1462day.year
Vlad the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II (The Night Attack at Târgovişte), forcing him to retreat from Wallachia.
In 1462, Vlad the Impaler led a daring night raid at Târgovişte in an attempt to assassinate Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II.
Facing an imposing Ottoman invasion, Vlad the Impaler assembled a small force and launched a surprise attack on Sultan Mehmed II’s camp near Târgovişte. Under cover of darkness, Vlad’s men crept into the Ottoman encampment, causing chaos by killing soldiers and setting fires. Though they failed to find Mehmed himself, the assault inflicted heavy casualties and psychological shock. The unexpected resistance forced the Ottoman army to pause and eventually withdraw from Wallachian territory. This night attack became legendary for its boldness and brutality, enhancing Vlad’s fearsome reputation. It underscored the fierce defense of Wallachian independence against Ottoman expansion.
1462
Vlad the Impaler
assassinate
Mehmed II
The Night Attack at Târgovişte
Wallachia
1497day.year
Battle of Deptford Bridge: Forces under King Henry VII defeat troops led by Michael An Gof.
At the Battle of Deptford Bridge in 1497, King Henry VII’s forces defeated the Cornish rebels led by Michael An Gof near London.
The Cornish Rebellion of 1497 arose from heavy taxation imposed by Henry VII to fund a campaign against Scotland. Led by blacksmith Michael An Gof and lawyer Thomas Flamank, rebels marched from Cornwall to London to protest the tax. The king’s army intercepted them at Deptford Bridge, where superior numbers and artillery decimated the insurgents. The engagement lasted only a few hours but resulted in a decisive royal victory. Captured leaders, including An Gof, were executed for treason to deter future uprisings. The battle reinforced Tudor control and demonstrated the perils of challenging the new dynasty’s authority.
1497
Battle of Deptford Bridge
Henry VII
Michael An Gof
1665day.year
Battle of Montes Claros: Portugal definitively secured independence from Spain in the last battle of the Portuguese Restoration War.
At the Battle of Montes Claros in 1665, Portuguese forces achieved a decisive victory over Spain, solidifying Portugal’s restored sovereignty.
The Battle of Montes Claros was the final major engagement of the Portuguese Restoration War, which began in 1640 with Portugal’s rebellion against Spanish rule. Commanded by Dom António Luís de Meneses, the Portuguese army leveraged disciplined infantry and artillery to overcome a larger Spanish force. The engagement near Montes Claros resulted in heavy Spanish casualties and a retreat that effectively ended Spanish attempts to reconquer Portugal. This victory paved the way for the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, which formally recognized Portuguese independence. The battle became a symbol of national pride and the resilience of the Portuguese people. It also strengthened Portugal’s position in European diplomacy and colonial affairs.
1665
Battle of Montes Claros
Portuguese Restoration War
1775day.year
American Revolutionary War: Colonists inflict heavy casualties on British forces while losing the Battle of Bunker Hill.
During the Battle of Bunker Hill, American colonists inflicted heavy casualties on British troops despite ultimately losing the engagement.
On June 17, 1775, colonial militia fortified Breed’s Hill overlooking Boston Harbor to challenge British control. British regulars launched two costly frontal assaults and suffered severe losses from disciplined colonial rifle fire. Although British forces eventually captured the position, they paid dearly with over a thousand killed or wounded. The fierce stand demonstrated colonial resolve and the effectiveness of local militia tactics. Despite the loss, the battle galvanized American morale and underscored the determination for independence. Commanders on both sides learned the value of fortifications and marksmanship. The Battle of Bunker Hill set the tone for the brutal struggle ahead and became an enduring symbol of American bravery.
1775
American Revolutionary War
Battle of Bunker Hill
1843day.year
The Wairau Affray, the first serious clash of arms between Māori and British settlers in the New Zealand Wars, takes place.
The Wairau Affray marked the first major armed conflict between Māori and British settlers in the New Zealand Wars.
