March 23

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1568day.year

The Peace of Longjumeau is signed, ending the second phase of the French Wars of Religion.

The Peace of Longjumeau brought a temporary halt to hostilities in the second phase of the French Wars of Religion.
The French Wars of Religion pitted Catholic royal forces against Protestant Huguenots in a series of violent conflicts throughout the 16th century. After renewed fighting during the second war, both sides sought respite from continuous bloodshed. On March 23, 1568, the Peace of Longjumeau was signed, granting limited religious freedoms to Huguenots and reaffirming royal authority. This fragile settlement offered a brief period of calm before tensions soon reignited. The agreement highlighted the challenges of reconciling deep religious divisions in France and set the stage for further negotiations and conflicts later in the century.
1568 Peace of Longjumeau French Wars of Religion
1775day.year

American Revolutionary War: Patrick Henry delivers his speech – "Give me liberty or give me death!" – at St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia.

Patrick Henry inspired colonial delegates with his famous 'Give me liberty or give me death!' speech in Richmond.
As tensions rose between the Thirteen Colonies and British authorities, Virginia’s legislature gathered at St. John’s Episcopal Church in March 1775. Patrick Henry, a fiery orator and advocate for armed resistance, spoke passionately in favor of raising a militia. His closing words, 'Give me liberty or give me death!', galvanized colonial leaders and helped sway the Convention toward war. The speech became a defining moment in early American Revolutionary rhetoric. It captured the growing desire for independence and self-determination among colonists and remains one of the most memorable orations in U.S. history.
1775 American Revolutionary War Patrick Henry Give me liberty or give me death! St. John's Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia
1821day.year

Greek War of Independence: Battle and fall of city of Kalamata.

Greek revolutionaries captured Kalamata, securing one of the first major victories in the Greek War of Independence.
In March 1821, Greek insurgents rose against centuries of Ottoman rule, launching coordinated uprisings across the Peloponnese. Kalamata, a strategic port city, was besieged and fell on March 23, becoming the first major urban center liberated by the rebels. Leaders like Petrobey Mavromichalis organized the defense and galvanized support among local Greeks. The fall of Kalamata served as a powerful symbol of Greek resistance and inspired other regions to join the cause. This victory marked the beginning of sustained efforts that would eventually lead to Greece’s independence in 1830.
1821 Greek War of Independence Kalamata
1862day.year

American Civil War: The First Battle of Kernstown, Virginia, marks the start of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign. Although a Confederate defeat, the engagement distracts Federal efforts to capture Richmond.

The First Battle of Kernstown in Virginia marked the opening of Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign during the American Civil War. Although a Confederate setback, Jackson's engagement succeeded in diverting Union troops from Richmond.
On March 23, 1862, Confederate Brigadier General Stonewall Jackson engaged Union troops at Kernstown in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The encounter marked the opening of Jackson's Valley Campaign, designed to draw Union forces away from Richmond. Despite tactical missteps leading to a Confederate defeat, Jackson's forces inflicted about 200 casualties on the Federals while suffering slightly higher losses. The battle showcased Jackson's aggressive tactics and determination under pressure. Strategically, it succeeded in delaying Union reinforcements and disrupting Federal plans to press toward the Confederate capital. This engagement laid the groundwork for Jackson's subsequent victories and cemented his reputation as a daring commander.
1862 American Civil War First Battle of Kernstown Stonewall Jackson Valley Campaign
1879day.year

War of the Pacific: The Battle of Topáter, the first battle of the war is fought between Chile and the joint forces of Bolivia and Peru.

The Battle of Topáter was the opening engagement of the War of the Pacific, pitting Chilean forces against a combined Bolivian and Peruvian detachment.
On March 23, 1879, the first shots of the War of the Pacific rang out at Topáter, as Chilean troops advanced into contested territory. Chilean forces, seeking control of mineral-rich lands, encountered a small joint detachment of Bolivian and Peruvian soldiers. Despite fierce resistance, the defending force was overwhelmed, resulting in a Chilean victory that set the tone for the conflict. Casualty figures remained modest, but the psychological impact was significant, emboldening Chilean commanders. The action at Topáter triggered a full-scale war over nitrate resources along the Pacific coast. This opening clash demonstrated the strategic importance of the region and foreshadowed the protracted struggle that would follow among the three nations.
1879 War of the Pacific Battle of Topáter Chile Bolivia Peru
1885day.year

Sino-French War: Chinese victory in the Battle of Phu Lam Tao near Hưng Hóa, northern Vietnam.

In the Battle of Phu Lam Tao near Hưng Hóa, Chinese troops defeated French forces during the closing phase of the Sino-French War.
On March 23, 1885, Chinese troops secured a victory at Phu Lam Tao, a key engagement in the Sino-French War. The clash occurred near Hưng Hóa in northern Vietnam, where the French sought to extend their influence in Tonkin. Chinese forces, familiar with the terrain, launched effective defensive operations that repelled the French advance. The victory bolstered Chinese morale and momentarily stalled French incursions into the region. Despite this success, the larger conflict continued until the Treaty of Tientsin later that year. The battle highlighted the challenges colonial powers faced in Vietnam's rugged landscapes and showcased Chinese commitment to defending their interests.
1885 Sino-French War Battle of Phu Lam Tao Vietnam
1901day.year

Emilio Aguinaldo, only President of the First Philippine Republic, is captured at Palanan, Isabela by the forces of American General Frederick Funston.

