July 29

Events - Wars & Conflicts

587 BC

The Neo-Babylonian Empire sacks Jerusalem and destroys the First Temple.

In 587 BC, the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II captured Jerusalem, leading to the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of its inhabitants.
Year 587 BC saw Nebuchadnezzar II's forces encircle and conquer Jerusalem. After a fierce siege, the Babylonians dismantled the city's defenses and razed Solomon's First Temple to the ground. Thousands of residents were killed or exiled, beginning the Babylonian Captivity of the Jewish people. This event reshaped the religious and cultural landscape of the region. Archaeological discoveries and biblical accounts later provided detailed records of the city's fall. The loss of the Temple became a central theme in Jewish memory and identity.
587 BC Neo-Babylonian Empire sacks First Temple
904day.year

Sack of Thessalonica: Saracen raiders under Leo of Tripoli sack Thessaloniki, the Byzantine Empire's second-largest city, after a short siege, and plunder it for a week.

In 904 CE, Saracen raiders under Leo of Tripoli launched a daring assault on Thessalonica, plundering the Byzantine Empire's second-largest city for a week.
Leo of Tripoli, a former Byzantine sailor turned pirate, led Muslim fleets from Crete against the empire. They surprised Thessalonica's defenders and breached the walls after a brief siege. For seven days, the raiders looted churches, homes, and markets, capturing many inhabitants as slaves. Casualties mounted, and the city’s defenses were shown to be vulnerable to maritime raids. The sack prompted the Byzantines to strengthen their naval forces and coastal fortifications. This brutal attack became one of the most infamous episodes of the Arab-Byzantine conflicts.
904 Sack of Thessalonica Leo of Tripoli Thessaloniki Byzantine Empire
923day.year

Battle of Firenzuola: Lombard forces under King Rudolph II and Adalbert I, margrave of Ivrea, defeat the dethroned Emperor Berengar I of Italy at Firenzuola (Tuscany).

In 923 CE, Lombard forces led by King Rudolph II and Adalbert I of Ivrea defeated Emperor Berengar I at the Battle of Firenzuola in Tuscany.
The battle occurred amidst rival claims for supremacy in early medieval Italy. Rudolph II of Burgundy allied with Margrave Adalbert I to challenge Emperor Berengar I's authority. On the open fields near Firenzuola, their coalition outmaneuvered and routed the imperial army. Berengar's defeat marked the end of his dominance in northern Italy and led to political fragmentation. The victory empowered regional lords and invited further foreign intervention in Italian affairs. Firenzuola's outcome underscored the era's volatile alliances and shifting power dynamics.
923 Battle of Firenzuola Rudolph II Adalbert I Ivrea Berengar I of Italy Firenzuola Tuscany
1014day.year

Byzantine–Bulgarian wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, and his subsequent treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of a heart attack less than three months later, on October 6.

On July 29, 1014, Byzantine Emperor Basil II delivered a devastating blow to the Bulgarian army at the Battle of Kleidion, earning his nickname 'Bulgar-Slayer.'
In the rugged terrain of the Belasitsa Mountains, Basil II implemented a successful pincer maneuver. The Byzantine forces overwhelmed Tsar Samuil's troops, capturing thousands of Bulgarian soldiers. According to historical accounts, Basil ordered the blinding of 99 out of every 100 captives, sparing one for each hundred. Showing the blinded men to Samuil reportedly caused the tsar to suffer a fatal stroke months later. This ruthless act secured Byzantine supremacy in the Balkans and demoralized Bulgarian resistance. The battle became a legendary example of medieval warfare's brutality and strategic cunning.
1014 Byzantine–Bulgarian wars Battle of Kleidion Byzantine emperor Basil II Bulgarian Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria October 6
1018day.year

Count Dirk III defeats an army sent by Emperor Henry II in the Battle of Vlaardingen.

In 1018 CE, Count Dirk III of Holland achieved a landmark victory against Emperor Henry II's army at the Battle of Vlaardingen, solidifying his autonomy.
Count Dirk III's assertion of authority in the Rhine delta challenged imperial control. Emperor Henry II dispatched forces to subdue Dirk near the town of Vlaardingen. Dirk exploited the marshy landscape, luring the imperial troops into ambushes and bottlenecks. The unfamiliar terrain caused chaos among Henry's soldiers, leading to a decisive rout. This victory affirmed Holland's de facto independence and enhanced Dirk’s prestige. The battle is often regarded as the foundation of the County of Holland's future power.
1018 Dirk III Emperor Henry II Battle of Vlaardingen
1030day.year

Ladejarl-Fairhair succession wars: Battle of Stiklestad: King Olaf II fights and dies trying to regain his Norwegian throne from the Danes.

On July 29, 1030, King Olaf II of Norway fell at the Battle of Stiklestad during his attempt to reclaim his throne, later becoming the nation's patron saint.
Olaf II returned from exile with a small force to challenge Danish-backed rulers in Norway. At Stiklestad, his men fought fiercely but were heavily outnumbered by enemy troops. King Olaf was killed in combat, and his body was displayed as proof of his death. Within years, reports of miracles at his grave led to his canonization as Saint Olaf. His martyrdom facilitated the Christianization of Norway and strengthened royal authority. The Battle of Stiklestad is commemorated annually with historical reenactments.
1030 Ladejarl Fairhair Battle of Stiklestad King Olaf II Norwegian throne Danes
1148day.year

The Siege of Damascus ends in a decisive crusader defeat and leads to the disintegration of the Second Crusade.

