June 28

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1098day.year

Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul at the battle of Antioch.

Crusader forces defeat Kerbogha of Mosul at Antioch, securing a pivotal victory in the First Crusade.
In the spring of 1098, the Crusader army endured a month-long siege at Antioch. On June 28, they confronted Kerbogha’s relieving forces in a decisive engagement. Led by Bohemond of Taranto, the Crusaders executed a daring sortie that shattered the Muslim army’s ranks. Kerbogha’s troops were thrown into disarray, securing a crucial victory for the Crusaders. This success opened the road to Jerusalem and bolstered Crusader morale. Historians mark the Battle of Antioch as a turning point in the First Crusade.
1098 First Crusade Kerbogha of Mosul battle of Antioch
1495day.year

A French force heavily defeats a much larger Neapolitan and Spanish army at the battle of Seminara, leading to the creation of the Tercios by Gonzalo de Córdoba.

A smaller French force routs Neapolitan and Spanish troops at the Battle of Seminara, inspiring the creation of the Tercios.
In 1495, during the Italian Wars, Gonzalo de Córdoba led a French force against a larger Neapolitan-Spanish army at Seminara. Despite being outnumbered, the French employed aggressive cavalry charges and tight formations. The rout of enemy forces prompted a reevaluation of infantry tactics in Europe. Inspired by this engagement, Córdoba developed the celebrated Tercios infantry units. These disciplined formations would dominate European battlefields for the next century. Gonzalo de Córdoba earned renown as 'El Gran Capitán' for his military innovations.
1495 battle of Seminara Tercios Gonzalo de Córdoba
1575day.year

Sengoku period of Japan: The combined forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu are victorious in the Battle of Nagashino.

Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu achieve a landmark victory at Nagashino, showcasing gunpowder warfare.
On June 28, 1575, the armies of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu met Takeda Katsuyori’s forces at Nagashino. They pioneered rotating volleys of arquebusiers behind wooden palisades to counter cavalry charges. This tactic decimated the famed Takeda cavalry and showcased the effectiveness of firearms. The victory solidified Oda and Tokugawa’s dominance during the Sengoku period. Nagashino marked a turning point in Japan’s military evolution toward gunpowder warfare. It paved the way for the eventual unification of Japan.
1575 Sengoku period Oda Nobunaga Tokugawa Ieyasu Battle of Nagashino
1651day.year

The Battle of Berestechko between Poland and Ukraine starts.

The Battle of Berestechko begins, one of the largest 17th-century clashes between Poland and Cossack forces.
On June 28, 1651, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Cossack-Tatar forces clashed at Berestechko. Part of the larger Khmelnytsky Uprising, it involved tens of thousands of troops on both sides. Initial Cossack resistance held firm, but coordinated Polish cavalry charges turned the tide. The battle ranks among the largest engagements of 17th-century Europe. Its outcome influenced subsequent treaties and the region’s balance of power. Berestechko exemplifies the political and religious upheavals in Eastern Europe.
1651 Battle of Berestechko Poland Ukraine
1745day.year

A New England colonial army captures the French fortifications at Louisbourg (New Style).

New England forces capture the French fortress at Louisbourg, striking a blow against French power in North America.
In June 1745, during King George’s War, New England colonial forces laid siege to the fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island. Led by William Pepperrell and supported by the Royal Navy, they endured a harsh 47-day siege. The French garrison surrendered, handing control of a key Atlantic stronghold to the colonists. This victory boosted colonial morale and highlighted colonial military capabilities. Although returned to France by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, its capture influenced later conflicts. The siege of Louisbourg remains a celebrated achievement in early American history.
1745 New England Louisbourg New Style
1776day.year

American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Sullivan's Island ends with the American victory, leading to the commemoration of Carolina Day.

American forces repel a British naval assault at Sullivan’s Island, securing a crucial Revolutionary War victory.
On June 28, 1776, American defenders under Colonel William Moultrie repelled a British naval assault at Sullivan’s Island. They fortified a palmetto-log fort, later named Fort Moultrie, which absorbed British cannon fire. The British fleet’s guns failed to breach the soft walls, forcing a retreat. This victory thwarted British plans to capture Charleston and bolstered Patriot morale. June 28 is still celebrated as Carolina Day in South Carolina. The Battle of Sullivan’s Island marked a significant early triumph in the American Revolutionary War.
1776 American Revolutionary War Battle of Sullivan's Island Carolina Day
1776day.year

American Revolutionary War: Thomas Hickey, Continental Army private and bodyguard to General George Washington, is hanged for mutiny and sedition.

