May 26

Events - Wars & Conflicts

17day.year

Germanicus celebrates a triumph in Rome for his victories over the Cherusci, Chatti, and other German tribes west of the Elbe.

Roman general Germanicus was honored with a triumphal procession in Rome after his victories over Germanic tribes.
On May 26, AD 17, Germanicus Maximus returned to Rome, marking his military success with a state-sponsored triumph. The Roman Senate and people welcomed him as he paraded through the city with captured spoils and prisoners. His victories over the Cherusci, Chatti, and other tribes west of the Elbe were pivotal in securing Rome's frontier. The procession featured lavish displays of treasures, exotic animals, and the banners of defeated foes. Germanicus's triumph bolstered his popular reputation and reinforced Rome's dominance over the Germanic territories. This celebratory event highlighted the political and military power of the Roman Empire during Emperor Tiberius's reign.
17 Germanicus triumph Cherusci Chatti German tribes Elbe
451day.year

Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sasanian Empire takes place. The Sasanids defeat the Armenians militarily but guarantee them freedom to openly practice Christianity.

Armenian rebels fought the Sasanian Empire at Avarayr, securing religious freedom despite military defeat.
On May 26, 451, Armenian noblemen and peasants united under Vardan Mamikonian to challenge Sasanian rule at Avarayr. Although the Armenian forces were defeated in battle, they displayed remarkable courage and unity. In the aftermath, the Sasanian emperor granted Armenians the right to practice Christianity openly. This battle became a symbol of Armenian resistance and commitment to their Christian faith. The legacy of Avarayr influenced Armenian culture and national identity for centuries. Today, it is commemorated as a pivotal moment in Armenia's religious and political history.
451 Battle of Avarayr Armenian Sasanian Empire Christianity
1573day.year

The Battle of Haarlemmermeer, a naval engagement in the Eighty Years' War.

A naval battle was fought on Haarlemmermeer lake during the Eighty Years' War.
On May 26, 1573, Dutch rebel forces engaged the Spanish navy on the waters of Haarlemmermeer. The confrontation was part of the larger struggle for Dutch independence from Habsburg Spain. Using small, maneuverable vessels, the Dutch aimed to disrupt Spanish supply lines. Although details of the battle remain obscure, it exemplified the innovative use of inland waterways. The conflict on Haarlemmermeer contributed to the prolonged resistance that led to the Dutch Republic's emergence. Naval engagements like this one underscored the strategic importance of the Netherlands' geography.
1573 Battle of Haarlemmermeer Eighty Years' War
1637day.year

Pequot War: A combined English and Mohegan force under John Mason attacks a village in Connecticut, massacring approximately 500 Pequots.

English and Mohegan forces attacked a Pequot village in Connecticut, massacring around 500 inhabitants.
On May 26, 1637, Captain John Mason led English colonists and Mohegan allies against a Pequot fortification at Mystic, Connecticut. The assault resulted in the massacre of an estimated 500 Pequot men, women, and children. Utilizing coordinated musket fire and set fires, the attackers overwhelmed the village quickly. This brutal engagement marked a turning point in the Pequot War and colonial-Native American relations. The victory significantly weakened the Pequot tribe's power and opened the region for further English settlement. The tragedy at Mystic remains a contentious and somber chapter in early American history.
1637 Pequot War Mohegan John Mason Connecticut massacring Pequots
1644day.year

Portuguese Restoration War: Portuguese and Spanish forces both claim victory in the Battle of Montijo.

Both Portuguese and Spanish forces claimed victory at the Battle of Montijo during the Portuguese Restoration War.
By May 26, 1644, the Portuguese Restoration War had entered its fourth year. The Battle of Montijo saw Portuguese cavalry launch a surprise attack on Spanish forces deep in Spain. Despite heavy fighting, both sides claimed victory: the Portuguese for driving the Spanish back and the Spanish for inflicting significant losses. The contest demonstrated the skill and determination of the Portuguese army under King John IV. Though the battle did not end the war, it provided a much-needed boost to Portuguese morale. Historians regard Montijo as a symbol of the emerging Portuguese national identity. The conflict would continue until Spain formally recognized Portuguese independence in 1668.
1644 Portuguese Restoration War Battle of Montijo
1736day.year

The Battle of Ackia is fought near the present site of Tupelo, Mississippi. British and Chickasaw soldiers repel a French and Choctaw attack on the then-Chickasaw village of Ackia.

British and Chickasaw forces repelled a French and Choctaw attack at the Battle of Ackia near present-day Tupelo, securing Chickasaw territory.
On May 26, 1736, British colonial authorities and their Chickasaw allies defended the fortified village of Ackia against a combined French and Choctaw force. The battle was part of ongoing competition between France and Britain for influence in North America. Chickasaw warriors used well-constructed earthworks and fortified defenses to withstand repeated assaults. French troops under Captain Étienne de Perier suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat. The victory solidified the Chickasaw alliance with the British and protected vital trade routes. Though relatively small in scale, the Battle of Ackia had significant impact on regional power dynamics during the colonial era.
1736 Battle of Ackia Tupelo, Mississippi Chickasaw Choctaw
1865day.year

Conclusion of the American Civil War: The Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith, commander of the Trans-Mississippi division, is the last full general of the Confederate Army to surrender, at Galveston, Texas.

Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith, commander of the Trans-Mississippi Division, surrendered at Galveston, marking the final full general surrender of the Confederate Army.
On May 26, 1865, General Edmund Kirby Smith formally surrendered the Trans-Mississippi Department at Galveston, Texas. This event marked the last full general of the Confederate Army laying down arms after the Appomattox surrender. Smith had hoped to continue resistance west of the Mississippi but accepted the reality of Confederate defeat. The surrender freed thousands of formerly enslaved people in the region and signaled the true end of the Civil War. Union authorities reintegrated the territory, and Reconstruction policies soon followed. Smith later moved to Mexico before returning to the United States where he pursued a civilian career.
1865 Conclusion of the American Civil War Confederate Edmund Kirby Smith Trans-Mississippi Confederate Army Galveston, Texas
1900day.year

Thousand Days' War: The Colombian Conservative Party turns the tide of war in their favor with victory against the Colombian Liberal Party in the Battle of Palonegro.

In 1900, the Colombian Conservative Party secured a decisive victory over the Liberals at the Battle of Palonegro, shifting the momentum of the Thousand Days' War.
The Battle of Palonegro took place on May 26, 1900, during the Thousand Days' War in Colombia. Conservative government forces halted a major Liberal offensive near the town of Palonegro. The victory reversed the momentum of the war and secured strategic rail and road links for the Conservatives. Fierce trench warfare and artillery duels marked the engagement, yielding heavy casualties on both sides. The triumph boosted Conservative morale and weakened Liberal resolve in subsequent campaigns. Despite occasional Liberal resurgence, the Conservatives maintained the initiative after Palonegro. The battle exemplified the brutality of civil conflicts and the struggle over Colombia’s political future. It remains a significant episode in the country's early 20th-century history.
1900 Thousand Days' War Colombian Conservative Party Colombian Liberal Party Battle of Palonegro
1940day.year

World War II: Operation Dynamo: In northern France, Allied forces begin a massive evacuation from Dunkirk, France. The Battle of Dunkirk begins simultaneously as Allied defenders fight to slow down the German offensive.

Operation Dynamo saw Allied forces launch a massive evacuation from Dunkirk, France, as troops held off German advances in a desperate struggle for survival.
On May 26, 1940, Allied commanders initiated Operation Dynamo, an ambitious evacuation plan to rescue encircled British, French, and Belgian troops from Dunkirk’s beaches. Facing rapid German advances, over 400,000 soldiers were trapped between the sea and enemy forces. A flotilla of naval vessels, civilian fishing boats, yachts, and pleasure crafts braved aerial bombardment and artillery fire to ferry troops to safety across the English Channel. The operation underscored the bravery of both servicemen and volunteer seafarers, becoming known as the “Miracle of Dunkirk.” While matériel and tanks were left behind, the evacuation salvaged a core of battle-hardened troops crucial for Britain’s continued resistance. The Battle of Dunkirk simultaneously delayed the German offensive, buying time for Britain to rally its defenses. Operation Dynamo would later be celebrated as a testament to Allied solidarity and determination in the face of adversity.
1940 World War II Operation Dynamo Allied Dunkirk Battle of Dunkirk German
1940day.year

World War II: The Siege of Calais ends with the surrender of the British and French garrison.

British and French forces surrendered at Calais after enduring a prolonged siege by German troops, concluding a key World War II engagement.
On May 26, 1940, the outnumbered British and French garrison at Calais capitulated to German forces after a week-long siege. The defenders had held strategic coastal positions in northern France, aiming to delay the German advance towards Dunkirk. Their resistance tied down enemy divisions, contributing to the success of Operation Dynamo by diverting German resources. Despite being cut off from reinforcements and running low on supplies, the garrison’s steadfast defense exemplified Allied resolve. The fall of Calais marked a pivotal moment in the Battle of France, as German forces secured another coastal foothold. Prisoners taken at Calais would include thousands of Allied troops who narrowly missed evacuation. The siege’s legacy endures as a demonstration of sacrifice and heroism in the face of overwhelming odds.
Siege of Calais
1942day.year

World War II: The Battle of Gazala begins, in present-day Libya.

The Battle of Gazala erupted in Libya as Axis and Allied forces clashed over strategic desert positions in one of North Africa’s major World War II campaigns.
On May 26, 1942, Axis forces under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel launched an offensive against the British Eighth Army’s Gazala line in western Libya. The fierce desert battle would become one of the largest engagements of the North African campaign. Over the following weeks, both sides maneuvered tanks, infantry, and artillery across harsh terrain, often fighting over derelict minefields and supply routes. Rommel’s use of mobile armored thrusts earned him the nickname “Desert Fox,” but the Allies mounted a determined defense. The confrontation culminated in the fall of Tobruk, delivering a significant blow to Allied morale. However, logistical challenges and extended supply lines would later check the Axis advance. The Battle of Gazala exemplified the ebb and flow of desert warfare and showcased the strategic importance of supply and mobility.
1942 Battle of Gazala Libya
1971day.year

Bangladesh Liberation War: The Pakistan Army slaughters at least 71 Hindus in Burunga, Sylhet, Bangladesh.

During the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Pakistan Army massacres at least 71 Hindu villagers in Burunga, Sylhet, one of the many tragic atrocities of the conflict.
On May 26, 1971, during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Pakistan Army carried out a brutal massacre in the village of Burunga in Sylhet district. Over the course of a single day, soldiers targeted Hindu civilians, killing at least 71 men, women, and children. Witnesses described indiscriminate shootings and summary executions that terrorized the local population. The atrocity occurred amid a broader campaign of violence and repression aimed at crushing the Bengali independence movement. International reports later drew attention to the systematic nature of the killings, contributing to global condemnation. The Burunga massacre remains one of the tragic symbols of the suffering endured by civilians in the conflict and is remembered in Bangladesh as a solemn testament to the cost of freedom.
1971 Bangladesh Liberation War Pakistan Army slaughters Sylhet