June 13

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1381day.year

In England, the Peasants' Revolt, led by Wat Tyler, comes to a head, as rebels set fire to the Savoy Palace.

Peasants' Revolt peaks as rebels led by Wat Tyler burn the Savoy Palace.
On June 13, 1381, English peasants frustrated by heavy taxation and serfdom converged on London, led by Wat Tyler. The movement culminated in the burning of the Savoy Palace, a symbol of aristocratic power. The rebels presented their demands directly to King Richard II, challenging the feudal order. Although the uprising was ultimately suppressed, it forced concessions and sparked debates on social justice. The revolt remains a landmark event in medieval English history, illustrating the tensions between the ruling classes and the peasantry.
1381 Peasants' Revolt Wat Tyler Savoy Palace
1740day.year

Georgia provincial governor James Oglethorpe begins an unsuccessful attempt to take Spanish Florida during the Siege of St. Augustine.

James Oglethorpe launched an unsuccessful siege of St. Augustine in Spanish Florida in 1740.
On June 13, 1740, Georgian governor James Oglethorpe led colonial troops in an attempt to capture St. Augustine, the strategic Spanish stronghold in East Florida. The Siege of St. Augustine tested British colonial ambitions in North America. Despite assembling militia and Native American allies, Oglethorpe’s forces were repelled by well-fortified Spanish defenses. The failed siege underscored the challenges of military expeditions in unfamiliar terrain and climate. It also entrenched the Anglo-Spanish rivalry that shaped colonial geopolitics in the southeastern United States.
1740 Georgia James Oglethorpe Spanish Florida Siege of St. Augustine
1777day.year

American Revolutionary War: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette lands near Charleston, South Carolina, in order to help the Continental Congress to train its army.

Marquis de Lafayette landed near Charleston in 1777 to support the Continental Congress.
On June 13, 1777, a young Marquis de Lafayette arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, offering his services to the Continental Army. Inspired by the American cause, he volunteered his wealth and military expertise. Lafayette quickly earned the trust of General George Washington and demonstrated leadership in key engagements. His involvement boosted French-American cooperation and morale. Lafayette’s arrival signaled the beginning of a lifelong commitment to American independence and transatlantic alliance.
1777 American Revolutionary War Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette Charleston, South Carolina Continental Congress
1917day.year

World War I: The deadliest German air raid on London of the war is carried out by Gotha G.IV bombers and results in 162 deaths, including 46 children, and 432 injuries.

German Gotha bombers execute the deadliest air raid of World War I on London, inflicting heavy civilian casualties and widespread fear.
In the early hours of June 13, 1917, a formation of Gotha G.IV heavy bombers penetrated London’s defenses and dropped high-explosive bombs across the city. The raid claimed 162 lives, nearly one-third of whom were children, and injured over 400 civilians. The attack exposed vulnerabilities in Britain’s air defense, prompting the rapid deployment of anti-aircraft guns, searchlights, and air-raid warning systems. Public morale suffered as Londoners endured the growing threat of aerial bombardment. Contemporary newspapers recounted harrowing tales of families trapped beneath rubble and volunteer rescue efforts. The raid’s impact influenced both military strategy and civilian preparedness for future air warfare.
1917 World War I German air raid on London Gotha G.IV
1944day.year

World War II: The Battle of Villers-Bocage: German tank ace Michael Wittmann ambushes elements of the British 7th Armoured Division, destroying up to fourteen tanks, fifteen personnel carriers and two anti-tank guns in a Tiger I tank.

German tank ace Michael Wittmann ambushes British armored units at Villers-Bocage during World War II, destroying numerous Allied vehicles in a single engagement.
On June 13, 1944, shortly after the Normandy landings, Michael Wittmann led a small detachment of Tiger I tanks into the town of Villers-Bocage. Exploiting narrow streets and intelligence on British positions, Wittmann launched a devastating assault on elements of the 7th Armoured Division. In under 15 minutes, he destroyed up to fourteen British tanks, fifteen personnel carriers, and two anti-tank guns. The ambush halted the British advance and disrupted plans to encircle Caen. Wittmann’s actions were celebrated in German propaganda and boosted morale among Axis forces. The battle underscored both the power of individual armored prowess and the challenges of Allied tactics in the bocage terrain.
1944 World War II Battle of Villers-Bocage Michael Wittmann British 7th Armoured Division Tiger I
1944day.year

World War II: German combat elements, reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, launch a counterattack on American forces near Carentan.

On June 13, 1944, German forces reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division mounted a powerful counterattack against American troops near Carentan.
On June 13, 1944, in the midst of the Normandy Campaign, German combat units, bolstered by the newly arrived 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, launched a counteroffensive against American forces defending Carentan. This assault aimed to relieve pressure on German defenses following the D-Day landings and prevent Allied consolidation of the Cotentin Peninsula. American troops, part of the U.S. 101st Airborne and 4th Infantry Divisions, had captured Carentan days earlier to link the Utah and Omaha beachheads. The German attack featured armored vehicles, infantry assaults, and intense close-quarters fighting in hedgerow-dominated terrain. Despite initial gains, the German forces were ultimately repelled by coordinated American artillery, armor, and infantry fire. The fierce encounter demonstrated the strategic importance of Carentan and highlighted the resolve of Allied forces in securing the Normandy foothold.
17th SS Panzergrenadier Division launch a counterattack Carentan
1944day.year

World War II: Germany launches the first V1 Flying Bomb attack on England. Only four of the eleven bombs strike their targets.

