June 23

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1266day.year

War of Saint Sabas: In the Battle of Trapani, the Venetians defeat a larger Genoese fleet, capturing all its ships.

Venetian forces defeat and capture a larger Genoese fleet at the naval Battle of Trapani.
The Battle of Trapani was a key naval engagement in the War of Saint Sabas between Venice and Genoa. On June 23, 1266, the Venetian fleet, commanded by Admiral Jacopo Dondulo, intercepted a larger Genoese armada. Through superior tactics and seamanship, the Venetians captured all Genoese vessels. This victory dealt a heavy blow to Genoa's maritime strength in the Mediterranean. The outcome bolstered Venice's trade dominance and strategic position in the Crusader states. The battle is remembered as a testament to Venetian naval prowess and the intense rivalry between the Italian maritime republics.
1266 War of Saint Sabas Battle of Trapani Venetians Genoese
1280day.year

The Spanish Reconquista: In the Battle of Moclín the Emirate of Granada ambush a superior pursuing force, killing most of them in a military disaster for the Kingdom of Castile.

Emirate of Granada forces ambush and rout the Kingdom of Castile at the Battle of Moclín.
The Battle of Moclín was a dramatic encounter during the Spanish Reconquista. On June 23, 1280, forces of the Emirate of Granada ambushed a superior Castilian column in the rugged terrain near Moclín. The Granadan troops, well-versed in guerrilla tactics, annihilated most of the pursuing army. The defeat was a severe military disaster for the Kingdom of Castile and delayed further advances for years. The battle highlighted the resilience of the Emirate of Granada and the challenges faced by Christian kingdoms in the reconquest of Iberia. It remains one of the most catastrophic defeats in Castilian military history.
1280 Spanish Reconquista Battle of Moclín Emirate of Granada Kingdom of Castile
1314day.year

First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn (south of Stirling) begins.

The Battle of Bannockburn begins, leading to a landmark Scottish victory in their war of independence.
The Battle of Bannockburn was a defining moment in the First War of Scottish Independence. On June 23, 1314, King Robert the Bruce's forces engaged the army of Edward II of England south of Stirling. Utilizing terrain advantage and disciplined schiltron formations, the Scots repelled multiple English assaults. The battle spanned two days and culminated in a decisive Scottish victory. This triumph secured Scotland's de facto independence and elevated Robert the Bruce as a national hero. Bannockburn remains celebrated for its impact on medieval warfare and Scottish national identity.
1314 First War of Scottish Independence Battle of Bannockburn Stirling
1565day.year

Dragut, commander of the Ottoman navy, dies during the Great Siege of Malta.

Ottoman admiral Dragut is killed by artillery during the Great Siege of Malta.
Dragut, a famed corsair and admiral of the Ottoman navy, led operations during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. On June 23, he was struck and killed by artillery fire while directing attacks on Fort St. Elmo. Dragut's death deprived the Ottomans of one of their most experienced naval commanders. His loss adversely affected morale and coordination among the besieging forces. Despite extensive reinforcement efforts, the Ottoman siege ultimately failed to capture Malta. Dragut's reputation as a daring and skilled leader endures in naval history.
1565 Dragut Ottoman Great Siege of Malta
1594day.year

The Action of Faial, Azores. The Portuguese carrack Cinco Chagas, loaded with slaves and treasure, is attacked and sunk by English ships with only 13 survivors out of over 700 on board.

English privateers sink the Portuguese carrack Cinco Chagas near Faial, with heavy loss of life.
The Action of Faial was a devastating naval encounter off the Azores on June 23, 1594. English privateers intercepted the Portuguese carrack Cinco Chagas, laden with African slaves and New World treasure. In the ensuing boarding action, the ship was overwhelmed and sunk, leaving only thirteen survivors out of over seven hundred aboard. The massive loss of life and cargo underscored the brutality of privateering in the Age of Discovery. The incident strained relations between Portugal and England amid their broader imperial rivalries. Cinco Chagas remains one of the deadliest shipwrecks of the period.
1594 Action of Faial
1757day.year

Battle of Plassey: Three thousand British troops under Robert Clive defeat a 50,000-strong Indian army under Siraj ud-Daulah at Plassey.

Robert Clive's outnumbered British force wins a decisive victory at Plassey, laying the foundation for British rule in India.
In 1757, 3,000 British East India Company troops under Robert Clive faced a 50,000-strong army led by Siraj ud-Daulah at Plassey. Through a combination of superior tactics and secret alliances with disaffected Indian leaders, the British achieved a swift and unexpected victory. The battle lasted only a few hours but had profound consequences for the subcontinent. It marked the beginning of East India Company dominance in Bengal and paved the way for British colonial expansion in India. The outcome reshaped the political and economic balance of power in the region. The Battle of Plassey is often cited as a turning point in global imperial history.
1757 Battle of Plassey Robert Clive Siraj ud-Daulah Plassey
1758day.year

Seven Years' War: Battle of Krefeld: British, Hanoverian, and Prussian forces defeat French troops at Krefeld in Germany.

