1071day.year
Bari, the last Byzantine possession in southern Italy, is surrendered to Robert Guiscard.
Bari, the last Byzantine stronghold in southern Italy, falls to the Norman leader Robert Guiscard.
On April 15, 1071, Bari, the last Byzantine stronghold in southern Italy, surrendered to the Norman leader Robert Guiscard.
The city's fall ended over three centuries of Byzantine presence in the Italian peninsula.
Guiscard's victory solidified Norman control and laid the foundation for the Kingdom of Sicily.
The event reshaped the balance of power in the Mediterranean.
It demonstrated the growing influence of Norman adventurers in medieval Europe.
1071
Bari
Byzantine
is surrendered
Robert Guiscard
1450day.year
Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English forces, ending English domination in Northern France.
French forces nearly annihilate the English army at the Battle of Formigny, ending English dominance in Northern France.
On April 15, 1450, French forces launched a decisive attack against the English army at the Battle of Formigny.
The engagement nearly annihilated the English troops, effectively ending their domination in Northern France.
The battle showcased the effectiveness of French artillery and tactical innovation.
It marked a turning point in the latter stages of the Hundred Years' War.
The victory paved the way for the recapture of Normandy and the eventual French reclamation of their territory.
1450
Battle of Formigny
Hundred Years' War
1632day.year
Battle of Rain: Swedes under Gustavus Adolphus defeat the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years' War.
Swedish forces under Gustavus Adolphus defeat the Holy Roman Empire at the Battle of Rain during the Thirty Years' War.
On April 15, 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, Swedish troops led by King Gustavus Adolphus achieved a crucial victory at the Battle of Rain.
The Swedish army forced a crossing of the River Lech and crushed the Imperial forces.
This triumph opened the way into southern Germany for the Swedes.
Gustavus Adolphus's tactics and battlefield innovations were demonstrated.
The victory bolstered Protestant morale and shifted the war's momentum in favor of Sweden.
1632
Battle of Rain
Swedes
Gustavus Adolphus
Holy Roman Empire
Thirty Years' War
1642day.year
Irish Confederate Wars: A Confederate Irish militia is routed in the Battle of Kilrush when it attempts to halt the progress of a Royalist Army.
A Confederate Irish militia is routed in the Battle of Kilrush while attempting to stop a Royalist army during the Irish Confederate Wars.
On April 15, 1642, during the Irish Confederate Wars, Confederate Irish forces engaged a Royalist army at the Battle of Kilrush.
The inexperienced Irish militia was routed, suffering significant casualties.
The defeat hindered Confederate attempts to secure Munster.
Royalist control in southern Ireland was temporarily strengthened.
The battle reflected the wider complexities of the rebellion and civil conflict in Ireland.
1642
Irish Confederate Wars
Confederate Irish
Battle of Kilrush
Royalist
1715day.year
The Pocotaligo Massacre triggers the start of the Yamasee War in colonial South Carolina.
The Pocotaligo Massacre sparks the Yamasee War in colonial South Carolina.
On April 15, 1715, the Pocotaligo Massacre occurred when Yamasee warriors ambushed colonial traders in South Carolina.
This attack ignited the Yamasee War, a major Native American uprising against British colonists.
Multiple tribes joined the conflict, devastating frontier settlements.
The war lasted over a year and nearly annihilated the colony.
It led to shifts in colonial policy and Native American alliances in the Southeast.
1715
Pocotaligo Massacre
Yamasee War
colonial South Carolina
1861day.year
President Abraham Lincoln calls for 75,000 militiamen to quell the insurrection that soon became the American Civil War.
In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteer militiamen to quell the insurrection, officially launching the American Civil War.
On April 15, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteer militiamen to suppress the Southern insurrection.
This decisive action came days after Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to preserving the Union.
Northern states quickly mobilized troops in response, while border states faced intense debate over their loyalties.
The call for volunteers marked the transition from political tension to full-scale armed conflict.
Lincoln’s leadership in this moment set the stage for a four-year war that would redefine the nation and end slavery.
