1183 BC
Traditional reckoning of the Fall of Troy marking the end of the legendary Trojan War, given by chief librarian of the Library of Alexandria Eratosthenes, among others.
Scholars like Eratosthenes placed the legendary Fall of Troy in 1183 BC, signalling the end of the Trojan War.
Ancient historians long debated the date of Troy's fall until Eratosthenes and others settled on 1183 BC.
This traditional chronology framed the epic narrative of the Iliad as a historical record.
The designation influenced classical scholarship and the study of early Greek civilization.
By anchoring myth in time, it bridged legend and history for generations of learners.
Despite modern archaeological debates, the 1183 BC date remains a cultural touchstone in Western heritage.
1183 BC
Troy
Trojan War
Library of Alexandria
Eratosthenes
1547day.year
Battle of Mühlberg. Duke of Alba, commanding Spanish-Imperial forces of Charles I of Spain, defeats the troops of Schmalkaldic League.
On April 24, 1547, the Duke of Alba led Spanish-Imperial forces to victory over the Schmalkaldic League at Mühlberg.
The Battle of Mühlberg was a decisive engagement during the Schmalkaldic War in April 1547.
Spanish-Imperial troops under the Duke of Alba, on behalf of Charles I of Spain, outmaneuvered the Protestant Schmalkaldic League.
The victory crushed the league's military strength and solidified Habsburg dominance in the Holy Roman Empire.
It dealt a heavy blow to Protestant princes seeking autonomy from the emperor.
The battle's aftermath reshaped the religious and political map of Central Europe for decades.
1547
Battle of Mühlberg
Duke of Alba
Charles I of Spain
Schmalkaldic League
1877day.year
Russo-Turkish War: The Russian Empire declares war on the Ottoman Empire.
Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire in 1877, igniting the Russo-Turkish War in the Balkans.
In April 1877, rising tensions over Slavic nationalism and Balkan territories led Russia to declare war.
The conflict, fought across the Balkans and the Caucasus, aimed to liberate Orthodox Christians under Ottoman rule.
Key battles at Plevna and Shipka Pass became legendary for their fierce resistance.
The war concluded with the Treaty of San Stefano, reshaping the region and spurring uprisings.
It ultimately set the stage for Balkan independence movements and further great-power rivalries.
1877
Russo-Turkish War
Russian Empire
Ottoman Empire
1915day.year
The arrest of 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders in Istanbul marks the beginning of the Armenian genocide.
The arrest of 250 Armenian intellectuals in Istanbul marks the tragic beginning of the Armenian genocide orchestrated by the Ottoman authorities.
On April 24, 1915, Ottoman authorities in Istanbul arrested 250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders.
The detentions were coordinated to dismantle Armenian leadership and suppress resistance.
Many detainees were deported, tortured, or killed in subsequent deportation marches.
These arrests are widely recognized as the start of a systematic campaign of genocide against the Armenian people.
Over the following years, an estimated 1.5 million Armenians perished under Ottoman rule.
April 24 is commemorated annually as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day worldwide.
1915
250 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders
Istanbul
Armenian genocide
1916day.year
Easter Rising: Irish rebels, led by Patrick Pearse and James Connolly, launch an uprising in Dublin against British rule and proclaim an Irish Republic.
Irish republicans led by Patrick Pearse and James Connolly launch the Easter Rising in Dublin, proclaiming an independent Irish Republic against British rule.
On April 24, 1916, Irish republicans began the Easter Rising in Dublin by seizing key strategic locations.
Led by figures such as Patrick Pearse and James Connolly, the rebels proclaimed an independent Irish Republic at the General Post Office.
The week-long rebellion aimed to end British rule and inspire nationwide uprising for self-determination.
Despite initial successes, British forces suppressed the insurrection with artillery and storming of rebel positions.
The rebellion resulted in significant casualties and destruction in central Dublin.
Though militarily unsuccessful, the Easter Rising galvanized public opinion and laid the groundwork for the Irish War of Independence.
1916
Easter Rising
Patrick Pearse
James Connolly
proclaim an Irish Republic
1918day.year
World War I: First tank-to-tank combat, during the second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. Three British Mark IVs meet three German A7Vs.
The first tank-to-tank combat unfolds at the second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux when British Mark IVs engage German A7Vs.
On April 24, 1918, the second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux saw the first recorded tank-versus-tank engagement in history.
Three British Mark IV tanks encountered three German A7V tanks on the battlefield.
This clash marked a turning point in armored warfare tactics during World War I.
The British tanks outmaneuvered their German counterparts, demonstrating the evolving role of armor.
Both sides learned critical lessons about tank coordination, firepower, and mechanical reliability.
The encounter foreshadowed the central role of tanks in modern mechanized warfare.
1918
World War I
second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux
Mark IVs
A7Vs
1944day.year
World War II: The SBS launches a raid against the garrison of Santorini in Greece.
The British Special Boat Section raided the German-occupied garrison on Santorini in 1944, striking a strategic blow in the Aegean campaign.