On June 28, 1776, Private Thomas Hickey - George Washington's bodyguard in the Continental Army - was hanged for mutiny and sedition.
Thomas Hickey was a Continental Army private assigned to protect General George Washington during the early days of the American Revolutionary War. Accused of conspiring to undermine military authority and plotting against Washington, he was arrested and subjected to a military trial. The charges of mutiny and sedition led to his conviction, making him one of the first soldiers executed by the Continental Army. His hanging served as a stern warning against insubordination amid the fragile revolutionary forces. The incident underscored the challenges of maintaining discipline within the new army and set a precedent for military justice during the war.
Thomas Hickey Continental Army George Washington mutiny sedition
1778day.year

American Revolutionary War: The American Continentals engage the British in the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse resulting in standstill and British withdrawal under cover of darkness.

The Battle of Monmouth Courthouse on June 28, 1778, ended in a tactical stalemate but forced the British to withdraw under cover of darkness.
Fought amid extreme heat and dusty conditions, the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse saw American Continental forces clashing with British troops in New Jersey. Under the command of General George Washington, the Americans demonstrated improved discipline following training at Valley Forge. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, neither army secured a decisive victory. As evening fell, the British retreated toward New York under cover of night, allowing the Americans to claim strategic success. The engagement marked one of the largest battles of the Revolutionary War and highlighted the growing effectiveness of the Continental Army.
1778 American Continentals Battle of Monmouth Courthouse
1797day.year

French troops disembark in Corfu, beginning the French rule in the Ionian Islands.

French forces landed on Corfu on June 28, 1797, inaugurating the island’s period under French administration in the Ionian Islands.
In the aftermath of the Treaty of Campo Formio, which ceded the Venetian territories to France, French troops landed on the island of Corfu in the Ionian archipelago. The occupation marked the start of a decade-long French administration, bringing revolutionary reforms to the region. Under French rule, local governance structures were reorganized, and the Napoleonic code was introduced. The new regime also impacted trade and cultural life on the islands. Yet, the occupation faced opposition from local nobles and foreign powers. This period laid the groundwork for subsequent shifts in control among the French, Russians, and British in the Ionian Islands.
1797 Corfu French rule in the Ionian Islands
1807day.year

Second British invasion of the Río de la Plata; John Whitelocke lands at Ensenada on an attempt to recapture Buenos Aires and is defeated by the locals.

British General John Whitelocke’s attempt to seize Buenos Aires ended in defeat by local forces after a landing at Ensenada on June 28, 1807.
As part of the second British invasion of the Río de la Plata, Major-General John Whitelocke led an expedition to recapture Buenos Aires from Spanish colonial rule. On June 28, British troops landed at Ensenada, aiming to advance inland and secure the city. However, fierce resistance from Argentine militia and civilian volunteers halted their progress. Disorganized assaults and strong local opposition inflicted heavy casualties on the British. Facing mounting losses and logistical challenges, Whitelocke ultimately ordered a retreat, marking a significant colonial victory for the Spanish and creole defenders. The failed campaign tarnished British military prestige and emboldened local independence movements in South America.
1807 British invasion of the Río de la Plata John Whitelocke Ensenada Buenos Aires
1865day.year

The Army of the Potomac is disbanded.

After four years of service, the Union’s Army of the Potomac was officially disbanded on June 28, 1865.
Following the surrender of Confederate forces and the end of major Civil War campaigns, the Army of the Potomac was formally dissolved. Established in 1861, it had been the primary Union force in the Eastern Theater. Under commanders like George B. McClellan and Ulysses S. Grant, it achieved key victories at Antietam, Gettysburg, and the Appomattox Campaign. The disbandment marked the transition from wartime to peacetime, as soldiers returned home or were reassigned. Ceremonial reviews and the distribution of final pay and equipment concluded the process. Its legacy influenced post-war military organization and commemorations of the Civil War.
1865 Army of the Potomac
1914day.year

Causes of World War I: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie are assassinated in Sarajevo, beginning the July Crisis and providing the casus belli of World War I.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie are assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, igniting the July Crisis and World War I.
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie visited Sarajevo under tight security. Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist, shot them at point-blank range during their motorcade. Their deaths triggered the July Crisis as Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia. A web of alliances activated, leading the major powers into a full-scale war within weeks. The assassination remains one of history’s most consequential acts, reshaping the 20th-century world order.
1914 Causes of World War I Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria Sophie assassinated July Crisis casus belli World War I