Filipino revolutionary leader Emilio Aguinaldo was captured by American forces at Palanan, effectively ending the First Philippine Republic.
On March 23, 1901, General Frederick Funston led a daring expedition that resulted in the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela. Using deceptive tactics and local intelligence, American forces disguised themselves as prisoners to infiltrate Aguinaldo's camp. The operation brought an end to the First Philippine Republic, which had declared independence from Spain in 1898. Aguinaldo's capture weakened Filipino resistance and accelerated the American consolidation of the archipelago. News of the event reached Manila with dramatic effect, leading to the formal surrender of remaining revolutionary forces. The episode marked a pivotal moment in the Philippine–American War and shaped the future political landscape of the Philippines.
1901 Emilio Aguinaldo First Philippine Republic Palanan, Isabela Frederick Funston
1905day.year

Eleftherios Venizelos calls for Crete's union with Greece, and begins what is to be known as the Theriso revolt.

Eleftherios Venizelos initiated the Theriso revolt, demanding Crete's union with Greece and challenging Ottoman authority on the island.
On March 23, 1905, Cretan politician Eleftherios Venizelos proclaimed the Theriso revolt in the village of Theriso. He rallied local supporters to demand enosis, or union, of Crete with the Kingdom of Greece, rejecting Ottoman-imposed autonomy. Venizelos and his followers established a revolutionary assembly that issued a manifesto outlining political and economic reforms. The uprising gained widespread Cretan backing, drawing the attention of the Great Powers overseeing the island's status. While armed clashes remained limited, the revolt intensified diplomatic pressure and exposed weaknesses in Ottoman governance. Within two years, Crete would achieve union with Greece, and Venizelos would rise to prominence as a leading Greek statesman. The Theriso revolt became a landmark event in modern Cretan history and Greek nationalism.
1905 Eleftherios Venizelos Crete Theriso revolt
1918day.year

First World War: On the third day of the German Spring Offensive, the 10th Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment is annihilated with many of the men becoming prisoners of war

During WWI's German Spring Offensive, the 10th Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment was wiped out and many men were captured.
The German Spring Offensive, also known as Kaiserschlacht, began on March 21, 1918, aiming to break the stalemate on the Western Front before American forces arrived in strength. On its third day, British units faced fierce attacks and artillery barrages that overwhelmed their positions. The 10th Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment was caught in a pincer movement and surrounded by German forces. Many soldiers were killed outright, while those who survived were taken prisoner, marking the unit’s effective annihilation. This action illustrated both the destructive power of modern combined arms tactics and the desperate situation of the British Expeditionary Force. The loss contributed to the high British casualty rates during the offensive. Ultimately, the Spring Offensive faltered, but its initial successes underscored the war’s brutal nature.
1918 First World War Spring Offensive Royal West Kent Regiment prisoners of war
1931day.year

Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar are hanged for the killing of a deputy superintendent of police during the Indian independence movement.

Indian freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar are executed for assassinating a British police officer.
Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar were prominent revolutionaries in the Indian independence movement, advocating direct action against British colonial rule. On April 8, 1929, the trio assassinated Deputy Superintendent John Saunders in Lahore to protest the death of nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai. After a controversial trial, they were convicted and sentenced to death. The execution on March 23, 1931, transformed them into martyrs and galvanized the freedom struggle. Their courage and self-sacrifice inspired subsequent generations of activists across India. Annual commemorations honor their memory and the ideals of sacrifice and justice they espoused.
1931 Bhagat Singh Shivaram Rajguru Sukhdev Thapar Indian independence movement
1939day.year

The Hungarian air force attacks the headquarters of the Slovak air force in Spišská Nová Ves, killing 13 people and beginning the Slovak–Hungarian War.

Hungarian aircraft strike the Slovak air force HQ at Spišská Nová Ves, igniting the Slovak–Hungarian War.
Rising tensions between Hungary and Slovakia over disputed border regions erupted into armed conflict on March 23, 1939, when the Hungarian air force launched a surprise attack on the Slovak air force headquarters at Spišská Nová Ves. Thirteen Slovak personnel were killed in the raid, marking the opening salvo of the brief Slovak–Hungarian War. The assault aimed to seize control of territories with significant Hungarian populations and test Slovakia’s defense capabilities. Skirmishes and border clashes continued over the next few days before a ceasefire was brokered under Axis mediation. The conflict reshaped Central European borders on the eve of World War II and highlighted the volatile regional politics following Czechoslovakia’s dissolution. Its legacy influenced minority rights discussions in postwar treaties.
1939 Hungarian Slovak air force Spišská Nová Ves Slovak–Hungarian War
1978day.year

The first UNIFIL troops arrived in Lebanon for peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line.

On March 23, 1978, the first UNIFIL peacekeeping forces arrived in southern Lebanon to monitor the newly established Blue Line.
In response to escalating conflict between Lebanon and Israel, the UN Security Council established UNIFIL earlier that month. On March 23, 1978, the first contingent of international peacekeepers landed in southern Lebanon to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces and help restore stability. Their mandate included patrolling the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated boundary between Lebanon and Israel. The multinational force comprised soldiers from Ireland, India, and other contributing nations. Despite initial challenges in a volatile security environment, UNIFIL's presence marked a significant step in international peace efforts. Over the years, the mission expanded to support humanitarian operations and protect civilians amid recurring regional tensions.
1978 UNIFIL Lebanon peacekeeping mission Blue Line