1091day.year
Battle of Levounion: The Pechenegs are defeated by Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
Byzantine forces under Alexios I Komnenos crush the Pechenegs at the Battle of Levounion.
On April 29, 1091, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos led Byzantine troops against a large Pecheneg horde near Levounion.
The battle ended in a decisive victory for Byzantium, effectively eliminating the Pecheneg threat to the empire's northern borders.
Alexios's tactical use of feigned retreats and surprise flank attacks proved devastating.
Thousands of Pecheneg warriors were killed or captured, and survivors sought refuge far from Byzantine lands.
This triumph secured the Balkans for the Byzantines and bolstered Alexios's authority at home.
The victory at Levounion marked a turning point in Alexios's reign, paving the way for future military and political reforms.
It ushered in a period of relative stability along the empire's Danubian frontier.
1091
Battle of Levounion
Pechenegs
Byzantine Emperor
Alexios I Komnenos
1429day.year
Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orléans.
Joan of Arc arrives at Orléans, marking a turning point in the Hundred Years' War.
On April 29, 1429, the young French heroine Joan of Arc arrived at the besieged city of Orléans.
Her presence energized the defenders and lifted morale at a critical moment in the Hundred Years' War.
Joan's bold leadership and unwavering faith inspired a series of attacks that gradually pushed back the English forces.
Within days, French troops secured key fortifications and disrupted the siege lines surrounding the city.
This moment heralded the beginning of a string of French victories that would culminate in Charles VII's coronation.
Joan of Arc's arrival is celebrated as a pivotal event that renewed French national spirit.
Her actions at Orléans transformed her into a legendary figure in French history.
1429
Joan of Arc
Siege of Orléans
1483day.year
Gran Canaria, the main island of the Canary Islands, is conquered by the Kingdom of Castile.
The Kingdom of Castile conquers Gran Canaria, expanding Spanish control in the Canary Islands.
On April 29, 1483, Castilian forces completed the conquest of Gran Canaria, the archipelago's main island.
The island's indigenous Guanche population had resisted for years before finally capitulating.
This victory was part of the larger Castilian effort to secure Atlantic trade routes and establish strategic naval bases.
Following the conquest, Castile instituted colonial governance and began the systematic settlement of Europeans.
Economic exploitation of the island's resources, including sugar cane, soon followed, transforming its economy.
Gran Canaria's fall marked a key milestone in Spain's rise as a seafaring empire in the late 15th century.
1483
Gran Canaria
Canary Islands
Kingdom of Castile
1521day.year
Swedish War of Liberation: Swedish troops defeat a Danish force in the Battle of Västerås.
Swedish rebels claim a crucial victory at the Battle of Västerås during the War of Liberation.
On April 29, 1521, Swedish forces under Gustav Vasa won a decisive battle at Västerås against Danish troops.
This confrontation was a turning point in the Swedish War of Liberation against King Christian II of Denmark.
The victory strengthened the resolve of Swedish nobles to break free from the Kalmar Union.
Gustav Vasa's leadership and promises of greater autonomy rallied local support for the rebellion.
News of the triumph spread quickly, inspiring uprisings in other parts of Sweden.
Within months, the Danish grip on Sweden faltered, leading to Gustav Vasa's eventual election as king.
The Battle of Västerås thus laid the foundation for the independent Swedish monarchy.
1521
Swedish War of Liberation
Battle of Västerås
1760day.year
French forces commence the siege of Quebec which is held by the British.
French troops begin the 1760 siege of British-held Quebec during the Seven Years' War.
On April 29, 1760, French forces launched a siege against British-held Quebec City on the St. Lawrence River.
This offensive was France's attempt to recapture the strategic stronghold seized by Britain in 1759.
The besieging army entrenched around the city, bombarding British defenses and supply lines.
Harsh weather and limited resources challenged both the attackers and the besieged garrison.
Despite sustained pressure, the French were unable to breach Quebec's fortifications.
British reinforcements led by Colonel Murray eventually broke the siege in the summer.
The failed operation cemented British control over Canada in the aftermath of the war.
1760
siege of Quebec
1781day.year
American Revolutionary War: British and French ships clash in the Battle of Fort Royal off the coast of Martinique.
British and French fleets clash at the Battle of Fort Royal during the American Revolutionary War.
On April 29, 1781, naval forces of Britain and France engaged off the coast of Martinique near Fort Royal.
The clash was part of the broader struggle for control of Caribbean sea lanes during the American Revolutionary War.
French Admiral de Grasse aimed to protect vital colonial possessions and disrupt British shipping.
Despite fierce fighting, neither side achieved a decisive victory, and both fleets withdrew under cover of darkness.
The encounter demonstrated the strategic importance of the Caribbean in global 18th-century conflicts.
