II of England Kinsale Williamite War in Ireland
1811day.year

Peninsular War: A day after a successful rearguard action, French Marshal Michel Ney once again successfully delays the pursuing Anglo-Portuguese force at the Battle of Redinha.

On March 12, 1811, French Marshal Michel Ney successfully delays Anglo-Portuguese forces at the Battle of Redinha during the Peninsular War.
During the Peninsular War, Marshal Michel Ney oversees a masterful rearguard action at Redinha on March 12, 1811. His tactics slow the advance of the Duke of Wellington’s Anglo-Portuguese army, allowing the main French force to retreat in good order. Ney’s skillful deployment of troops and artillery in the rugged Portuguese terrain exemplifies his reputation as 'the bravest of the brave.' The engagement preserves French cohesion and delays the Allied pursuit towards Coimbra. Redinha highlights the ebb and flow of Napoleonic campaigns on the Iberian Peninsula.
1811 Peninsular War rearguard French Marshal Michel Ney Portuguese Battle of Redinha
1938day.year

Anschluss: German troops occupy and annex Austria.

Nazi Germany annexes Austria in the Anschluss, dramatically altering Europe's political landscape.
On March 12, 1938, German troops crossed into Austria and effectively annexed the country in a union called the Anschluss. The incorporation was hailed by many Austrians but enforced by the Nazi regime's military presence and political pressure. Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg resigned under duress, and pro-Nazi officials swiftly declared Austria part of the Third Reich. This expansion marked a significant step in Hitler's aggressive foreign policy and violated the Treaty of Versailles. International reactions were muted, emboldening Nazi Germany to pursue further territorial ambitions. The Anschluss had dire consequences for Austrian Jews and political opponents, many of whom faced persecution or fled.
1938 Anschluss German Austria
1940day.year

Winter War: Finland signs the Moscow Peace Treaty with the Soviet Union, ceding almost all of Finnish Karelia.

Finland cedes large territories to the Soviet Union by signing the Moscow Peace Treaty, ending the Winter War.
After fierce fighting in the Winter War, Finland and the Soviet Union signed the Moscow Peace Treaty on March 12, 1940. Finland was forced to cede approximately 11% of its territory, including almost all of Finnish Karelia. The treaty brought a reluctant peace but left Finland strategically vulnerable and its population displaced. Despite the concessions, Finland retained its sovereignty, earning international admiration for its resistance. The war showcased Finland's defensive tenacity against a vastly larger Soviet force. Long-term, the conflict influenced Finnish foreign policy and military preparedness in the years before World War II.
1940 Winter War Finland Moscow Peace Treaty Soviet Union Finnish Karelia
1942day.year

The Battle of Java ends with the surrender of the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command to the Japanese Empire in Bandung, West Java, Dutch East Indies.

Allied forces in Java surrender to Japan in Bandung, concluding the Battle of Java during WWII.
On March 12, 1942, the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM) surrendered to Japanese forces in Bandung, West Java. The capitulation marked the end of the Battle of Java, a key engagement in Japan's rapid Southeast Asian campaign. Allied troops were overrun by superior Japanese numbers and air power, leading to chaotic retreats and heavy casualties. The fall of Java paved the way for Japan to control the Dutch East Indies, vital for its oil supplies and strategic position. Captured soldiers faced harsh conditions in prisoner-of-war camps across the Japanese empire. This event underscored the shifting balance of power in the Pacific theater early in World War II.
1942 Battle of Java American-British-Dutch-Australian Command Japanese Empire Bandung West Java Dutch East Indies
1993day.year

Several bombs explode in Mumbai, India, killing about 300 people and injuring hundreds more.

Series of bomb blasts strike Mumbai, killing around 300 and injuring hundreds more.
On March 12, 1993, a coordinated series of bomb explosions ripped through key locations in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. Over the course of just over an hour, at least 12 bombs detonated in crowded markets, cinemas, and public buildings. The attacks killed nearly 300 people and wounded hundreds, sowing fear across the city. Investigations pointed to organized criminal gangs and extremist groups behind the violence. The tragedy prompted sweeping security reforms and a crackdown on illegal arms networks in India.
1993 bombs explode Mumbai, India