April 27

Events - Wars & Conflicts

711day.year

Islamic conquest of Hispania: Moorish troops led by Tariq ibn Ziyad land at Gibraltar to begin their invasion of the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus).

In 711, Moorish forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad landed at Gibraltar, launching the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and the beginning of Al-Andalus.
On April 27, 711, a Moorish expeditionary force led by the Berber general Tariq ibn Ziyad made landfall at Gibraltar, marking the start of the Islamic conquest of Hispania. The rapid advance that followed saw key Visigothic strongholds fall within a few years, dramatically reshaping the region's political landscape. The new territory became known as Al-Andalus, a province of the Umayyad Caliphate. Muslim rule introduced innovations in science, agriculture, architecture, and law, fostering a period of cultural and economic prosperity. The conquest also led to religious and social transformations as Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities interacted. The events at Gibraltar opened centuries of cross-cultural exchange and conflict that would define medieval Iberia. Tariq’s landing remains a pivotal moment in European and Islamic history.
711 Islamic conquest of Hispania Moorish Tariq ibn Ziyad Gibraltar Iberian Peninsula Al-Andalus
1296day.year

First War of Scottish Independence: John Balliol's Scottish army is defeated by an English army commanded by John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey at the Battle of Dunbar.

In 1296, during the First War of Scottish Independence, the Scottish army under John Balliol was defeated by English forces at the Battle of Dunbar.
On April 27, 1296, the Battle of Dunbar saw an English army commanded by John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, rout the forces of King John Balliol of Scotland. The defeat forced Balliol to abdicate and led to English occupation of key Scottish strongholds. This victory marked a significant early triumph for Edward I of England in his campaign to assert dominance over Scotland. The battle took place near the town of Dunbar, where superior English tactics and cavalry charges overwhelmed the Scots. The aftermath saw many Scottish nobles captured and imprisoned. The loss galvanized resistance and set the stage for future Scottish leaders like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. Dunbar highlighted the brutal reality of medieval warfare and the high stakes of national sovereignty.
1296 First War of Scottish Independence John Balliol John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey Battle of Dunbar
1521day.year

Battle of Mactan: Explorer Ferdinand Magellan is killed by natives in the Philippines led by chief Lapulapu.

In 1521, explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines, ending his circumnavigation expedition.
On April 27, 1521, during his attempt to complete the first voyage around the world, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was slain by warriors led by Chief Lapulapu on the island of Mactan. Magellan's fleet had anchored near Cebu, and he intervened to support local allies, underestimating Lapulapu’s resistance. The confrontation saw Magellan’s superior arms and tactics fail against the native fighters' knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla tactics. Magellan’s death plunged the expedition into uncertainty, but his crew ultimately continued westward, returning to Spain in 1522. The Battle of Mactan has since become a symbol of indigenous resistance in Philippine history. Monuments on Mactan Island commemorate both Magellan’s journey and Lapulapu’s defiance. The event illustrates the clash of cultures during early European exploration and its lasting legacy in Southeast Asia.
1521 Battle of Mactan Ferdinand Magellan Philippines Lapulapu
1595day.year

The relics of Saint Sava are incinerated in Belgrade on the Vračar plateau by Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha; the site of the incineration is now the location of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world

In 1595, Ottoman Grand Vizier Sinan Pasha ordered the incineration of Saint Sava’s relics on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade, a symbolic act of dominance over the Serbian Orthodox Church.
On April 27, 1595, Sinan Pasha, the Ottoman Grand Vizier, commanded the burning of the relics of Saint Sava, Serbia’s patron saint, on the Vračar plateau in Belgrade. The act was intended to suppress Serbian resistance and undermine Orthodox Christian identity under Ottoman rule. According to contemporary accounts, large crowds gathered to witness the public incineration, which left a lasting scar on the Serbian collective memory. The site of the burning later became the location of the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches, symbolizing national revival. The event deepened divisions between the Christian population and the Ottoman authorities, fueling further uprisings. It remains a poignant reminder of religious persecution and the enduring power of sacred symbols. The legend of Saint Sava’s relics continues to inspire Serbian cultural and religious traditions.
1595 Saint Sava Belgrade Sinan Pasha Church of Saint Sava
1650day.year

The Battle of Carbisdale: A Royalist army from Orkney invades mainland Scotland but is defeated by a Covenanter army.

In 1650, the Battle of Carbisdale saw a Covenanter army defeat a Royalist force from Orkney during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
On April 27, 1650, Royalist troops from Orkney landed in mainland Scotland in support of Charles II but were decisively defeated by a Covenanter army at Carbisdale. The battle occurred near Strathcarron and featured strategic use of intelligence and terrain by Covenanter commanders. The Royalist defeat disrupted plans to restore the monarchy and weakened Charles’s campaign in Scotland. Many Royalist soldiers were captured, and their ships fled back to Orkney. The victory bolstered the Covenanters’ control over Scotland and secured their alliance with the English Parliament. Carbisdale highlighted the complex alliances and shifting loyalties of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The battle’s outcome influenced the eventual defeat of Charles II’s forces at Worcester later that year.
1650 Battle of Carbisdale Royalist Orkney Covenanter
1805day.year

First Barbary War: United States Marines and Berbers attack the Tripolitan city of Derna (The "shores of Tripoli" in the Marines' Hymn).

