July 19

Events

AD 64day.year

The Great Fire of Rome causes widespread devastation and rages on for six days, destroying half of the city.

A catastrophic fire swept through ancient Rome in AD 64, destroying much of the city over six days.
In the summer of AD 64, a massive blaze broke out in Rome, engulfing wooden structures and dense neighborhoods. The fire burned unabated for six days, annihilating nearly half the urban area and leaving thousands homeless. Emperor Nero faced rumors of starting the fire and initiated major rebuilding projects afterwards. Archaeological remains reveal charred buildings and suggest how Roman firefighting was overwhelmed. This calamity reshaped the city's architecture and prompted new building regulations to prevent future disasters.
AD 64 Great Fire of Rome
484day.year

Leontius, Roman usurper, is crowned Eastern emperor at Tarsus (modern Turkey). He is recognized in Antioch and makes it his capital.

In 484, Leontius, a Roman usurper, proclaimed himself Eastern Roman Emperor at Tarsus and was recognized by Antioch.
Following political turmoil in the Eastern Roman Empire, Leontius seized power in 484 by having himself crowned emperor in Tarsus. He garnered support from military factions and was acknowledged in Antioch, making it his capital. His reign challenged the authority of Emperor Zeno and highlighted the instability of imperial succession. Leontius' brief tenure underscored the role of regional loyalties and military backing in late Roman politics. Ultimately, his usurpation ended in defeat, but it exemplifies the fragmented power struggles of the era.
484 Leontius usurper Tarsus Turkey Antioch
711day.year

Umayyad conquest of Hispania: Battle of Guadalete: Umayyad forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeat the Visigoths led by King Roderic.

In 711, Umayyad forces under Tariq ibn Ziyad defeated the Visigoths at the Battle of Guadalete, initiating the conquest of Hispania.
The Battle of Guadalete marked the beginning of the Umayyad conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Led by General Tariq ibn Ziyad, Muslim forces clashed with Visigothic King Roderic's army near the Guadalete River. The Visigoths suffered a decisive defeat, leading to the collapse of the kingdom and rapid Muslim expansion. This engagement opened Hispania to centuries of Islamic rule and profoundly influenced the region's culture, language, and architecture. Historians debate details of troop numbers and tactics, but all agree on its pivotal role in medieval European history.
711 Umayyad conquest of Hispania Battle of Guadalete Umayyad Tariq ibn Ziyad Visigoths Roderic
939day.year

Battle of Simancas: King Ramiro II of León defeats the Moorish army under Caliph Abd-al-Rahman III near the city of Simancas.

In 939, King Ramiro II of León achieved a major victory over Caliph Abd-al-Rahman III's Moorish forces at Simancas.
The Battle of Simancas was a key conflict in the Christian Reconquista of Iberia. King Ramiro II of León confronted the invading army of Caliph Abd-al-Rahman III near the Duero River. Christian forces secured a decisive victory, halting Moorish advances into northern territories. This triumph bolstered the morale and political standing of the Leonese kingdom. The battle's outcome paved the way for further Christian reconquests and realignments in medieval Spain.
939 Battle of Simancas Ramiro II of León Moorish Abd-al-Rahman III Simancas
998day.year

Arab–Byzantine wars: Battle of Apamea: Fatimids defeat a Byzantine army near Apamea.

In 998, the Fatimids defeated a Byzantine army near Apamea during the Arab–Byzantine wars.
The Battle of Apamea occurred within the broader Arab–Byzantine conflicts over control of Syria. Fatimid forces confronted a Byzantine expedition near the ancient city of Apamea in northern Syria. Leveraging superior tactics, the Fatimids routed the imperial troops, consolidating their hold on the region. This victory weakened Byzantine influence and underscored the Fatimid Caliphate's rising power. The engagement influenced subsequent frontier skirmishes and diplomatic negotiations in the eastern Mediterranean.
998 Arab–Byzantine wars Battle of Apamea Fatimids Byzantine Apamea
1333day.year

Wars of Scottish Independence: Battle of Halidon Hill: The English win a decisive victory over the Scots.

In 1333, English forces won a crushing victory over the Scots at the Battle of Halidon Hill during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Fought on July 19, 1333, at Halidon Hill near Berwick-upon-Tweed, this battle showcased the effectiveness of English longbowmen. Under King Edward III's command, English archers devastated advancing Scottish knights on the rugged hillside. The Scots, led by Patrick de Dunbar, suffered heavy casualties and retreated in disarray. This defeat crippled Scottish resistance and led to the temporary occupation of Berwick by England. Halidon Hill exemplified the changing nature of medieval warfare and the dominance of ranged weaponry.
1333 Wars of Scottish Independence Battle of Halidon Hill Scots
1544day.year

Italian War of 1542–46: The first Siege of Boulogne begins.

