May 29

Events - Wars & Conflicts

363day.year

The Roman emperor Julian defeats the Sasanian army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Sasanian capital, but is unable to take the city.

Emperor Julian won a significant victory over the Sasanian forces near Ctesiphon but failed to breach the city walls.
On May 29, 363, Roman emperor Julian led his legions against the Sasanian army outside Ctesiphon. His troops inflicted heavy casualties and forced the Persians to retreat. Despite this battlefield success, the formidable city walls and supply shortages prevented a full-scale assault. Julian's failure to capture the Sasanian capital halted his ambitious Persian campaign. The encounter highlighted both Roman martial prowess and the resilience of Persian defenses. The campaign ultimately ended in Julian's retreat and premature death later that year. This battle remains a testament to the ebb and flow of the Roman–Persian rivalry.
363 Roman emperor Julian Sasanian army Battle of Ctesiphon Sasanian
1108day.year

Battle of Uclés: Almoravid troops under the command of Tamim ibn Yusuf defeat a Castile and León alliance under the command of Prince Sancho Alfónsez.

Almoravid forces under Tamim ibn Yusuf crushed a Castile and León army at Uclés, delivering a heavy blow to the Christian Reconquista.
The Battle of Uclés took place on May 29, 1108, near the town of Uclés in central Spain. Tamim ibn Yusuf led a disciplined Almoravid army against a coalition of Castilian and Leonese knights under Prince Sancho Alfónsez. The Christian forces suffered a devastating defeat, with many nobles killed or captured, including the heir to the Castilian throne. This victory secured Almoravid control over large parts of Iberia and slowed the pace of the Reconquista. The defeat forced the Christian kingdoms to regroup and reconsider their military strategies. The aftermath of Uclés shaped Iberian politics for years to come.
1108 Battle of Uclés Almoravid Castile León Sancho Alfónsez
1167day.year

Battle of Monte Porzio: A Roman army supporting Pope Alexander III is defeated by Christian of Buch and Rainald of Dassel.

Imperial forces under Christian of Buch defeated a papal army supporting Alexander III at Monte Porzio, shifting the power balance in Rome.
On May 29, 1167, the Battle of Monte Porzio unfolded near Rome as imperial forces clashed with troops loyal to Pope Alexander III. Christian of Buch and Rainald of Dassel commanded a well organized force loyal to Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The papal army, though valorous, was outmaneuvered and suffered a crushing defeat. This setback weakened Alexander III's position in Italy and bolstered imperial influence over the city of Rome. The outcome underscored the ongoing conflict between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. It paved the way for further negotiations and conflicts over the governance of the Eternal City.
1167 Battle of Monte Porzio Roman Pope Alexander III Christian of Buch Rainald of Dassel
1176day.year

Battle of Legnano: The Lombard League defeats Emperor Frederick I.

The Lombard League achieved a decisive triumph over Emperor Frederick I in the Battle of Legnano, marking a turning point in medieval Italian politics.
The Battle of Legnano was fought on May 29, 1176, between the forces of the Lombard League and Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. United Italian city states resisted imperial expansion by forming a coalition under the leadership of Milan. At Legnano, Milanese infantry and allied troops held firm against Frederick’s cavalry charges, forcing a retreat. This unexpected victory shattered the aura of invincibility around the emperor’s forces. The battle led to the Peace of Venice in 1177 and acknowledged the autonomy of the northern communes. It became a symbol of collective resistance and civic pride in medieval Italy.
1176 Battle of Legnano Lombard League Emperor Frederick I
1233day.year

Mongol–Jin war: The Mongols entered Kaifeng after a successful siege and began looting in the fallen capital of the Jin dynasty.

Mongol armies breached Kaifeng’s defenses after a relentless siege, capturing and looting the Jin dynasty’s capital.
During the Mongol–Jin war, Genghis Khan's successors besieged Kaifeng, the capital of the Jin dynasty, culminating on May 29, 1233. Mongol forces employed siege towers, tunnels, and relentless pressure to weaken the city's fortifications. After breaking through the walls, the Mongols entered the city and plundered its treasures. The fall of Kaifeng marked a decisive blow to the Jin dynasty's rule over northern China. This conquest facilitated further Mongol advances into the heart of the empire. The destruction of Kaifeng's infrastructure and administration paved the way for the rise of Mongol rule under the Yuan dynasty. The event exemplified the Mongols' military adaptability and the vulnerability of established cities.
1233 Mongol–Jin war Mongols Kaifeng successful siege Jin dynasty
1416day.year

Battle of Gallipoli: The Venetians under Pietro Loredan defeat a much larger Ottoman fleet off Gallipoli.

Venetian admiral Pietro Loredan led a smaller fleet to victory over the Ottomans at Gallipoli.
The Battle of Gallipoli on May 29, 1416, saw a Venetian fleet under Pietro Loredan clash with a larger Ottoman armada in the Dardanelles. Utilizing superior seamanship and innovative tactics, the Venetians outmaneuvered their opponents. The engagement inflicted heavy losses on the Ottoman fleet and bolstered Venice’s maritime dominance. This victory secured vital trade routes and demonstrated the republic’s naval prowess. The outcome delayed Ottoman naval expansion in the northeastern Mediterranean. It also cemented Pietro Loredan’s reputation as one of Venice’s greatest admirals. The battle became a celebrated episode in Venetian history.
1416 Battle of Gallipoli Venetians Pietro Loredan Ottoman Gallipoli
1453day.year

Fall of Constantinople: Ottoman armies under Sultan Mehmed II capture Constantinople after a 53-day siege, ending the Roman Empire after over 2,000 years.

