490 BC
Battle of Marathon: The conventionally accepted date for the Battle of Marathon. The Athenians and their Plataean allies defeat the first Persian invasion force of Greece.
The Athenians and Plataeans defeat the Persian invasion force at the Battle of Marathon, marking a pivotal moment in Greek history.
In 490 BC, during the first Persian invasion of Greece, Athenian hoplites joined by Plataeans confronted the Persian army on the plains of Marathon.
The heavily outnumbered Greeks employed superior tactics and terrain advantage to rout the enemy.
This victory boosted Greek morale and preserved the independence of the city-states.
Legend holds that a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the news, inspiring the modern marathon race.
The outcome shaped the future course of Western civilization by halting Persian expansion into Europe.
490 BC
Battle of Marathon
Athenians
Plataean
first Persian invasion force of Greece
1213day.year
Albigensian Crusade: Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester, defeats Peter II of Aragon at the Battle of Muret.
Simon de Montfort secures a decisive victory over Peter II of Aragon at the Battle of Muret during the Albigensian Crusade.
In 1213, amid the Albigensian Crusade against the Cathar heresy, Simon de Montfort led crusader forces against a coalition of Occitan lords and King Peter II of Aragon.
At Muret, de Montfort’s tactical expertise overcame the larger Iberian army, killing Peter II and shattering regional resistance.
This triumph weakened southern French nobility and bolstered the crusade’s momentum in suppressing the Cathars.
The battle reshaped the political landscape of Languedoc, strengthening northern French influence.
Muret stands as a key turning point in the expansion of French royal authority over Occitania.
1213
Albigensian Crusade
Simon de Montfort, 5th Earl of Leicester
Peter II of Aragon
Battle of Muret
1229day.year
Battle of Portopí: The Aragonese army under the command of James I of Aragon disembarks at Santa Ponça, Mallorca, with the purpose of conquering the island.
James I of Aragon lands his forces on Mallorca, initiating the Battle of Portopí in the campaign to conquer the island.
In 1229, King James I of Aragon launched a military expedition to seize the Balearic island of Mallorca from Muslim rule.
His army landed at Santa Ponça and engaged Granadan defenders in the rugged terrain of Portopí.
The initial clashes proved costly but ultimately favored the well-organized Aragonese forces.
This operation marked the beginning of a prolonged conquest that would secure Aragonese dominance in the western Mediterranean.
The Battle of Portopí showcased medieval amphibious warfare and the strategic importance of island strongholds.
1229
Battle of Portopí
James I of Aragon
Santa Ponça
Mallorca
1309day.year
The First siege of Gibraltar takes place in the context of the Spanish Reconquista pitting the forces of the Kingdom of Castile against the Emirate of Granada resulting in a Castilian victory.
Castilian forces lay siege to Gibraltar, achieving victory over the Emirate of Granada in the early phase of the Reconquista.
In 1309, the Kingdom of Castile initiated the First Siege of Gibraltar against the Muslim stronghold held by the Emirate of Granada.
Under the leadership of King Ferdinand IV, Castilian troops encircled the fortress, cutting off supplies and reinforcements.
After a few weeks of blockade and assaults, the defenders capitulated, surrendering Gibraltar to Christian rule.
This conquest provided Castile with a key naval base controlling access to the Mediterranean.
The siege highlights the strategic and symbolic importance of Gibraltar in the protracted Reconquista campaigns.
1309
First siege of Gibraltar
Reconquista
Kingdom of Castile
Emirate of Granada
1683day.year
Austro-Ottoman War: Battle of Vienna: Several European armies join forces to defeat the Ottoman Empire.
European armies unite to lift the Ottoman siege of Vienna, turning the tide of the Austro-Ottoman War.
In 1683, a coalition of Polish, Austrian, and German forces assembled to relieve the besieged city of Vienna under Ottoman attack.
Under the leadership of King John III Sobieski of Poland, the relief army launched a decisive cavalry charge.
The intervention broke the Ottoman encirclement, marking the high-water mark of Ottoman expansion in Europe.
Vienna’s survival preserved Habsburg authority and initiated a long-term military counteroffensive against the Ottomans.
The battle’s outcome reshaped the balance of power in Central Europe for centuries.
