May 24

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1218day.year

The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt.

European crusaders depart Acre in 1218 to launch the Fifth Crusade against Egypt.
Under papal encouragement, followers of the Fifth Crusade set out from Acre aiming to weaken Muslim control in the Eastern Mediterranean. Their strategic objective was to capture the city of Damietta in Egypt, believing it would open the road to Jerusalem. Although they besieged Damietta successfully in 1219, internal disputes and environmental challenges hampered further advances. The campaign ultimately ended without achieving its larger goals. Nonetheless, the Crusade demonstrated the enduring resolve of European forces in the Holy Land and shaped subsequent military and diplomatic efforts.
1218 Fifth Crusade Acre Egypt
1667day.year

The French Royal Army crosses the border into the Spanish Netherlands, starting the War of Devolution opposing France to the Spanish Empire and the Triple Alliance.

France invades the Spanish Netherlands in 1667, sparking the War of Devolution against Spain and its allies.
Under King Louis XIV, French forces marched into the Spanish Netherlands to press territorial claims through the Devolution Law. The action triggered opposition from the Spanish Empire and a coalition known as the Triple Alliance, consisting of England, Sweden, and the Dutch Republic. Despite diplomatic protests, France secured key cities before negotiations led to the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1668. The conflict showcased Louis XIV's expansionist ambitions and reshaped power dynamics in Western Europe. It also presaged further wars that would define his reign.
1667 French Royal Army Spanish Netherlands War of Devolution France Spanish Empire Triple Alliance
1798day.year

The Irish Rebellion of 1798 led by the United Irishmen against British rule begins.

The Irish Rebellion of 1798, led by the United Irishmen, began on May 24, challenging British rule in Ireland.
The Irish Rebellion of 1798 erupted on May 24 when members of the United Irishmen mounted an armed uprising against British rule. Inspired by the ideals of the American and French revolutions, the society sought to establish an independent Irish republic free from religious discrimination. Although initially achieving surprise and local successes, the rebels lacked unified leadership and adequate arms. British forces responded with overwhelming military might, and the uprising was effectively crushed by late summer. The conflict resulted in heavy casualties on both sides and deepened sectarian divisions in Ireland. Despite its failure, the rebellion galvanized future nationalist movements and remains a potent symbol of Irish resistance.
1798 Irish Rebellion of 1798 United Irishmen
1813day.year

South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El Libertador ("The Liberator").

Simón Bolívar entered Mérida in 1813, was proclaimed El Libertador, and advanced the cause of Venezuelan independence.
On May 24, 1813, South American independence hero Simón Bolívar triumphantly entered the city of Mérida during his Admirable Campaign against Spanish colonial forces. His arrival marked a significant breakthrough in the struggle for independence in Venezuela, inspiring local patriots to join the cause. Bolívar's bold military maneuvers had driven the royalist troops from key strongholds, paving the way for further liberations across the region. Upon his entry into Mérida, he was hailed as El Libertador ('The Liberator'), a title that would define his enduring legacy. The campaign showcased Bolívar's strategic brilliance and charismatic leadership, which became central to the broader Latin American independence movements. This milestone moment solidified his reputation as one of the most influential figures in the fight for freedom from colonial rule.
1813 Simón Bolívar Mérida Venezuela
1822day.year

Battle of Pichincha: Antonio José de Sucre secures the independence of the Presidency of Quito.

Antonio José de Sucre's victory at the Battle of Pichincha on May 24, 1822 secured independence for the Presidency of Quito from Spanish rule.
The Battle of Pichincha, fought on May 24, 1822, took place on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano overlooking Quito. Rebel forces under General Antonio José de Sucre launched a daring ascent to outflank the Spanish royalist troops. After fierce fighting in rugged Andean terrain, Sucre's army achieved a decisive victory, effectively ending Spanish control over the Presidency of Quito. This triumph paved the way for the creation of Gran Colombia and the eventual formation of the Republic of Ecuador. The battle demonstrated the tactical skill and resolve of the independence fighters and cemented Sucre's reputation as a key military leader. Today, Pichincha remains a symbol of liberation in Ecuadorian national memory.
1822 Battle of Pichincha Antonio José de Sucre Presidency of Quito
1856day.year

John Brown and his men kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas.

Anti-slavery militant John Brown and his followers killed five pro-slavery settlers at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas, on May 24, 1856.
On the night of May 24, 1856, abolitionist John Brown and his men attacked and killed five pro-slavery settlers along Pottawatomie Creek in Kansas Territory. This violent action was part of the escalating 'Bleeding Kansas' conflict over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state. Brown's raid intensified sectional tensions and provoked outrage and reprisals from both sides. The incident galvanized Northern abolitionists while hardening Southern pro-slavery resolve, bringing the nation closer to civil war. Despite its brutality, the Pottawatomie massacre became a symbol of the fierce moral and political struggles gripping America. The event highlighted how extremist tactics could inflame an already volatile national debate.
1856 John Brown kill five slavery supporters at Pottawatomie Creek, Kansas
1861day.year

American Civil War: Union troops occupy Alexandria, Virginia, with Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth becoming the first Union officer to be killed during the war.