Control of islands like Martinique affected supply routes for both European powers and their American allies.
The battle reinforced French naval commitment to challenging British dominance at sea.
1781
American Revolutionary War
Battle of Fort Royal
Martinique
1862day.year
American Civil War: The Capture of New Orleans by Union forces under David Farragut.
Union naval forces under Admiral David Farragut captured New Orleans, a major Confederate port, securing a vital gateway to the Mississippi River.
On April 29, 1862, Union Admiral David Farragut led a daring naval operation past Confederate fortifications on the Mississippi River and captured New Orleans.
This victory crippled Confederate control of the river and split their territory in two.
The fall of New Orleans bolstered Union morale and demonstrated the strategic importance of naval power in the Civil War.
Farragut's success was a key step in the Union's Anaconda Plan to blockade Southern ports and divide the Confederacy.
It also prompted the Confederacy to strengthen river defenses at remaining strongholds.
1862
American Civil War
Capture of New Orleans
David Farragut
1862day.year
American Civil War: The Siege of Corinth begins as Union forces under General Henry Halleck moves to engage Confederate forces led by General P. G. T. Beauregard.
The Siege of Corinth marks the start of a Union campaign to seize the strategic railroad hub of Corinth from Confederate control.
On April 29, 1862, Union General Henry Halleck advanced his forces to begin the Siege of Corinth, targeting the vital rail junction in Mississippi.
Corinth served as a critical supply hub for Confederate armies, linking the Mobile and Memphis railroads.
Union troops entrenched around the town and prepared for a prolonged campaign rather than a direct assault.
Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard attempted to delay them with skirmishes and fortifications.
The siege eventually forced Confederate forces to withdraw, demonstrating careful maneuver warfare over frontal attacks.
Siege of Corinth
Union
Henry Halleck
Confederate
P. G. T. Beauregard
1916day.year
World War I: The UK's 6th Indian Division surrenders to Ottoman Forces at the Siege of Kut in one of the largest surrenders of British forces up to that point.
At the Siege of Kut, the British 6th Indian Division capitulated to Ottoman forces, marking one of the largest Allied surrenders of World War I.
On April 29, 1916, after a grueling five-month siege, the British Army's 6th Indian Division surrendered at Kut to Ottoman forces.
The garrison had been cut off by Turkish troops and suffered from disease and starvation.
Nearly 13,000 troops became prisoners, marking one of the largest Allied surrenders of World War I.
The defeat highlighted the challenges of the Mesopotamian campaign and stretched British resources.
It also underscored the resilience and strategic skill of Ottoman commanders in defending their territory.
1916
World War I
6th Indian Division
Ottoman Forces
Siege of Kut
1916day.year
Easter Rising: After six days of fighting, Irish rebel leaders surrender to British forces in Dublin, bringing the Easter Rising to an end.
After six days of rebellion, Irish leaders surrendered in Dublin, ending the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule.
On April 29, 1916, key leaders of the Easter Rising in Ireland surrendered to British forces in Dublin, ending six days of rebellion.
Irish republicans had seized strategic locations but failed to secure broad public support.
The rebels raised the Irish tricolor above the General Post Office as their provisional government.
After heavy fighting and civilian casualties, Patrick Pearse formally surrendered to prevent further loss of life.
The harsh British response in the aftermath galvanized support for Irish independence.
Easter Rising
Dublin
1945day.year
World War II: The Surrender of Caserta is signed by the commander of German forces in Italy.
German forces in Italy signed the Surrender of Caserta, effectively ending hostilities in the Italian theater of World War II.
On April 29, 1945, German forces in Italy signed the Surrender of Caserta, formally ending their resistance in the Italian campaign.
General Heinrich von Vietinghoff agreed to unconditional surrender terms with Allied commander Field Marshal Harold Alexander.
The document covered German troops in Italy, Tuscany, and the Balkans.
It paved the way for the Allies to secure northern Italy and push into Austria and Germany.
This surrender was a significant step toward the end of World War II in Europe.
1945
Surrender of Caserta
1945day.year
World War II: Airdrops of food begin over German-occupied regions of the Netherlands.
Allied planes commenced Operation Manna, dropping food supplies over the famine-stricken Netherlands, alleviating civilian suffering under German occupation.
On April 29, 1945, Allied aircraft began Operation Manna, a series of humanitarian airdrops over the famine-stricken Netherlands.
Thousands of tons of food were parachuted to Dutch civilians suffering under the German occupation's 'Hunger Winter.'
The drops required careful coordination to avoid anti-aircraft fire and ensure accurate delivery.
Dutch ground crews marked drop zones with orange panels and flares to guide pilots.
Operation Manna provided critical relief and remains a symbol of Allied humanitarian efforts in wartime.
Airdrops of food