July 21

Events - Wars & Conflicts

905day.year

King Berengar I of Italy and a hired Hungarian army defeats the Frankish forces at Verona. King Louis III is captured and blinded for breaking his oath (see 902).

King Berengar I of Italy, aided by Hungarian mercenaries, defeats the Frankish army at Verona and captures King Louis III.
On July 21, 905, King Berengar I of Italy allied with Hungarian mercenaries to confront the invading Frankish army at Verona. The decisive victory saw Berengar’s forces rout the Franks and capture King Louis III, who was subsequently blinded for breaking his oath. This brutal punishment aimed to eliminate a political rival and underscore the sanctity of royal promises. The battle cemented Berengar’s control over northern Italy and deterred further Frankish incursions. The alliance with the Hungarians highlighted the shifting military tactics of the early medieval period, emphasizing cavalry mobility. The outcome at Verona shaped Italian politics and set the tone for future conflicts between local rulers and external powers.
905 Berengar I of Italy Hungarian Frankish Verona Louis III 902
1242day.year

Battle of Taillebourg: Louis IX of France puts an end to the revolt of his vassals Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan.

King Louis IX of France defeats rebel forces led by Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan at the Battle of Taillebourg.
On July 21, 1242, King Louis IX of France led royal forces against the rebellious vassals of Henry III of England and Hugh X of Lusignan near the bridge of Taillebourg. The French army's disciplined cavalry charge broke the Anglo-Lusignan lines, forcing the enemy to retreat across the Charente River. The victory at Taillebourg effectively ended the revolt against Louis’s authority and reinforced Capetian dominance in western France. Henry III and his allies were compelled to accept Louis’s terms, leading to a temporary peace and the restoration of royal control. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of heavy cavalry in medieval warfare and bolstered Louis’s reputation as a chivalric king. Louis IX would later become renowned for his piety and fair rule, earning canonization as Saint Louis in 1297.
1242 Battle of Taillebourg Louis IX of France Henry III of England Hugh X of Lusignan
1403day.year

Battle of Shrewsbury: King Henry IV of England defeats rebels to the north of the county town of Shropshire, England.

King Henry IV of England defeats rebel forces led by Hotspur at the Battle of Shrewsbury, consolidating his rule.
On July 21, 1403, King Henry IV personally led his army against a rebel faction headed by Henry Percy, known as Hotspur, near Shrewsbury. Despite fierce fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, the king’s troops ultimately prevailed, and Percy was killed in the combat. The victory solidified Henry’s control over the English throne amid widespread baronial dissent. It weakened the powerful Percy family and discouraged further large-scale rebellions for several years. The battle is immortalized in Shakespeare’s play "Henry IV, Part 1," emphasizing themes of honor, loyalty, and the burdens of kingship. Henry IV’s success at Shrewsbury helped stabilize his reign and laid the groundwork for future campaigns abroad.
1403 Battle of Shrewsbury Henry IV of England Shropshire
1545day.year

The first landing of French troops on the coast of the Isle of Wight during the French invasion of the Isle of Wight.

French forces make their first landing on the Isle of Wight during an invasion of southern England under Henry VIII.
On July 21, 1545, during the reign of Henry VIII, French troops landed on the Isle of Wight as part of an attempted invasion of southern England. The invaders aimed to challenge English naval supremacy and coerce the king into diplomatic concessions. Local militias and islanders mounted a determined defense, slowing the French advance and inflicting significant casualties. The French fleet engaged English coastal defenses and patrol ships in the Solent but failed to secure a lasting foothold on the island. Although the invasion did not achieve its strategic objectives, it exposed weaknesses in England’s coastal fortifications. In response, Henry VIII ordered the construction of new artillery forts across the south coast, reshaping England's maritime defenses.
1545 Isle of Wight French invasion of the Isle of Wight
1568day.year

Eighty Years' War: Battle of Jemmingen: Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva defeats Louis of Nassau.

Spanish forces under the Duke of Alva crush Louis of Nassau’s troops at the Battle of Jemmingen in the Eighty Years' War.
On July 21, 1568, Spanish troops led by Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, the Duke of Alva, ambushed Louis of Nassau's rebel army near Jemmingen. The disciplined Spanish tercios devastated the Dutch rebels, forcing many soldiers into the Ems River where they drowned or were captured. The decisive victory strengthened Spanish control over the northern provinces and temporarily quelled the early Dutch Revolt. Despite this setback, the Dutch resistance endured, eventually leading to the independence of the Dutch Republic. The battle showcased the effectiveness of Spanish infantry tactics and marked the beginning of a protracted struggle in the Low Countries. Jemmingen remains a key example of the brutal warfare and political turmoil of the Sixteenth-Century European conflicts.
1568 Eighty Years' War Battle of Jemmingen Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva Louis of Nassau
1656day.year

The Raid on Málaga takes place during the Anglo-Spanish War.

During the Anglo-Spanish War, the English navy launched a daring raid on the strategic Spanish port of Málaga.
In July 1656, amid the Anglo-Spanish War, the English fleet set sail for the southern coast of Spain. The operation targeted the busy port of Málaga, a key center for Spanish maritime trade. English ships bombarded the harbor defenses and intercepted merchant vessels, inflicting heavy losses. The raid disrupted Spain's supply lines and demonstrated England's growing naval power. It marked one of the first major English amphibious raids on the Mediterranean coast. The bold action boosted English morale and put additional pressure on Spain in the wider conflict.
1656 Raid on Málaga Anglo-Spanish War
1674day.year

A Dutch assault on the French island of Martinique is repulsed against all odds.

