July 12

Events - Wars & Conflicts

70day.year

The armies of Titus attack the walls of Jerusalem after a six-month siege. Three days later they breach the walls, which enables the army to destroy the Second Temple.

Roman forces under Titus ended a six-month siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, breaching its walls and destroying the Second Temple.
The Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD was a crucial moment in the First Jewish–Roman War. General Titus led Roman legions to encircle and blockade the city after months of unrest. After a relentless six-month blockade, they shattered the defenses and entered Jerusalem three days later. The destruction of the Second Temple not only crushed the Jewish revolt but also led to a profound diaspora. Archaeological and historical accounts highlight the intense urban combat and humanitarian toll of the siege. This event remains a powerful symbol of conflict, resilience, and the reshaping of ancient societies.
70 Titus Jerusalem a six-month siege breach the walls destroy Second Temple
1191day.year

Third Crusade: Saladin's garrison surrenders to Philip Augustus, ending the two-year siege of Acre.

During the Third Crusade in 1191, Philip II of France compelled Saladin’s garrison at Acre to surrender, ending a grueling two-year siege.
The Siege of Acre (1189–1191) was a pivotal engagement of the Third Crusade. By July 1191, combined forces of King Philip II of France and King Richard I of England had tightened their blockade around the city. After enduring prolonged starvation and casualties, Saladin’s defenders negotiated terms of surrender with Philip Augustus. The fall of Acre provided the Crusaders with a crucial port and bolstered morale for further campaigns in the Holy Land. The event is remembered for its strategic importance and the early display of cross-kingdom cooperation against a common foe.
1191 Third Crusade Saladin Philip Augustus siege of Acre
1470day.year

The Ottomans capture Euboea.

In 1470, Ottoman forces seized control of the island of Euboea, consolidating their power in the Aegean region.
During the reign of Sultan Mehmed II, Ottoman expansion in the eastern Mediterranean intensified. The strategic island of Euboea was a prized naval and commercial hub under Venetian and local Greek rule. In July 1470, Ottoman troops launched an amphibious assault, overwhelming scattered defenders. The capture secured Ottoman dominance of sea routes and weakened the Venetian maritime network. This victory paved the way for further Ottoman advances into mainland Greece and the Balkans.
1470 Ottomans capture Euboea
1576day.year

Mughal Empire annexes Bengal after defeating the Bengal Sultanate at the Battle of Rajmahal.

In 1576, the Mughal Empire secured a decisive victory at the Battle of Rajmahal, leading to the annexation of Bengal.
The Battle of Rajmahal was fought in 1576 between the Mughal forces under Emperor Akbar and the Bengal Sultanate. After defeating Sultan Daud Khan Karrani, the Mughals annexed the rich province of Bengal, extending their empire eastwards. Bengal’s fertile lands, thriving trade routes, and strategic ports contributed significantly to the Mughal economy. The conquest introduced the imperial administration and revenue systems to Bengal, integrating it into Mughal governance. Over time, Bengal emerged as one of the wealthiest regions, fostering cultural and artistic developments under Mughal patronage.
1576 Mughal Empire Bengal Bengal Sultanate Battle of Rajmahal
1691day.year

Battle of Aughrim (Julian calendar): The decisive victory of William III of England's forces in Ireland.

William III’s forces delivered a crushing blow to the Jacobites at Aughrim in 1691, effectively ending major resistance in Ireland.
The Battle of Aughrim, fought on July 12, 1691 (Julian calendar), was the bloodiest engagement of the Williamite War in Ireland. Williamite troops under Godert de Ginkel decisively defeated the Jacobite army led by the Marquis de St. Ruth. Heavy casualties among the Jacobites shattered their capacity to continue organized resistance. This victory paved the way for the Siege of Limerick and the eventual Treaty of Limerick, ending the war. Aughrim’s outcome cemented Protestant ascendancy in Ireland and reshaped its political landscape.
1691 Battle of Aughrim Julian calendar William III of England
1799day.year

Ranjit Singh conquers Lahore and becomes Maharaja of the Punjab (Sikh Empire).

Ranjit Singh seized Lahore in 1799, proclaiming himself Maharaja and founding the Sikh Empire’s core.
In July 1799, Sikh leader Ranjit Singh captured the fortified city of Lahore from Afghan rulers. He declared himself Maharaja of the Punjab, uniting various Sikh misls under his rule. Lahore became the capital of the burgeoning Sikh Empire, centralizing administration and military power. Ranjit Singh implemented reforms, modernized the army with European expertise, and fostered religious tolerance. His leadership laid the foundation for a prosperous and culturally vibrant Sikh state.
1799 Ranjit Singh Sikh Empire
1801day.year

British ships inflict heavy damage on Spanish and French ships in the Second Battle of Algeciras.