On June 13, 1944, Germany initiated the first V-1 flying bomb attack on England, marking a new phase in aerial warfare.
On June 13, 1944, Nazi Germany deployed the V-1 flying bomb, also known as the "buzz bomb," in its first operational assault on England. Eleven V-1s were launched from sites in northern France targeting London and surrounding areas. Only four of the bombs reached their intended targets, causing limited damage but signaling the onset of Germany's "Vergeltungswaffen" vengeance weapons program. The V-1, powered by a pulse jet engine, flew at low altitude and high speed, producing its distinctive buzzing sound. While relatively inaccurate, the V-1 raids inflicted civilian casualties and spread fear across southeast England. British defenses rapidly adapted with anti-aircraft guns and fighter patrols to intercept incoming bombs. The V-1 campaign continued until October 1944, prompting developments in air defense tactics and technology.
V1 Flying Bomb
1952day.year

Catalina affair: A Swedish Douglas DC-3 is shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 fighter.

On June 13, 1952, a Swedish Douglas DC-3 was shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 over the Baltic Sea, escalating Cold War tensions.
On June 13, 1952, a Swedish Douglas DC-3, conducting a liaison and signals intelligence mission, disappeared over international waters in the Baltic Sea. The aircraft was intercepted and shot down by a Soviet MiG-15 fighter, killing all eight crew members aboard. Stockholm claimed the flight was unarmed and on a humanitarian mission, while the USSR accused it of espionage. The incident, known as the Catalina affair, heightened Cold War anxieties and strained Swedish-Soviet relations. Sweden lodged formal protests and demanded an explanation from Moscow, which never fully acknowledged responsibility. Decades later, declassified documents confirmed the DC-3's intelligence-gathering role, shedding new light on the covert aspects of the crisis. The affair underscored the risks faced by neutral states operating near superpower borders during the early Cold War era.
1952 Catalina affair Douglas DC-3 MiG-15
1982day.year

Battles of Tumbledown and Wireless Ridge, during the Falklands War.

In June 1982, British forces clashed with Argentine troops at Tumbledown and Wireless Ridge during the Falklands War.
In the final stages of the Falklands War, British forces launched a coordinated assault on Argentine-held Tumbledown Hill and Wireless Ridge near Stanley.\nThe objectives were to break enemy defenses for a push into the capital.\nSoldiers faced fierce resistance amidst rugged terrain and harsh weather.\nAfter hours of intense close-quarter combat, British units secured both positions.\nThese victories were pivotal in forcing Argentina's surrender and ending the conflict.\nCasualties were heavy on both sides, highlighting the battles' ferocity and strategic importance.
Tumbledown Wireless Ridge Falklands War
2007day.year

The Al Askari Mosque is bombed for a second time.

The Al Askari Mosque in Samarra, one of the holiest Shiite shrines, is bombed again in 2007.
On June 13, 2007, the Al Askari Mosque in Samarra, Iraq, suffered a devastating second bombing. The shrine, revered by Shiite Muslims, had been attacked previously in 2006. The blast destroyed the golden dome and escalated sectarian tensions across the country. Militant groups were suspected of orchestrating the assault to inflame violence. The incident deepened divisions and fueled further conflict during the Iraq War.
2007 Al Askari Mosque bombed for a second time
2012day.year

A series of bombings across Iraq, including Baghdad, Hillah and Kirkuk, kills at least 93 people and wounds over 300 others.

Coordinated bombings across multiple Iraqi cities kill at least 93 and injure over 300 in 2012.
A wave of synchronized bombings struck Iraq on June 13, 2012, targeting crowded public areas. Explosions in Baghdad, Hillah, Kirkuk, and other cities claimed at least 93 lives. Over 300 people were wounded in attacks that spread panic nationwide. Insurgent groups were suspected of orchestrating the bombings to destabilize the government. The violence highlighted ongoing sectarian strife amid post-war recovery efforts.
2012 series of bombings Iraq Baghdad Hillah Kirkuk
2025day.year

Israeli strikes on Iran: Israel initiates air strikes against Iran.

Israel launches air strikes against Iran, marking a sharp escalation of regional tensions.
On June 13, 2025, the Israeli Air Force conducted a series of strikes against targets inside Iran. It marked a rare overt military operation by Israel on Iranian territory, departing from previous covert engagements. The specific locations of the strikes were not officially disclosed, though analysts speculated they targeted strategic military facilities. Iranian authorities condemned the assault but provided limited details on casualties or structural damage. The operation significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East, drawing international concern. Global leaders called for de-escalation to prevent a broader conflict. Observers warned that any retaliatory action could destabilize the region and impact global energy markets.
2025 Israeli strikes on Iran