Sultan Mehmed II’s forces captured Constantinople after 53 days, ending the Byzantine Empire and reshaping world history.
The Fall of Constantinople occurred on May 29, 1453, after a prolonged siege by Ottoman forces led by Sultan Mehmed II. The Ottomans employed massive cannons to breach the ancient Theodosian Walls, overwhelming the city's defenders. Despite desperate last stands by Byzantine soldiers and foreign volunteers, the ramparts fell and Ottoman troops poured in. The capture of the city marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, which had endured for over a millennium. Constantinople was renamed Istanbul and became the capital of the Ottoman Empire. This event shifted trade routes, spurred the Renaissance in Western Europe, and altered the balance of power between East and West. The fall symbolized both a military innovation in siege warfare and a cultural transformation of a storied metropolis.
1453 Fall of Constantinople Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II Constantinople siege Roman Empire
1658day.year

Battle of Samugarh: decisive battle in the struggle for the throne during the Mughal war of succession (1658–1659).

Aurangzeb defeated his brother Dara Shikoh’s forces at Samugarh, paving his path to the Mughal throne.
On May 29, 1658, the decisive Battle of Samugarh took place near Agra between the armies of Mughal princes Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh. Aurangzeb's generals executed a well planned cavalry charge that broke the lines of Dara Shikoh's troops. The resulting defeat forced Dara to flee and weakened his claim to the imperial succession. This victory allowed Aurangzeb to advance on Agra and consolidate his grip on the empire. The battle effectively decided the struggle for the Mughal throne following Shah Jahan's illness. Aurangzeb's triumph at Samugarh ushered in a long and austere reign that transformed the character of the Mughal state. The clash remains a landmark in the history of South Asia's greatest empire.
1658 Battle of Samugarh Mughal war of succession (1658–1659)
1780day.year

American Revolutionary War: At the Waxhaws Massacre, the British continue attacking after the Continentals lay down their arms, killing 113 and critically wounding all but 53 that remained.

During the Waxhaws Massacre, British forces continued their assault despite American troops’ surrender, resulting in over a hundred Continental soldiers killed or wounded.
On May 29, 1780, a controversy erupted at the Waxhaws when British troops under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton attacked surrendering Continental soldiers. The ruthless onslaught left 113 Americans dead and left just 53 unwounded survivors. Witnesses alleged that Tarleton’s men refused to accept the rebels’ white flag pleas, fueling American outrage. The incident inspired the rallying cry “Tarleton’s quarter,” symbolizing the brutality of Loyalist forces. The massacre became a powerful propaganda tool for the Patriot cause, strengthening colonial resolve.
1780 American Revolutionary War Waxhaws Massacre
1798day.year

United Irishmen Rebellion: Between 300 and 500 United Irishmen are executed as rebels by the British Army in County Kildare, Ireland.

After the failed United Irishmen Rebellion, British forces executed hundreds of suspected rebels in County Kildare, deepening resentment in Ireland.
Between May 29 and early June 1798, British troops summarily executed between 300 and 500 suspected members of the United Irishmen in County Kildare. The harsh reprisals followed a widespread uprising seeking Irish independence and parliamentary reform. Prisoners were marched to local barracks and shot without trial amid fears of renewed revolt. News of the mass executions spread rapidly, fueling anti-British sentiment across Ireland. The brutality underscored the rebellion’s tragic cost and deepened divisions that would influence Irish politics for decades.
1798 United Irishmen Rebellion United Irishmen are executed as rebels County Kildare
1918day.year

Armenia defeats the Ottoman Army in the Battle of Sardarabad.

Armenian forces halted the Ottoman advance at the Battle of Sardarabad, securing the survival of the newly independent republic in 1918.
On May 29, 1918, Armenian troops achieved a decisive victory against the Ottoman Army at the Battle of Sardarabad near the Aras River. Facing imminent occupation, Armenian commanders mobilized local volunteers and hastily organized regiments to defend their homeland. The victory prevented the Ottoman forces from invading Eastern Armenia and annihilating the local population. This triumph came one day after Armenia declared its independence, securing the survival of the nascent republic. The battle is celebrated as a symbol of national resilience and survival. Sardarabad remains a cornerstone of Armenian military history and identity.
1918 Armenia Ottoman Army Battle of Sardarabad
1945day.year

First combat mission of the Consolidated B-32 Dominator heavy bomber.

On May 29, 1945, the Consolidated B-32 Dominator launched its first combat mission over Japanese-held territory in World War II.
The B-32 Dominator was developed as a backup to the B-29 Superfortress, featuring similar advanced pressurized cabins and remote-controlled gun turrets. In late May 1945, two B-32s set out from airfields in Okinawa on a reconnaissance and bombing mission over northern Luzon. Although they faced fierce fighter opposition, the Dominators successfully completed their objectives with minimal losses. The mission demonstrated the aircraft's potential as a strategic bomber in the Pacific theater. However, production and deployment were limited by the B-29's dominance and waning war needs. The B-32 would ultimately carry out only a handful of combat sorties before Japan's surrender. Despite its brief service, it remains a testament to rapid wartime innovation.
1945 combat Consolidated B-32 Dominator heavy bomber