July 10

Events - Wars & Conflicts

1460day.year

Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, defeats the king's Lancastrian forces and takes King Henry VI prisoner in the Battle of Northampton.

Warwick’s Yorkist army triumphs at Northampton, capturing King Henry VI in 1460.
On July 10, 1460, during the Wars of the Roses, Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, led Yorkist forces to a decisive victory at the Battle of Northampton. His army routed King Henry VI’s Lancastrian troops and seized the king himself, dramatically shifting the war’s balance. The battle showcased Warwick’s tactical skill and the Yorkists’ growing momentum. Following the capture, the victorious nobles pressed their advantage in Parliament, rejecting Henry’s authority. This victory paved the way for Edward IV’s eventual accession to the throne. The capture of the king also deepened the conflict’s political stakes, compelling shifting alliances among England’s elite. The battle remains a pivotal moment in England’s dynastic struggles.
1460 Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick Lancastrian King Henry VI Battle of Northampton
1512day.year

The Spanish conquest of Iberian Navarre commences with the capture of Goizueta.

Spanish forces seize Goizueta in 1512, inaugurating the conquest of Iberian Navarre.
On July 10, 1512, Spanish troops loyal to Ferdinand II launched their campaign against the Kingdom of Navarre by capturing the strategic fortress of Goizueta. This assault marked the opening move in the annexation of Iberian Navarre into the emerging Spanish state. The swift fall of Goizueta demonstrated Castilian military prowess and foreshadowed further incursions across the Pyrenees. Navarrese defenses struggled to repel the invasion, leading to political turmoil within the kingdom. Over the next year, Spain consolidated its hold, culminating in Navarre’s formal incorporation in 1515. The conquest altered the balance of power on the peninsula and helped solidify Spain’s unification. Its legacy persists in Navarre’s distinct regional identity within modern Spain.
1512 Spanish conquest of Iberian Navarre Goizueta
1519day.year

Zhu Chenhao declares the Ming dynasty's Zhengde Emperor a usurper, beginning the Prince of Ning rebellion, and leads his army north in an attempt to capture Nanjing.

Prince of Ning, Zhu Chenhao, rebels against the Ming dynasty and advances on Nanjing in 1519.
In 1519, Zhu Chenhao, the Prince of Ning, launched a rebellion against the Ming dynasty by accusing Emperor Zhengde of illegitimate rule. He mustered his forces in eastern Jiangsu and embarked on a march toward the southern capital, Nanjing. The uprising caught the imperial court by surprise, threatening the dynasty’s stability. Loyalist generals and eunuch commanders eventually quelled the revolt after several skirmishes. The rebellion’s suppression reinforced central authority and diminished princely autonomy. Zhu Chenhao was captured and executed, demonstrating the court’s resolve against insurrection. The Prince of Ning rebellion highlighted ongoing tensions between imperial princes and the throne during the Zhengde era.
1519 Zhu Chenhao Ming dynasty Zhengde Emperor Prince of Ning rebellion Nanjing
1584day.year

William I of Orange is assassinated in his home in Delft, Holland, by Balthasar Gérard.

William the Silent, leader of the Dutch revolt, is assassinated in Delft.
On July 10, 1584, William I of Orange, instrumental in the Dutch struggle for independence, was fatally shot in Delft by Balthasar Gérard. Known as William the Silent, he had united various provinces against Spanish rule through diplomacy and military leadership. The assassination was the result of a Spanish-backed conspiracy aiming to quell the rebellion. William was reportedly holding private prayers when the gunman struck. His death sent shockwaves through the nascent Dutch Republic and inspired continued resistance. William's leadership had laid the foundations for the United Provinces of the Netherlands. After his death, he was celebrated as a martyr for freedom and Protestantism. His legacy endures in the Dutch national anthem, the Wilhelmus, which honors his memory.
1584 William I of Orange Delft Holland Balthasar Gérard
1645day.year

English Civil War: The Battle of Langport takes place.

A key battle of the English Civil War occurs at Langport.
On July 10, 1645, Parliamentarian forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax engaged Royalist troops at Langport in Somerset. This clash was one of the decisive engagements during the First English Civil War. Fairfax’s well-disciplined New Model Army outmaneuvered the Royalists, securing a critical victory. The defeat significantly weakened King Charles I’s control in the West Country. Langport paved the way for the subsequent siege of Bristol and further Parliamentarian advances. The battle showcased the effectiveness of the New Model Army’s tactics and discipline. It also underscored the growing momentum of Parliamentary forces. The outcome contributed to the eventual downfall of the Royalist cause and reshaped military warfare in England.
1645 English Civil War Battle of Langport
1668day.year

Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1671): Notable Buccaneer Henry Morgan with an English Privateer force lands at Porto Bello in an attempt to capture the fortified and lucrative Spanish city.

Notorious privateer Henry Morgan launches an amphibious raid on Porto Bello in Spanish Honduras.
On July 10, 1668, English buccaneer Henry Morgan led a force of privateers to Porto Bello (now Portobelo, Panama), one of Spain’s most lucrative colonial ports. Morgan’s objective was to seize treasure from the fortified city and weaken Spanish colonial power. Landing on the isthmus, his men marched through the jungle and staged a surprise assault on the defenses. Despite heavy fortifications, the privateers overran the city and captured significant loot. This daring raid bolstered Morgan’s reputation and enriched his backers. The incursion strained Anglo-Spanish relations and prompted Spain to reinforce its coastal defenses. Morgan’s tactics foreshadowed his later, more infamous attack on Panama City. His exploits became legendary in the Golden Age of Piracy and remain a landmark in maritime warfare.
1668 Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1671) Buccaneer Henry Morgan Privateer Porto Bello capture the fortified and lucrative Spanish city
1778day.year

American Revolution: Louis XVI of France declares war on the Kingdom of Great Britain.