Union troops occupied Alexandria, Virginia, on May 24, 1861, and Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth became the first Union officer killed in the American Civil War.
On May 24, 1861, early in the American Civil War, Union forces crossed into Virginia and occupied the strategic town of Alexandria just days after the state seceded. Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth led the 11th New York Infantry in removing a Confederate flag from the roof of the Marshall House Inn. As he descended the stairs after cutting down the flag, he was fatally shot by the innkeeper, James Jackson, making Ellsworth the first Union officer killed in the conflict. His death became a rallying point for Northern morale and propaganda, with Ellsworth hailed as a martyr by Union supporters. The incident underscored the war's personal and symbolic dimensions from its very outset. Alexandria's occupation also secured a valuable supply route and staging ground for the Union Army's operations near the capital.
1861 American Civil War Union Alexandria, Virginia Elmer E. Ellsworth
1900day.year

Second Boer War: The United Kingdom annexes the Orange Free State.

During the Second Boer War, British forces formally annexed the Orange Free State, expanding imperial control in South Africa.
On May 24, 1900, British troops officially incorporated the Orange Free State into the British Empire amid the Second Boer War. The annexation followed intense battles between the Boer republics and British forces seeking to control South Africa’s gold-rich territories. Boer commandos continued guerrilla warfare even after formal annexation, prolonging the conflict until 1902. The war exposed strategic and humanitarian issues, including the use of concentration camps holding Boer civilians. Britain’s victory reshaped South African politics, economy, and racial policies, influencing future apartheid structures. The annexation remains a controversial chapter in colonial history and South Africa’s path to union and independence.
1900 Second Boer War Orange Free State
1915day.year

World War I: Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary, joining the conflict on the side of the Allies.

Italy entered World War I by declaring war on Austria-Hungary, shifting the balance on the Italian Front.
On May 24, 1915, Italy officially declared war on Austria-Hungary, joining the Allies in World War I. The decision followed lengthy negotiations and the promise of territorial gains outlined in the secret Treaty of London. Italian forces launched offensives along the mountainous Isonzo front, facing fierce resistance from Austro-Hungarian troops. The declaration marked Italy’s transition from a neutral power to an active combatant in a global conflict. The Italian Front became notorious for grueling trench warfare and high casualties in harsh alpine conditions. Italy’s involvement influenced the broader strategic dynamics of World War I and postwar territorial settlements.
1915 World War I Italy Austria-Hungary the Allies
1941day.year

World War II: Battle of the Atlantic: In the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the German battleship Bismarck sinks the pride of the Royal Navy, HMS Hood, killing all but three crewmen.

During World War II’s Battle of the Denmark Strait, the German battleship Bismarck sank HMS Hood, dealing a heavy blow to the Royal Navy.
On May 24, 1941, in the North Atlantic’s Denmark Strait, the German battleship Bismarck engaged HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales. Within minutes of opening fire, Bismarck struck Hood’s magazine, causing a catastrophic explosion that sank the pride of the Royal Navy. Only three of Hood’s 1,418 crew members survived, marking one of the Royal Navy’s greatest maritime losses. The clash demonstrated Bismarck’s firepower and speed, prompting a massive British pursuit to neutralize the threat. Hood’s sinking galvanized British public opinion and naval strategy, leading to an intensive hunt that ended with Bismarck’s destruction. The battle remains one of World War II’s most dramatic naval engagements and a symbol of maritime warfare’s stakes.
1941 World War II Battle of the Atlantic Battle of the Denmark Strait German battleship Bismarck Royal Navy HMS Hood
1944day.year

Börse Berlin building burns down after being hit in an air raid during World War II.

The Börse Berlin stock exchange building was destroyed by fire after a World War II air raid, marking significant wartime damage to Germany’s financial center.
On May 24, 1944, Allied bombers targeted Berlin’s financial district, striking the Börse Berlin stock exchange building. The air raid ignited a fire that consumed the historic structure, disrupting trading and symbolizing the war’s reach into Germany’s economy. The destruction reflected the intensifying Allied bombing campaign against urban and industrial targets in late WWII. Firefighters struggled to contain the blaze amid ongoing aerial assaults and minimal firefighting resources. The loss of Börse Berlin underscored the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure during total war. The building’s ruin became emblematic of the widespread devastation Berlin endured before the war’s end.
1944 Börse Berlin World War II
1948day.year

Arab–Israeli War: Egypt captures the Israeli kibbutz of Yad Mordechai, but the five-day effort gives Israeli forces time to prepare enough to stop the Egyptian advance a week later.

During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Egyptian forces seized Kibbutz Yad Mordechai but the prolonged battle allowed Israeli troops to fortify defenses and halt their advance.
In late May 1948, Egyptian troops launched an assault on the southern front of the newly declared State of Israel. After five days of intense fighting, they succeeded in capturing the strategic Kibbutz Yad Mordechai on May 24. Despite this tactical victory, the defenders' staunch resistance delayed the Egyptian advance. This crucial reprieve enabled Israeli forces to bring in reinforcements and strengthen defensive positions in the south. Ultimately, the time gained at Yad Mordechai contributed to stopping the Egyptian push and influenced the war's subsequent front lines.
1948 Arab–Israeli War captures kibbutz Yad Mordechai