On April 24, 1944, the elite British Special Boat Section (SBS) executed a daring amphibious assault on the German garrison at Santorini in the Aegean Sea. Commandos approached under the cover of darkness in small, fast craft. They successfully destroyed coastal guns and communications equipment before slipping away undetected. The raid demonstrated the effectiveness of commando tactics in maritime operations and bolstered Allied efforts in the Mediterranean. Though small in scale, the operation tied down enemy resources and contributed to broader liberation efforts in Greece. The Santorini raid remains a celebrated example of bravery and precision in special operations history.
1944
World War II
SBS
raid against the garrison of Santorini
1965day.year
Civil war breaks out in the Dominican Republic when Colonel Francisco Caamaño overthrows the triumvirate that had been in power since the coup d'état against Juan Bosch.
In 1965, Colonel Francisco Caamaño’s rebellion against the ruling triumvirate ignited a civil war in the Dominican Republic.
On April 24, 1965, Colonel Francisco Caamaño led forces to oust the three-man military junta that had governed since the 1963 coup against President Juan Bosch. Declaring the defense of constitutional order, Caamaño’s supporters engaged in intense fighting across Santo Domingo and other regions. The conflict drew U.S. military intervention later that month under the pretext of protecting American citizens and preventing communist influence. The civil war reflected Cold War-era tensions and the struggle between restorationists and military rulers. A provisional government eventually negotiated an end to hostilities, but the violence left deep political and social scars. Caamaño remains a symbol of constitutionalism and resistance in the Dominican Republic’s path toward democracy.
1965
Civil war
Dominican Republic
Francisco Caamaño
triumvirate
coup d'état
Juan Bosch
1967day.year
Vietnam War: American General William Westmoreland says in a news conference that the enemy had "gained support in the United States that gives him hope that he can win politically that which he cannot win militarily".
General William Westmoreland warned in 1967 that enemy propaganda was gaining support in the United States, offering political victories the military could not secure.
On April 24, 1967, U.S. Army General William Westmoreland addressed reporters in Saigon, highlighting the growing impact of North Vietnamese propaganda on American public opinion. He warned that the enemy had garnered domestic support in the United States, giving them hope of achieving political gains unattainable on the battlefield. Westmoreland’s remarks underscored the Vietnam War’s dual nature as both a military conflict and a struggle for hearts and minds. His statements fueled debates in Washington over war strategy, media coverage, and the importance of maintaining public morale. The acknowledgment of psychological and political warfare reflected shifting perceptions of how wars were won or lost. The briefing remains a notable moment illustrating the interplay between military operations and domestic political sentiment during the Vietnam era.
Vietnam War
William Westmoreland
1980day.year
Eight U.S. servicemen die in Operation Eagle Claw as they attempt to end the Iran hostage crisis.
A rescue attempt, Operation Eagle Claw, ends tragically with the deaths of eight U.S. servicemen.
On April 24, 1980, Operation Eagle Claw, the first U.S. military effort to free hostages in Iran, ended in disaster.
A complex mission involving helicopters and transport aircraft at a desert staging area called Desert One met with mechanical failures and coordination breakdowns.
A collision between a helicopter and a transport aircraft resulted in the deaths of eight American servicemen.
The failed rescue attempt marked a significant blow to U.S. prestige and President Jimmy Carter's administration.
It intensified domestic criticism over the handling of the Iran hostage crisis and highlighted the challenges of special operations.
Lessons learned from the operation later informed the structure of the U.S. special forces and interagency coordination.
1980
Operation Eagle Claw
Iran hostage crisis
1993day.year
An IRA bomb devastates the Bishopsgate area of London.
A devastating IRA bomb detonates in London's Bishopsgate, causing widespread destruction.
On April 24, 1993, the Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a powerful truck bomb in the Bishopsgate district of London's financial center.
The explosion created a crater more than 100 feet across and caused extensive damage to buildings, transportation, and infrastructure.
Despite the scale of the attack, casualties were minimized by early warnings given before the bomb detonated.
The blast prompted the implementation of the 'ring of steel' security zone to protect the City of London.
Reconstruction of Bishopsgate involved modern architectural redesigns and improved urban resilience measures.
The incident remains one of the largest urban bombings in the UK outside of wartime.
1993
IRA
bomb devastates the Bishopsgate area
2006day.year
Bombings in the Egyptian resort city of Dahab kill 23 people and injure about 80.
A terrorist bombing in the Egyptian resort city of Dahab killed 23 people and wounded around 80.
On April 24, 2006, suicide bombs detonated in tourist areas of Dahab, a popular Red Sea resort in Egypt. The attacks targeted beachfront cafes and hotels, causing widespread panic and devastation among holidaymakers. Egyptian authorities immediately initiated investigations, leading to increased security measures across Sinai. The bombings were one of the deadliest assaults on Egypt's tourism sector, leading to international condemnation and a sharp decline in tourist visits. Families of victims and survivors recounted harrowing tales of explosion blasts, rescue operations, and medical evacuations as hospitals struggled to treat the injured. The incident prompted the government to strengthen counterterrorism efforts in the region.
2006
Bombings
resort city
Dahab