In 1544, the first Siege of Boulogne commenced as part of the Italian War of 1542–46 between France and England.
The Siege of Boulogne began when Henry VIII's forces laid siege to the strategic French port city. Boulogne, a vital Atlantic littoral stronghold, resisted for months under French defenders' determined efforts. English artillery and engineering techniques were tested in attempts to breach the city walls. The siege highlighted the growing importance of gunpowder weaponry in early modern sieges. Although Boulogne fell to England, subsequent treaties returned it to France, reflecting the ebb and flow of Renaissance politics.
1544 Italian War of 1542–46 Siege of Boulogne
1545day.year

The Tudor warship Mary Rose sinks off Portsmouth; in 1982 the wreck is salvaged in one of the most complex and expensive projects in the history of maritime archaeology.

In 1545, the Tudor warship Mary Rose sank off Portsmouth, later becoming one of archaeology's most famous shipwreck recoveries.
The Mary Rose was flagship of England's King Henry VIII and a marvel of Tudor naval engineering. On July 19, 1545, she sank unexpectedly during an engagement with the French fleet in the Solent. Over 400 crew members perished, and the wreck remained lost for over four centuries. In 1982, marine archaeologists raised the Mary Rose, preserving thousands of artifacts that offer unique insights into 16th-century naval life. The recovery project stands as one of the most complex and celebrated in maritime archaeology history.
1545 Tudor Mary Rose Portsmouth
1553day.year

The attempt to install Lady Jane Grey as Queen of England collapses after only nine days.

In 1553, Lady Jane Grey's nine-day reign as Queen of England collapsed, ending a brief bid for the throne.
Following King Edward VI's death, power-hungry nobles proclaimed Lady Jane Grey queen in a bid to prevent Mary Tudor's accession. Known as the 'Nine Days' Queen,' Jane faced overwhelming support for Mary's rightful claim. Public opinion and key aristocratic defections swiftly undermined her position. Imprisoned in the Tower of London, Jane was deposed and later executed under Mary I's orders. Her tragic story highlights Tudor dynastic struggles and the precarious nature of royal succession.
1553 Lady Jane Grey Queen of England
1588day.year

Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines: The Spanish Armada is sighted in the English Channel.

In 1588, the Spanish Armada was sighted off the English Channel, leading to the Battle of Gravelines during the Anglo-Spanish War.
The Battle of Gravelines was a crucial naval engagement between Spain's Armada and England's fleet. Raging winds and skillful English tactics prevented the Armada from linking up with the Duke of Parma's forces. Fire ships forced the Spanish to scatter, leading to disorganized retreat up the Channel. Although not a decisive battle by numbers, Gravelines marked the turning point in defending England from invasion. The failed Armada expedition had lasting effects on naval warfare and European power balances.
1588 Anglo-Spanish War Battle of Gravelines Spanish Armada English Channel
1701day.year

Representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy sign the Nanfan Treaty, ceding a large territory north of the Ohio River to England.

Through the Nanfan Treaty, the Iroquois Confederacy ceded extensive lands north of the Ohio River to England.
In 1701 representatives of the Iroquois Confederacy and agents of England convened to negotiate what became the Nanfan Treaty. Under the agreement, the Iroquois ceded rights to a large expanse of territory north of the Ohio River to the English Crown. The treaty aimed to secure alliances and formalize claims amid ongoing colonial expansion in North America. Although intended to strengthen peace and trade, the treaty's boundaries proved contentious among other indigenous nations and settlers. The Nanfan Treaty marked a pivotal moment in early colonial diplomacy, shaping future negotiations and land claims in the region.
1701 Iroquois Confederacy Nanfan Treaty Ohio River England
1702day.year

Great Northern War: A numerically superior Polish-Saxon army of Augustus II the Strong, operating from an advantageous defensive position, is defeated by a Swedish army half its size under the command of King Charles XII in the Battle of Klissow.

A smaller Swedish force under Charles XII defeats a larger Polish-Saxon army at the Battle of Klissow during the Great Northern War.
On July 19, 1702, during the Great Northern War, King Charles XII of Sweden led a force half the size of Augustus II's Polish-Saxon army at Klissow. Despite being outnumbered, the disciplined Swedish troops exploited tactical advantages on the battlefield. The decisive victory weakened the Polish-Saxon alliance and bolstered Sweden's military reputation in Europe. Casualties were significant on both sides, but the outcome demonstrated Charles XII's leadership and Sweden's battlefield innovation. The Battle of Klissow proved a turning point in the war, influencing subsequent campaigns and negotiations.
1702 Great Northern War Augustus II the Strong Charles XII Battle of Klissow