567 BC
Servius Tullius, the king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans.
Roman King Servius Tullius celebrates a triumph after defeating the Etruscans in 567 BC.
In 567 BC, Servius Tullius, the sixth king of Rome, achieved a decisive victory over the neighboring Etruscan cities. To honor this military success, he held a grand triumphal procession through the city’s streets. The ceremony showcased captured spoils and celebrated Roman supremacy. This event reinforced Servius Tullius’s authority and bolstered Rome’s growing influence in central Italy. The triumph became a lasting tradition for victorious generals in the Roman Republic and Empire, symbolizing victory and state power.
567 BC
Servius Tullius
Rome
triumph
Etruscans
1085day.year
Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo, Spain, back from the Moors.
Alfonso VI of Castile captures Toledo from the Moors in 1085, a pivotal moment in the Reconquista.
In 1085, King Alfonso VI led Castilian forces to retake the city of Toledo, which had been a center of Moorish rule in the Iberian Peninsula. The capture of Toledo marked a significant advance in the Christian Reconquista, shifting the balance of power in favor of the northern kingdoms. Toledo’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage, including its libraries and artisans, was absorbed into Castilian society. This victory opened the way for further campaigns southward and fostered a period of cultural exchange between Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The event is remembered as a turning point in medieval Spanish history, shaping the nation’s religious and political landscape for centuries.
1085
Alfonso VI of Castile
Toledo, Spain
Moors
1644day.year
Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan pass, letting the Manchus through towards the capital Beijing.
Ming general Wu Sangui allies with the Manchus and opens the Great Wall gates at Shanhaiguan in 1644, enabling the Qing conquest.
In 1644, facing rebellion and internal strife, the Ming general Wu Sangui made the fateful decision to ally with the invading Manchus. He opened the gates of the Great Wall at Shanhaiguan Pass, allowing Manchu forces to march unopposed toward Beijing. This act effectively sealed the fate of the crumbling Ming dynasty and ushered in the Qing dynasty’s rule over China. The alliance exemplified the complex power struggles of the period, where loyalty and survival often trumped dynasty. The event remains a pivotal moment in Chinese history, marking the end of native rule and the beginning of Manchu governance for nearly three centuries.
1644
Ming
Wu Sangui
Manchus
Great Wall of China
Shanhaiguan
1798day.year
United Irishmen Rebellion: Battle of Carlow begins; executions of suspected rebels at Carnew and at Dunlavin Green take place.
The Battle of Carlow marked a fierce confrontation in the United Irishmen Rebellion, with suspected rebels facing severe reprisals.
In May 1798, the United Irishmen Rebellion reached County Carlow as British forces clashed with Irish rebels seeking independence. The conflict began with armed engagements in and around the town of Carlow, where local volunteers attempted to seize control. Following the battle’s outbreak, suspected insurgents were captured and publicly executed at nearby Carnew and Dunlavin Green. Reports of mass executions inflamed tensions and fueled further resistance across Ireland. The Carlow encounters exemplified the brutal measures used by authorities to suppress the uprising. Although the rebellion was eventually quelled, it left a legacy of political unrest and inspired future national movements.
1798
United Irishmen Rebellion
Battle of Carlow
executions of suspected rebels at Carnew
at Dunlavin Green
1809day.year
Chuquisaca Revolution: Patriot revolt in Chuquisaca (modern-day Sucre) against the Spanish Empire, sparking the Latin American wars of independence.
The Chuquisaca Revolution ignited the fight for independence in modern-day Bolivia, challenging Spanish colonial rule.
On May 25, 1809, residents of Chuquisaca (now Sucre) rose against the Spanish colonial administration in the first major volley of Latin America’s struggle for liberation. Led by local intellectuals and Creole elites, the uprising aimed to establish self-governance and reject imperial authority. Although quickly suppressed by colonial troops, the revolt resonated across the continent and inspired neighboring regions to pursue autonomy. The event is often cited as the catalyst for the broader Latin American wars of independence that unfolded over the following decade. It demonstrated the growing discontent with colonial rule and the spread of revolutionary ideas from Europe. Today, the Chuquisaca Revolution is commemorated as a seminal moment in Bolivian history.
1809
Chuquisaca Revolution
Sucre
Spanish Empire
Latin American wars of independence
1810day.year
May Revolution: Citizens of Buenos Aires expel Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros during the "May Week", starting the Argentine War of Independence.
During the May Revolution, citizens of Buenos Aires deposed the Spanish viceroy, launching Argentina’s fight for independence.
In May 1810, a popular uprising in Buenos Aires led to the removal of Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros and the formation of a local government junta. The protest, known as the “May Week,” was fueled by news of Spain’s occupation by Napoleonic forces and a desire for self-determination. Public assemblies and demonstrations pressured colonial authorities to relinquish control, marking a peaceful yet decisive transfer of power. This event set Argentina on the path to full independence, officially declared in 1816. The May Revolution inspired similar movements throughout South America. It is celebrated annually in Argentina as a symbol of national identity and democratic aspirations.
1810
May Revolution
Buenos Aires
Viceroy
Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros
"May Week"
Argentine War of Independence
1938day.year
Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people.