On July 29, 1148, Crusader forces abandoned the Siege of Damascus in disarray, marking a critical failure of the Second Crusade.
The Frankish armies, aiming to capture Damascus as a base for further incursions, laid siege to the city. Internal disagreements over tactics and distrust among Crusader leaders weakened their efforts. Poor supply lines and stiff resistance from local defenders further sapped morale. After just four days, the Crusaders withdrew amid accusations of betrayal and incompetence. This retreat shattered the momentum of the Second Crusade and disappointed European supporters. Damascus remained under Muslim rule, and the crusading movement faced a crisis of confidence.
1148 Siege of Damascus Second Crusade
1588day.year

Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines: English naval forces under the command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake defeat the Spanish Armada off the coast of Gravelines, France.

English naval forces under Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake defeat the Spanish Armada at the Battle of Gravelines, crippling Spain's attempt to invade England.
In July 1588, during the Anglo-Spanish War, King Philip II of Spain dispatched the formidable Armada to overthrow Elizabeth I and halt English support for the Dutch rebels. On July 29, English fleets commanded by Lord Charles Howard and his second-in-command Sir Francis Drake engaged the Armada off the coast of Gravelines, France. The English used fire ships as a tactical diversion and exploited their faster, more maneuverable vessels. The disorganized Spanish fleet suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat northwards into the North Sea. The defeat marked a major turning point in naval warfare and signaled the decline of Spain's maritime supremacy. This victory boosted English morale and helped pave the way for the rise of the British Empire on the seas.
1588 Anglo-Spanish War Battle of Gravelines naval Lord Charles Howard Francis Drake Spanish Armada Gravelines
1693day.year

War of the Grand Alliance: Battle of Landen: France wins a victory over Allied forces in the Netherlands.

France secures a hard-fought victory over Allied forces at the Battle of Landen during the War of the Grand Alliance.
The Battle of Landen, fought on July 29, 1693, was a significant engagement in the War of the Grand Alliance, where French forces clashed with Allied armies under William III of England. Marshal Nicolas Catinat led the French and executed a defensive strategy that repelled multiple Allied attacks. Despite heavy casualties on both sides, France maintained control of the battlefield. The victory bolstered French military prestige and temporarily checked the Allied advance in the Spanish Netherlands. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of trench fortifications and artillery support in late 17th-century warfare. It also highlighted the strategic importance of fortified positions in shaping the outcome of major European conflicts.
1693 War of the Grand Alliance Battle of Landen
1848day.year

Great Famine of Ireland: Tipperary Revolt: In County Tipperary, Ireland, then in the United Kingdom, an unsuccessful nationalist revolt against British rule is put down by police.

Irish nationalists stage the Tipperary Revolt during the Great Famine, but the uprising is swiftly suppressed by British authorities.
On July 29, 1848, amid the hardships of the Great Famine, a small group of Irish nationalists attempted to rebel against British rule in County Tipperary. Inspired by continental revolutions and led by local figures, the insurgents aimed to rally support for independence. However, the poorly armed and disorganized rebels were quickly confronted and arrested by the Royal Irish Constabulary and British troops. The revolt ended before it could spread, resulting in a few casualties and numerous imprisonments. The failure of the Tipperary Uprising underscored the challenges of mounting a rebellion during widespread famine and economic despair. Despite its limited scale, the revolt contributed to the growing Irish nationalist sentiment that would persist into the late 19th century.
1848 Great Famine of Ireland Tipperary Revolt County Tipperary nationalist
1862day.year

American Civil War: Confederate spy Belle Boyd is arrested by Union troops and detained at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C.

Confederate spy Belle Boyd is captured by Union forces and imprisoned at the Old Capitol Prison in Washington, D.C.
On July 29, 1862, Belle Boyd, one of the most famous Confederate spies of the Civil War, was apprehended by Union soldiers in Virginia. Known for her daring espionage activities and gathering of intelligence, Boyd’s capture was a significant morale boost for the Union. She was transported to Washington, D.C., and confined at the Old Capitol Prison, where she attracted widespread attention. Boyd’s imprisonment highlighted the crucial role of espionage on both sides during the conflict. After a few months, she was released in a prisoner exchange, allowing her to resume intelligence work for the Confederacy. Her daring exploits and memoirs later made her a celebrated and controversial figure in wartime history.
1862 American Civil War Confederate Belle Boyd Union Old Capitol Prison
1937day.year

Tongzhou mutiny: In Tongzhou, China, the East Hebei Army attacks Japanese troops and civilians.

Members of the East Hebei Army rebelled against Japanese forces and civilians in Tongzhou, triggering the Tongzhou mutiny.
On July 29, 1937, soldiers of the East Hebei Army turned on Japanese troops and foreign civilians stationed in Tongzhou, China. The mutiny resulted in widespread killings of Japanese military personnel, railway employees, and stranded civilians. The uprising was fueled by nationalist sentiment and resentment toward Japanese influence in the region. Although Japanese forces suppressed the revolt within days, the incident escalated hostilities and deepened mistrust between China and Japan. The Tongzhou mutiny foreshadowed the broader Second Sino-Japanese War that would erupt later that year. It exposed the fragility of puppet armies and the volatility of Sino-Japanese relations in the prelude to World War II.
1937 Tongzhou mutiny Tongzhou, China East Hebei Army