In the Second Battle of Algeciras (1801), the British navy inflicted heavy losses on French and Spanish fleets near Gibraltar.
On July 12, 1801, during the Napoleonic Wars, the British Channel Fleet engaged Franco–Spanish ships in Algeciras Bay. Following an initial rout, reinforcements under Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez intercepted the enemy fleet. Superior British gunnery and seamanship sank or captured several vessels, turning the tide of the engagement. The victory reinforced British naval dominance in the Strait of Gibraltar and disrupted enemy supply lines. Algeciras highlighted the strategic importance of naval power in the conflict with Napoleonic France.
1801 Second Battle of Algeciras
1812day.year

The American Army of the Northwest briefly occupies the Upper Canadian settlement at what is now at Windsor, Ontario.

During the War of 1812, the U.S. Army of the Northwest briefly occupied the site of modern-day Windsor, Ontario.
On July 12, 1812, soon after war was declared, American forces under General William Hull advanced into Upper Canada. They occupied Sandwich, the settlement opposite Detroit, marking the first American incursion. Supply shortages and the threat of Native American and British counterattacks forced a rapid withdrawal. This early raid demonstrated the challenges of invading Canada and highlighted logistical constraints. The skirmish at Sandwich foreshadowed the contested border engagements of the War of 1812.
1812 Army of the Northwest Upper Canadian Windsor, Ontario
1913day.year

Serbian forces begin their siege of the Bulgarian city of Vidin; the siege is later called off when the war ends.

In 1913, Serbian forces laid siege to the Bulgarian fortress city of Vidin during the Second Balkan War, only lifting it when hostilities ended.
The siege of Vidin began on July 12, 1913, as part of the concluding battles of the Second Balkan War. Serbian troops surrounded the strategic Danube River port, hoping to force Bulgaria to capitulate. The city's defenses held out despite artillery bombardment and attempts to breach the walls. The standoff concluded when the Treaty of Bucharest ended the war later that month. Though brief, the siege highlighted the shifting alliances and national ambitions that characterized the Balkan conflicts. Vidin’s resilience became a symbol of Bulgarian defiance in subsequent national narratives.
1913 Serbian siege Bulgarian Vidin
1943day.year

World War II: Battle of Kursk: German and Soviet forces engage in the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest armored engagements of all time.

On July 12, 1943, German and Soviet armored divisions clashed at Prokhorovka in one of history’s largest tank battles during the Battle of Kursk.
The engagement at Prokhorovka was part of Operation Citadel, Nazi Germany’s attempt to pinch off the Kursk salient. Over 800 German tanks faced off against more than 1,200 Soviet armored vehicles on the open fields near the town. The fierce fighting resulted in heavy losses on both sides but halted the German advance. Soviet defenses leveraged minefields and anti-tank artillery to blunt the assault. Prokhorovka became emblematic of the Soviet Union’s strategic resilience and industrial capacity. The broader Battle of Kursk marked the turning point on the Eastern Front, shifting the momentum in favor of the Red Army.
1943 World War II Battle of Kursk German Soviet Battle of Prokhorovka
1948day.year

Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion orders the expulsion of Palestinians from the towns of Lod and Ramla.

In 1948, Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion ordered the expulsion of Palestinian residents from the towns of Lod and Ramla, leading to their mass displacement.
The expulsions took place on July 12, 1948, during the Arab–Israeli War following the declaration of Israel’s independence. Military authorities implemented the order under Plan Dalet, aiming to secure strategic areas. Over 50,000 Palestinian civilians were forced to leave their homes in two days, with many seeking refuge elsewhere in the region. Properties were later repurposed or destroyed to prevent return. The events in Lod (Lydda) and Ramla have remained a contentious chapter in Israeli and Palestinian narratives. The expulsions contributed to the broader Palestinian refugee crisis that endures today.
1948 David Ben-Gurion expulsion of Palestinians Lod Ramla
1998day.year

The Ulster Volunteer Force attacked a house in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a petrol bomb, killing the Quinn brothers.

The Ulster Volunteer Force launched a petrol bomb attack on a home in Ballymoney, resulting in the deaths of the Quinn brothers.
On July 12, 1998, the Ulster Volunteer Force, a loyalist paramilitary organization, attacked a Catholic family's home in Ballymoney, County Antrim. Perpetrators hurled a petrol bomb through a window, igniting a blaze inside the house. Two young brothers, John and Michael Quinn, perished in the fire, shocking the local community. The sectarian attack drew widespread condemnation and underscored the lingering tensions of the Troubles. Police investigations led to arrests and convictions, highlighting ongoing challenges for peace in Northern Ireland. The Quinn brothers' memory endures as a tragic reminder of the conflict's toll on innocent civilians.
1998 Ulster Volunteer Force Ballymoney County Antrim Northern Ireland petrol bomb killing the Quinn brothers