Nationalist forces bombed Alicante during the Spanish Civil War in 1938, killing over 300 civilians.
On May 25, 1938, during the Spanish Civil War, Nationalist aircraft conducted a devastating bombing raid on the coastal city of Alicante. Waves of bombs struck residential areas, resulting in the deaths of 313 men, women, and children. The attack demonstrated the brutal tactics employed by both sides in the conflict and targeted non-military populations. Survivors recounted scenes of destruction and chaos as buildings collapsed and fires raged. International observers condemned the raid as a war crime and a symbol of the war's escalating violence. The bombing of Alicante underscored the civilian toll of aerial bombardment in modern warfare.
1938
Spanish Civil War
Alicante
1940day.year
World War II: The German 2nd Panzer Division captures the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer; the surrender of the last French and British troops marks the end of the Battle of Boulogne.
In 1940, Germany's 2nd Panzer Division captured Boulogne-sur-Mer, forcing the surrender of Allied troops and ending the Battle of Boulogne.
On May 25, 1940, as part of the German blitzkrieg in Western Europe, the 2nd Panzer Division seized the strategic port city of Boulogne-sur-Mer. After intense fighting, the last French and British defenders surrendered, marking the conclusion of the Battle of Boulogne. The fall of the port hindered Allied evacuation efforts and tightened the German grip on northern France. Thousands of troops were taken prisoner or narrowly escaped by sea. The action preluded the mass evacuation at Dunkirk and highlighted the speed and effectiveness of German armored units. Boulogne-sur-Mer's capture demonstrated the vulnerability of static defenses against mobile warfare.
1940
World War II
2nd Panzer Division
Boulogne-sur-Mer
Battle of Boulogne
1982day.year
Falklands War: HMS Coventry is sunk by Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawks.
HMS Coventry was sunk by Argentine A-4 Skyhawks during the Falklands War, marking a significant loss for the Royal Navy.
On May 25, 1982, during the Falklands War, the British frigate HMS Coventry was attacked and sunk by Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawk jets in the South Atlantic. While on patrol to support British land operations, Coventry came under a coordinated low-level air assault that inflicted fatal damage. Nineteen crew members lost their lives, and many others were rescued from the icy waters. The sinking highlighted the vulnerability of naval vessels to airborne threats and led to adjustments in fleet air defense tactics. Coventry’s loss impacted British morale and strategy, underscoring the intensity of the conflict over the Falkland Islands. Today, the wreck serves as a war grave and a reminder of the naval battles that shaped the campaign.
1982
Falklands War
HMS Coventry
Argentine Air Force
A-4 Skyhawks
2000day.year
Liberation Day of Lebanon: Israel withdraws its army from Lebanese territory (with the exception of the disputed Shebaa farms zone) 18 years after the invasion of 1982.
Israel completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, marking the end of its 18-year military presence except in the disputed Shebaa Farms.
On May 25, 2000, Israel withdrew its armed forces from most of southern Lebanon, concluding an 18-year occupation that began with the 1982 Lebanon War. The pullout ended the South Lebanon Army's proxy administration and fulfilled a primary Israeli demand for security along its northern border. Hezbollah hailed the withdrawal as a victory, boosting its influence in Lebanese politics and across the region. However, Israeli troops remained in the contested Shebaa Farms area, which has continued to fuel tensions between Israel and Lebanon. The withdrawal led to a fragile peace marked by sporadic skirmishes along the border. Liberation Day is now commemorated in Lebanon as a national holiday celebrating resistance and sovereignty.
2000
Liberation Day of Lebanon
Israel
Shebaa farms
invasion of 1982
2009day.year
North Korea allegedly tests its second nuclear device, after which Pyongyang also conducts several missile tests, building tensions in the international community.
On May 25, 2009, North Korea claimed to conduct its second nuclear test, heightening international tensions.
The test was carried out at the Punggye-ri nuclear facility in the northeastern part of the country. Seismic readings indicated a small underground explosion, although yield estimates varied. The United Nations Security Council condemned the action and imposed fresh sanctions on Pyongyang. Shortly afterward, North Korea also launched several missile tests, further alarming neighboring nations. These actions deepened diplomatic isolation and fueled concerns over regional security. The episode underscored the challenges of curbing nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula.
2009
North Korea
its second nuclear device
2013day.year
Suspected Maoist rebels kill at least 28 people and injure 32 others in an attack on a convoy of Indian National Congress politicians in Chhattisgarh, India.
In May 2013, Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh ambushed an Indian National Congress convoy, killing 28 and injuring 32.
The ambush took place on a forested road in Bastar district, a region long troubled by Naxalite activity. Insurgents reportedly used explosives and automatic weapons to target the bus carrying local party officials. The attack left dozens dead or wounded before security forces arrived. It marked one of the deadliest incidents in the insurgency, prompting a major security operation. Government officials condemned the violence and vowed to intensify anti-Maoist operations. The event underscored the ongoing challenges of insurgency and development in central India's tribal areas.
2013
Maoist rebels
an attack
Indian National Congress
Chhattisgarh