On June 17, 1843, tensions over disputed land in the Marlborough region of New Zealand erupted into violence at the Wairau Plains. A contingent of British settlers, backed by colonial officials, clashed with Ngāti Toa Māori while attempting to arrest chiefs accused of obstructing surveyors. The confrontation left several men dead on both sides before cooler heads prevailed. As the first significant battle of the New Zealand Wars, the Wairau Affray shattered hopes of peaceful settlement and escalated hostilities. The New Zealand Company’s controversial land claims were widely condemned, leading to government investigations. The skirmish underscored deep misunderstandings over land ownership and sovereignty. The Wairau Affray galvanized Māori resistance and shaped the course of subsequent negotiations and conflicts.
1843
Wairau Affray
Māori
New Zealand Wars
1861day.year
American Civil War: Battle of Vienna, Virginia.
In the Battle of Vienna, Virginia, Union and Confederate forces clashed in one of the early engagements of the American Civil War.
On June 17, 1861, cavalry units from the Union’s 1st Ohio Cavalry and the Confederacy’s 8th Virginia Cavalry engaged near Vienna, Virginia. Although a minor skirmish, the encounter tested emerging cavalry tactics, reconnaissance methods, and small-unit maneuvers. Both sides suffered light casualties before withdrawing to regroup, offering valuable lessons in mobility and communication. The battle demonstrated the strategic importance of cavalry for intelligence gathering and screening larger forces. It also highlighted the need for coordinated command and more effective weaponry. Despite its scale, the engagement influenced cavalry doctrine as the war progressed. This early clash foreshadowed the prolonged and brutal conflict that would engulf the nation over the next four years.
1861
American Civil War
Battle of Vienna, Virginia
1863day.year
American Civil War: Battle of Aldie in the Gettysburg Campaign.
In 1863, Union and Confederate cavalry clashed at the Battle of Aldie during the Gettysburg Campaign, testing reconnaissance and scouting tactics.
In June 1863, the Battle of Aldie marked one of the opening skirmishes in the Gettysburg Campaign. Union cavalry under Brigadier General Alfred Pleasanton met Confederate forces led by Captain Thomas Rosser near Aldie, Virginia. The engagement centered on control of key road junctions vital for movement toward Gettysburg. Both sides probed enemy strength and tested new reconnaissance methods. Though relatively small in scale, the clash produced significant casualties and highlighted cavalry mobility tactics. Confederate forces managed to delay the Union advance but suffered losses in the process. This encounter foreshadowed the larger battles that would soon unfold at Gettysburg. Historians view Aldie as an early indicator of the strategic importance of cavalry operations in the Civil War.
1863
Battle of Aldie
Gettysburg Campaign
1876day.year
American Indian Wars: Battle of the Rosebud: One thousand five hundred Sioux and Cheyenne led by Crazy Horse beat back General George Crook's forces at Rosebud Creek in Montana Territory.
In 1876, Sioux and Cheyenne warriors led by Crazy Horse repelled U.S. Army forces under General Crook at the Battle of the Rosebud in Montana Territory.
On June 17, 1876, near Rosebud Creek in the Montana Territory, roughly 1,500 Sioux and Cheyenne warriors commanded by Crazy Horse confronted Brigadier General George Crook’s expedition. The indigenous forces executed well-coordinated tactics, surprising the U.S. troops with their ferocity and knowledge of the terrain. The battle raged for hours amid rocky ridges and wooded valleys. Crook’s men were forced to retreat in disarray, marking a rare setback for the U.S. Army during the Great Sioux War. The engagement temporarily halted Crook’s planned junction with other column forces. For Crazy Horse, the victory at Rosebud became a symbol of resistance and tactical brilliance. Despite the Indigenous forces eventually facing overwhelming numbers later, this battle showcased their resolve and skill. Historians often cite Rosebud as a pivotal moment that set the stage for the subsequent Battle of the Little Bighorn.