1861
Abraham Lincoln
calls for 75,000 militiamen
American Civil War
1900day.year
Philippine–American War: Filipino guerrillas launch a surprise attack on U.S. infantry and begin a four-day siege of Catubig, Philippines.
In 1900, Filipino guerrillas launched a surprise attack on U.S. forces at Catubig, initiating a four-day siege during the Philippine–American War.
On April 15, 1900, amid the Philippine–American War, Filipino insurgents attacked a U.S. infantry detachment at Catubig in northeastern Samar.
The guerrilla forces encircled the American troops, leading to a grueling four-day siege as both sides exchanged fire.
This fierce engagement highlighted the effectiveness of Filipino guerrilla tactics against a better-equipped military.
The siege ended after U.S. reinforcements arrived, but not before significant casualties on both sides.
The battle at Catubig underscored the challenges faced by American forces and the resilience of Filipino resistance.
1900
Philippine–American War
Filipino
four-day siege
Catubig
1936day.year
First day of the Arab revolt in Mandatory Palestine.
The Arab revolt erupts as Palestinian Arabs rise against British mandate rule and Jewish immigration in Mandatory Palestine.
On April 15, 1936, Palestinian Arabs began a widespread revolt against British mandate authorities in Palestine.
The uprising was driven by opposition to land transfers to Jewish settlers and rising nationalist sentiments.
Protests and strikes quickly escalated into violent confrontations and guerrilla attacks against British forces and Jewish communities.
The revolt lasted until 1939 and resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides.
It significantly shaped British policy in Palestine and influenced the trajectory of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1936
Arab revolt
Mandatory Palestine
1941,day.year
In the Belfast Blitz, 200 bombers of the German Luftwaffe attack Belfast, killing some 1,000 people.
During the Belfast Blitz of World War II, German Luftwaffe bombers launch a devastating air raid on Belfast, causing massive casualties and destruction.
On the night of April 15, 1941, the German Luftwaffe launched a massive air raid on Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Approximately 200 bombers dropped incendiaries and high-explosive bombs across the city.
The attack killed around 1,000 people and destroyed large sections of residential and industrial areas.
Civil defense efforts were hampered by the lack of proper air raid shelters and blackout enforcement.
The Belfast Blitz exposed vulnerabilities in the home front and left a lasting impact on the city's urban fabric.
1941
Belfast Blitz
Luftwaffe
Belfast
1942day.year
The George Cross is awarded "to the island fortress of Malta" by King George VI.
King George VI awards the George Cross to Malta, recognizing the island's heroic resilience during intense World War II bombardment.
On April 15, 1942, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the people of Malta.
The decoration recognized their extraordinary bravery and resilience under relentless Axis bombing.
Malta's strategic position in the Mediterranean made it a focal point of supply lines and military operations.
Residents endured severe shortages of food, water, and ammunition during the siege.
The George Cross symbolized Britain's gratitude and honored the island's collective heroism.
1942
George Cross is awarded
1945day.year
Bergen-Belsen concentration camp is liberated.
Allied forces liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, exposing the horrors of Nazi atrocities to the world.
On April 15, 1945, Allied troops liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany.
The camp held tens of thousands of prisoners subjected to starvation, disease, and brutality.
Liberators uncovered mass graves and horrific living conditions upon arrival.
Medical teams struggled to care for emaciated survivors suffering from typhus and other illnesses.
The liberation shocked the world and became a powerful symbol of Nazi atrocities.
1945
Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
1969day.year
The EC-121 shootdown incident: North Korea shoots down a United States Navy aircraft over the Sea of Japan, killing all 31 on board.
North Korean forces shoot down a U.S. Navy reconnaissance plane over the Sea of Japan, resulting in the loss of 31 American lives.
On April 15, 1969, North Korean fighters intercepted and shot down a U.S. Navy EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Japan.
All 31 American service members aboard the plane were killed in the attack.
The incident occurred during heightened Cold War tensions and raised concerns about aerial reconnaissance.
The U.S. government lodged diplomatic protests, but the crew's remains were never recovered.
The tragedy underscored the risks of intelligence operations near hostile borders.
1969
EC-121 shootdown incident
North Korea
United States Navy
Sea of Japan