France enters the American Revolution by declaring war on Britain, altering the conflict’s balance.
On July 10, 1778, King Louis XVI of France formally declared war on Great Britain, entering the American Revolutionary War on the side of the colonies. This declaration followed France’s secret Treaty of Alliance with the United States in 1777. The French monarchy’s involvement provided crucial naval support, troops, and supplies to the Continental Army. Britain now faced a global war, with theatres in Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia. French engagement boosted American morale and strained British military resources. The conflict expanded into a struggle among European powers, transforming it into a world war. France’s declaration signaled a turning point, leading to eventual American victory. It also bolstered France’s international prestige on the eve of its own revolutionary upheaval.
1778 American Revolution Louis XVI of France Kingdom of Great Britain
1806day.year

The Vellore Mutiny is the first instance of a mutiny by Indian sepoys against the British East India Company.

Indian sepoys stage the Vellore Mutiny, the first major military revolt against the British East India Company.
On July 10, 1806, troops of the Madras Army at Vellore Fort in southern India mutinied against British East India Company rule. The sepoys protested new regulations that violated their religious and cultural practices, including orders on uniforms and headgear. The uprising quickly spread through the garrison, resulting in the deaths of several British officers. Reinforcements from nearby Arcot arrived swiftly and suppressed the revolt within hours. Over 100 sepoys were killed in the ensuing battle, and many more were executed or punished afterwards. The Vellore Mutiny exposed deep cultural tensions under colonial military policies. It served as a precursor to the larger Indian Rebellion of 1857. In its aftermath, the Company revised its regulations to avoid further religious grievances. Vellore remains an important chapter in the history of resistance to colonial rule.
1806 Vellore Mutiny sepoys British East India Company
1882day.year

War of the Pacific: Chile suffers its last military defeat in the Battle of La Concepción when a garrison of 77 men is annihilated by a 1,300-strong Peruvian force, many of them armed with spears.

A small Chilean force is destroyed at La Concepción by a much larger Peruvian contingent during the War of the Pacific.
On July 10, 1882, the Battle of La Concepción took place as part of the War of the Pacific. A 77-man Chilean garrison held a strategic position in southern Peru. They faced a Peruvian force of approximately 1,300 soldiers, many using traditional weapons such as spears. Despite fierce defense, the Chileans were overwhelmed and suffered complete annihilation. This defeat marked Chile’s last major military setback in the conflict. The outcome underscored the brutal nature of the war and galvanized Chilean resolve. The fallen garrison became a symbol of sacrifice, commemorated in Chilean military history.
1882 War of the Pacific Battle of La Concepción
1883day.year

War of the Pacific: Chileans led by Alejandro Gorostiaga defeat Andrés Avelino Cáceres's Peruvian army at the Battle of Huamachuco, hastening the end of the war.

Chilean forces under Alejandro Gorostiaga defeat Peruvian troops at Huamachuco, a turning point in the War of the Pacific.
On July 10, 1883, the Battle of Huamachuco saw Chilean troops led by General Alejandro Gorostiaga confront the army of Peruvian leader Andrés Avelino Cáceres. The engagement occurred in the Andean highlands, where Peruvian forces had entrenched positions. Despite harsh terrain and fierce resistance, the Chileans executed a coordinated assault. They captured strategic heights and forced the Peruvians into retreat. The victory disrupted Peruvian supply lines and morale. It hastened the end of the War of the Pacific, leading to eventual peace negotiations in 1884. The battle is remembered for its tactical importance in South American military history.
1883 War of the Pacific Alejandro Gorostiaga Andrés Avelino Cáceres Battle of Huamachuco
1921day.year

Belfast's Bloody Sunday occurs with 20 killings, at least 100 wounded and 200 homes destroyed during rioting and gun battles in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Rioting and gun battles erupt in Belfast, resulting in significant casualties and destruction during Bloody Sunday.
On July 10, 1921, Belfast experienced one of its most violent days of the Irish conflict, known as Bloody Sunday. Protestant and Catholic communities clashed in street riots and gunfights, fueled by political and sectarian tensions. At least 20 people were killed and over 100 injured as armed factions battled across the city. Homes and businesses suffered widespread damage, with approximately 200 houses destroyed. The violence underscored deep divisions during Ireland’s partition negotiations. British troops and police struggled to restore order amid escalating unrest. The events of that day heightened national and international concern over the unfolding Irish conflict.
1921 Belfast's Bloody Sunday Belfast Northern Ireland
1927day.year

Kevin O'Higgins TD, Vice-President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, is assassinated by the IRA.

Irish Free State politician Kevin O’Higgins is assassinated by IRA operatives.
On July 10, 1927, Kevin O’Higgins, Vice-President of the Executive Council and Justice Minister of the Irish Free State, was assassinated in Dublin. A leading figure in the pro-Treaty government, O’Higgins had overseen harsh measures against anti-Treaty rebels. Members of the Irish Republican Army ambushed him as he left church, gunning him down in cold blood. His death shocked the nation and intensified the government’s campaign against the IRA. O’Higgins was renowned for his legal reforms and efforts to stabilize the fledgling state. His assassination underscored the violent aftershocks of the Irish Civil War. He was the highest-ranking government official killed by the IRA during that period.
1927 Kevin O'Higgins TD Irish Free State IRA