A Dutch expedition against the French-held island of Martinique is repulsed by its determined defenders.
On 21 July 1674, Dutch warships and troops launched a surprise assault on Martinique, then a strategic French sugar colony. The French garrison and local militia rallied to defend the island’s key forts and harbors. Despite initial gains, the Dutch forces faced stiff resistance and logistical challenges in the tropical environment. Heavy casualties and the island’s rugged terrain forced the attackers to abandon their plans. The failed operation maintained French control over Martinique and underscored the colony’s defensive strength. This rare Dutch setback highlighted the difficulties of projecting power across the Atlantic during the age of sail.
1674 Dutch assault Martinique
1774day.year

Russo-Turkish War (1768–74): Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca ending the war.

Russia and the Ottoman Empire sign the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, concluding their war and reshaping Eastern European power.
On 21 July 1774, after six years of brutal conflict, Russia and the Ottoman Empire finalized the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca. The agreement granted Russia new territories along the Black Sea coast and special trading privileges. The Ottomans acknowledged the independence of the Crimean Khanate, setting the stage for its eventual annexation by Russia. By securing the right to protect Orthodox Christians under Ottoman rule, Russia expanded its diplomatic influence. The treaty weakened Ottoman control in the Balkans and enhanced Russia’s naval presence. This diplomatic victory marked Russia’s emergence as a major European power. The Treaty remained a cornerstone of Russo-Ottoman relations well into the 19th century.
1774 Russo-Turkish War (1768–74) Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca
1798day.year

French campaign in Egypt and Syria: Napoleon's forces defeat an Ottoman-Mamluk army near Cairo in the Battle of the Pyramids.

Napoleon’s army defeats Ottoman-Mamluk forces near Cairo in the famous Battle of the Pyramids.
On 21 July 1798, during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign, French troops under General Bonaparte advanced toward Cairo. They confronted a combined Ottoman and Mamluk force in the shadow of the ancient pyramids at Giza. Employing innovative infantry square formations, the French repelled repeated cavalry charges. The disciplined French lines inflicted heavy losses on the Mamluk knights renowned for their horsemanship. This decisive victory opened the path to Cairo and cemented French control of northern Egypt. It enhanced Napoleon’s reputation as a military genius across Europe. The battle’s dramatic backdrop against the pyramids symbolized a clash between antiquity and modern warfare.
1798 French campaign in Egypt and Syria Napoleon's Ottoman Mamluk Cairo Battle of the Pyramids
1861day.year

American Civil War: First Battle of Bull Run: At Manassas Junction, Virginia, the first major battle of the war begins and ends in a victory for the Confederate army.

The First Battle of Bull Run marks the first major land battle of the American Civil War, ending in a Confederate victory.
On 21 July 1861, Union and Confederate forces met at Manassas Junction, Virginia, for the war’s first large-scale battle. Inexperienced troops on both sides clashed along Bull Run creek under a watchful sky. Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earned the nickname "Stonewall" for his steadfast defense. The Union army’s failed assaults gave way to a chaotic retreat under Confederate counterattacks. This stunning Confederate victory shattered Northern hopes for a quick end to the conflict. Civilian spectators, who had come to picnic, witnessed the grim realities of modern warfare. The First Battle of Bull Run underscored the brutal nature and prolongation of the Civil War.
1861 American Civil War First Battle of Bull Run Manassas Junction, Virginia Confederate
1936day.year

Spanish Civil War: The Central Committee of Antifascist Militias of Catalonia is constituted, establishing an anarcho-syndicalist economy in Catalonia.

The Central Committee of Antifascist Militias of Catalonia was formed, establishing an anarcho-syndicalist economy.
Amid the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, Catalan workers and activists seized control of factories and farms. On July 21, 1936, they formed the Central Committee of Antifascist Militias of Catalonia to coordinate defense and governance. The committee implemented anarcho-syndicalist principles, collectivizing industry and agriculture across the region. Local militias staffed by workers defended Barcelona against Nationalist forces. This experiment in self-management became a defining chapter of the war, demonstrating an alternative model to authoritarianism. Despite initial successes, internal fractures and the wider conflict eventually undermined the collectivist project. The legacy of the Catalan revolution continues to inspire social movements around the world.
1936 Spanish Civil War Central Committee of Antifascist Militias of Catalonia anarcho-syndicalist Catalonia
1944day.year

World War II: Battle of Guam: American troops land on Guam, starting a battle that will end on August 10.

American troops landed on Guam in 1944, initiating the Battle of Guam in World War II.
On July 21, 1944, U.S. forces launched a major amphibious assault on the Japanese-held island of Guam. The operation aimed to recapture the strategically vital Mariana Island as part of the Pacific island-hopping campaign. Thousands of marines and soldiers stormed the beaches under heavy enemy fire. Over the next weeks, fierce fighting in dense jungle and fortified positions tested Allied resolve. By August 10, American forces secured the island, providing a crucial base for the push toward the Philippines and Japan. The Battle of Guam demonstrated the importance of combined naval, air, and ground operations in the Pacific Theater.
1944 World War II Battle of Guam Guam August 10