During the First Barbary War, US Marines and their Berber allies launch a daring attack on the Tripolitan city of Derna, immortalized in the Marines' Hymn.
On April 27, 1805, a small force of United States Marines under Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon, supported by William Eaton and local Berber troops, stormed the fortified walls of Derna in modern-day Libya. This operation was part of the First Barbary War against the Barbary pirates of Tripoli. After a brief but fierce siege, the city fell, marking the first recorded land battle victory of the US Marine Corps. The success inspired the famous line "to the shores of Tripoli" in the Marine Corps Hymn. This bold expedition demonstrated early American resolve to challenge piracy and protect merchant shipping in the Mediterranean. The capture of Derna remains a celebrated episode in Marine Corps history.
1805 First Barbary War United States Marines Berbers Tripolitan Derna Marines' Hymn
1813day.year

War of 1812: American troops capture York, the capital of Upper Canada, in the Battle of York.

American forces seize York, the capital of Upper Canada, marking a key victory in the War of 1812.
On April 27, 1813, US troops under Major General Henry Dearborn landed on the shores of Lake Ontario and advanced on York (now Toronto). Facing limited resistance, American soldiers overcame the modest garrison defending the town. The occupation lasted several days and resulted in the seizure of valuable military supplies before a tactical withdrawal. During the retreat, the defenders detonated the fort's powder magazine, causing significant casualties. The raid on York escalated tensions and led to retaliatory actions in the conflict. This engagement underscored the fierce frontier warfare between the United States and British North America during the War of 1812.
1813 War of 1812 York Upper Canada Battle of York
1911day.year

The Second Canton Uprising took place in Guangzhou, Qing China but was suppressed.

A republican uprising in Guangzhou is crushed by Qing forces during the Second Canton Uprising.
On April 27, 1911, revolutionary activists in Guangzhou launched the Second Canton Uprising against the Qing dynasty. Inspired by nationalist and republican ideals, they aimed to establish a modern republic in southern China. Imperial troops responded swiftly, using superior firepower to suppress the revolt within days. While the uprising failed to achieve its immediate goals, it galvanized further revolutionary efforts. Key leaders evaded capture and continued planning, contributing to the momentum that led to the 1911 Revolution later that year. The revolt exposed the Qing dynasty's vulnerabilities and set the stage for the end of imperial rule in China.
1911 Second Canton Uprising Guangzhou Qing China
1941day.year

World War II: German troops enter Athens.

German forces occupy Athens as part of their Balkan campaign during World War II.
On April 27, 1941, German Wehrmacht units advanced into Athens following the capitulation of Greek and Allied forces. The occupation came after a swift German-led invasion of the Balkans, which included attacks on Yugoslavia and Greece. Street fighting in Athens was minimal, and German troops were met with limited resistance as the city's defenders withdrew. The occupation marked the start of a harsh military administration under Nazi control. Greek civilians endured rationing, repression, and economic hardship over the next three years. The fall of Athens demonstrated the Wehrmacht's strategic mobility and reshaped the course of the Eastern Mediterranean theater.
1941 World War II enter Athens
1945day.year

World War II: The last German formations withdraw from Finland to Norway. The Lapland War and thus, World War II in Finland, comes to an end and the Raising the Flag on the Three-Country Cairn photograph is taken.

The final German troops pull out of Finland, ending the Lapland War and closing World War II in that region, immortalized by the Raising the Flag on the Three-Country Cairn photograph.
In April 1945, German forces retreat from northern Finland towards Norway, marking the end of the three-year Lapland War. Finnish troops reclaim border areas as the occupying Germans conduct a scorched-earth withdrawal. The conflict formally concludes on April 27, 1945, bringing an end to World War II operations on Finnish soil. Photographer Eljas Löfström captures the iconic moment Finnish soldiers raise their nation's flag atop the Three-Country Cairn at Muotkavaara. The image symbolizes Finnish resilience and the broader closure of hostilities in Northern Europe. This event highlights a little-known theater of WWII and stands as a testament to Finland’s wartime endurance.
1945 Lapland War World War II in Finland Raising the Flag on the Three-Country Cairn
1953day.year

Operation Moolah offers $50,000 to any pilot who defects with a fully mission-capable Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 to South Korea. The first pilot was to receive $100,000.

Operation Moolah offers a reward to pilots who defect with a flight-ready MiG-15 to South Korea during the Korean War.
Launched in April 1953, Operation Moolah is a U.S. psychological warfare initiative to entice Soviet bloc pilots to defect. Washington promises $50,000 for a fully operational Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15, with an extra $50,000 for the first defector. Intelligence officers hope to study the advanced Soviet jet fighter to gain an edge in the ongoing Cold War air battles. Despite extensive propaganda broadcasts, no pilot claims the reward during the Korean War. The operation underscores the high-stakes aerial rivalry and clandestine efforts that defined the era.
1953 Operation Moolah Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
1978day.year

The Saur Revolution begins in Afghanistan, ending the following morning with the murder of Afghan President Mohammed Daoud Khan and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

A military coup in Afghanistan, the Saur Revolution, overthrows President Daoud Khan and establishes a Soviet-aligned republic.
In the early hours of April 27, 1978, Afghan military officers backed by the People’s Democratic Party launch a coup in Kabul. President Mohammed Daoud Khan’s government falls as rebel units secure key installations. Daoud and members of his family are killed by insurgent forces in the presidential palace. The PDPA declares the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan under President Nur Muhammad Taraki. This revolution marks the start of Soviet influence and decades of conflict in Afghanistan.
Saur Revolution Afghanistan Mohammed Daoud Khan Democratic Republic of Afghanistan