1876
American Indian Wars
Battle of the Rosebud
Sioux
Cheyenne
Crazy Horse
General
George Crook
Montana Territory
1877day.year
American Indian Wars: Battle of White Bird Canyon: The Nez Perce defeat the U.S. Cavalry at White Bird Canyon in the Idaho Territory.
In 1877, the Nez Perce achieved a significant victory over the U.S. Cavalry at the Battle of White Bird Canyon in Idaho Territory.
On June 17, 1877, a band of Nez Perce warriors ambushed and decisively defeated a detachment of the U.S. Cavalry at White Bird Canyon in the Idaho Territory. Led by Chief Joseph and other tribal leaders, the Nez Perce used the rugged canyon terrain to their advantage. The U.S. forces, caught in a narrow pass, suffered heavy casualties before being forced to retreat. The battle became the first major engagement of the Nez Perce War and boosted morale among the tribe. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned overall, the Nez Perce demonstrated remarkable tactical skill and cohesion. The clash at White Bird Canyon delayed the U.S. Army’s advance and allowed the Nez Perce to begin their famed retreat toward Canada. Today, the battle is remembered as a testament to Nez Perce courage and leadership under duress.
1877
Battle of White Bird Canyon
Nez Perce
U.S. Cavalry
Idaho Territory
1900day.year
Boxer Rebellion: Western Allied and Japanese forces capture the Taku Forts in Tianjin, China.
During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, Western Allied and Japanese forces stormed and captured the Taku Forts near Tianjin, China.
On June 17, 1900, an international relief force comprising British, German, French, Russian, American, and Japanese troops launched an assault on the Taku Forts guarding the mouth of the Hai River near Tianjin. The forts were heavily fortified with coastal artillery and had repelled earlier attempts to breach them. Coordinated naval bombardment and infantry attacks finally overwhelmed the defenders, securing a crucial route for allied reinforcements. Capturing the Taku Forts allowed foreign forces to advance toward Beijing to relieve besieged legations. The operation demonstrated the challenges of multinational military cooperation under fire. Casualties were significant on both sides, but the success marked a turning point in the Boxer Rebellion. Historians note the action as an example of early 20th-century joint expeditionary warfare.
1900
Boxer Rebellion
Western Allied and Japanese
capture
Taku Forts
Tianjin
1940day.year
World War II: RMS Lancastria is attacked and sunk by the Luftwaffe near Saint-Nazaire, France. At least 3,000 are killed in Britain's worst maritime disaster.
RMS Lancastria is bombed by the Luftwaffe off Saint-Nazaire, resulting in Britain's deadliest maritime disaster with over 3,000 casualties.
On June 17, 1940, the troopship RMS Lancastria, overloaded with soldiers and civilians fleeing German-occupied France, was attacked by Luftwaffe bombers near Saint-Nazaire. The vessel sank in minutes, claiming the lives of more than 3,000 people and surpassing the Titanic's death toll. To maintain public morale during World War II, the British government imposed a news blackout, delaying awareness of the tragedy for months. Many victims were never recovered, and the wreck site later became a protected war grave. The Lancastria disaster stands as a poignant reminder of the civilian cost of war and evacuation efforts during the conflict.
1940
World War II
RMS Lancastria
Luftwaffe
Saint-Nazaire
1940day.year
World War II: The British Army's 11th Hussars assault and take Fort Capuzzo in Libya from Italian forces.
British 11th Hussars execute a surprise assault to capture Fort Capuzzo from Italian forces in Libya.
On June 17, 1940, as Italy entered World War II, the British Army's 11th Hussars launched a daring raid on Fort Capuzzo, located near the Libyan border. Utilizing mobility and surprise, the mechanized cavalry swiftly overwhelmed the Italian defenders. Securing the fort provided the Allies with a strategic position for subsequent operations in North Africa. This action highlighted the effectiveness of combined arms tactics and mobile warfare in desert conditions. Fort Capuzzo would remain a contested objective throughout the Western Desert Campaign, underscoring its importance in the wider conflict.
11th Hussars
Fort Capuzzo
Libya
Italian