Allied forces of Britain, Hanover, and Prussia defeat French troops at Krefeld during the Seven Years' War.
On June 23, 1758, British, Hanoverian, and Prussian forces under Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick engaged the French army near Krefeld, Germany. Despite being slightly outnumbered, the Allies employed disciplined infantry formations and effective cavalry maneuvers. The French lines were broken, forcing a retreat across the Rhine. The victory bolstered the morale of the allied coalition and secured Hanover from further French incursions. It demonstrated the importance of coordination among allied forces. The Battle of Krefeld contributed to shifting momentum in the European theater of the Seven Years' War.
1758 Seven Years' War Battle of Krefeld Krefeld
1760day.year

Seven Years' War: Battle of Landeshut: Austria defeats Prussia.

Austria defeats Prussian forces at the Battle of Landeshut in the Seven Years' War, highlighting shifting alliances in 18th-century Europe.
On June 23, 1760, during the Seven Years' War, an Austrian army under Marshal von Daun confronted Prussian troops led by Prince Heinrich of Prussia at Landeshut. The Prussians were caught in a strong defensive position and suffered heavy casualties. After intense fighting, the Austrian forces secured a decisive victory. The triumph reinforced Austria's strategic position in Silesia and disrupted Frederick the Great's plans. It underscored the ebb and flow of military dominance between the great powers. The Battle of Landeshut remains a notable example of 18th-century warfare tactics and leadership.
1760 Battle of Landeshut Prussia
1780day.year

American Revolution: Battle of Springfield fought in and around Springfield, New Jersey (including Short Hills, formerly of Springfield, now of Millburn Township).

American Revolution forces clash at Springfield, New Jersey, in a struggle for strategic control of the region.
On June 23, 1780, British and American Continental troops engaged in and around Springfield, New Jersey, including the Short Hills area. The skirmish arose as British forces attempted to secure supply lines and weaken Patriot defenses. American troops, bolstered by local militia, mounted a staunch resistance that halted the British advance. Heavy fighting took place across farm fields and small hillocks. The battle ended inconclusively, but it demonstrated the resilience of American forces. It influenced future British strategies in the northern colonies and remains a significant, though often overlooked, engagement in the Revolutionary War.
1780 American Revolution Battle of Springfield Springfield, New Jersey Short Hills Millburn
1812day.year

War of 1812: Great Britain revokes the restrictions on American commerce, thus eliminating one of the chief reasons for going to war.

British revocation of trade restrictions removes a key cause of the War of 1812, altering diplomatic tensions between Britain and America.
On June 23, 1812, in response to ongoing conflict, the British government lifted restrictions on American maritime commerce that had fueled resentment in the United States. The Orders in Council, which regulated neutral shipping during the Napoleonic Wars, were revoked. However, news of the change reached American authorities too late to prevent the declaration of war. The reversal underscored the slow pace of transatlantic communication and the perils of delayed diplomacy. Despite the revocation, hostilities continued as both nations pursued strategic objectives. This episode highlights how policy shifts can both ignite and conclude international conflicts.
1812 War of 1812
1865day.year

American Civil War: At Fort Towson in the Oklahoma Territory, Confederate Brigadier General Stand Watie surrenders the last significant Confederate army.

Confederate General Stand Watie surrenders the last organized Confederate force, effectively ending Western resistance in the Civil War.
At Fort Towson in the Oklahoma Territory on June 23, 1865, Brigadier General Stand Watie surrendered his command to Union forces, marking the final significant Confederate military capitulation. Watie, leader of an Indian cavalry brigade, was the only Native American to attain general officer rank in the Confederacy. His surrender followed the broader collapse of Confederate armies across the South. This event effectively ended organized resistance in the Western theater of the war. News of the surrender reached President Andrew Johnson shortly thereafter. Stand Watie's capitulation is recognized as the closing chapter of Confederate military action in the Civil War.
1865 American Civil War Fort Towson Oklahoma Territory Confederate Brigadier General Stand Watie
1913day.year

Second Balkan War: The Greeks defeat the Bulgarians in the Battle of Doiran.

During the Second Balkan War, Greek forces achieved a key victory over the Bulgarians at Doiran.
On June 23, 1913, in one of the decisive clashes of the Second Balkan War, Greek troops defeated Bulgarian forces at the Battle of Doiran. The engagement occurred near Lake Doiran (present-day North Macedonia), where rugged terrain challenged both armies. Greek artillery and infantry maneuvers successfully outflanked the Bulgarian defensive positions. This victory helped secure Greece’s territorial gains in Macedonia and hastened the end of the conflict. The battle reflected the shifting alliances and nationalist ambitions that reshaped Southeast Europe. Its outcome influenced the border adjustments in the subsequent Treaty of Bucharest. The Battle of Doiran remains a notable episode in Balkan military history.
1913 Second Balkan War Battle of Doiran