1683
Austro-Ottoman War
Battle of Vienna
Ottoman Empire
1814day.year
Battle of North Point: an American detachment halts the British land advance to Baltimore in the War of 1812.
In the War of 1812, American forces halt a British advance toward Baltimore at the Battle of North Point.
In 1814, during the later stages of the War of 1812, American militia and regulars engaged retreating British troops at North Point, Maryland.
Under General John Stricker, the defenders executed a fighting withdrawal that delayed the British advance on Baltimore.
This action allowed the city’s defenses, including Fort McHenry, to prepare for the looming attack.
The British engagement at North Point contributed to the failure of the Chesapeake campaign.
The defense of Baltimore bolstered American morale and inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that became the national anthem.
1814
Battle of North Point
Baltimore
War of 1812
1847day.year
Mexican–American War: the Battle of Chapultepec begins.
The Battle of Chapultepec, a key engagement during the Mexican–American War, began on this day in 1847.
The Battle of Chapultepec was fought from September 12 to 13, 1847, on the heights surrounding Mexico City.
American forces led by General Winfield Scott attacked the historic Chapultepec Castle, a strategic fortress defended by Mexican troops.
The defenders included the Niños Héroes, six young cadets who became national heroes after bravely holding their position.
Its fall opened the path for U.S. troops to capture Mexico City and brought the war closer to its end.
The battle became a symbol of courage and triggered important discussions about military tactics and national honor.
1847
Mexican–American War
Battle of Chapultepec
1897day.year
Tirah campaign: In the Battle of Saragarhi, ten thousand Pashtun tribesmen suffer several hundred casualties while attacking 21 Sikh soldiers in British service.
The Battle of Saragarhi took place in 1897, where 21 Sikh soldiers defended their outpost against thousands of Pashtun tribesmen in British India.
On September 12, 1897, 21 soldiers of the 36th (Sikh) Regiment defended the garrison at Saragarhi against some 10,000 Pashtun tribesmen.
The outnumbered Sikhs held their position atop a hill in the North-West Frontier Province for nearly six hours.
Despite suffering heavy casualties, all defenders fought to the death, inflicting significant losses on the attackers.
The British colonial authorities awarded each soldier the Indian Order of Merit for their bravery.
The Battle of Saragarhi is honored annually by Sikh communities as a testament to courage and loyalty.
1897
Tirah campaign
Battle of Saragarhi
1915day.year
French soldiers rescue over 4,000 Armenian genocide survivors stranded on Musa Dagh.
In 1915, French warships rescued over 4,000 Armenian refugees stranded on Musa Dagh during the Armenian genocide.
From September 12, 1915, French naval vessels evacuated over 4,000 Armenian refugees from Musa Dagh in southern Turkey.
The Armenians had resisted Ottoman forces for 53 days, organizing a successful defense on the mountain.
Their rescue by French warships brought them to Port Said, Egypt, sparing them from deportation and massacre.
This operation became a symbol of international humanitarian action during World War I.
The Musa Dagh resistance was later commemorated in Franz Werfel’s novel, highlighting its enduring legacy.
1915
Armenian genocide
Musa Dagh
1942day.year
World War II: RMS Laconia, carrying civilians, Allied soldiers and Italian POWs is torpedoed off the coast of West Africa and sinks with a heavy loss of life.
The British liner RMS Laconia is torpedoed off West Africa, resulting in a tragic loss of Allied soldiers, civilians, and Italian POWs.
On September 12, 1942, the RMS Laconia was struck by a German U-boat torpedo off the coast of West Africa while transporting civilians, Allied troops, and Italian prisoners of war. The vessel quickly began to sink, leading to a chaotic evacuation amid rough seas. Despite the presence of women and children on board, rescue efforts were hampered by submarine warfare protocols. U-boat commander Werner Hartenstein later launched a rescue operation, but was ordered to cease by Admiral Dönitz following Allied attacks on U-boats conducting aid missions. The incident prompted the infamous "Laconia Order," forbidding U-boats from assisting survivors in future sinkings. Over 1,500 lives were lost, making it one of the war's deadliest maritime disasters. The tragedy highlighted the brutal realities of naval warfare and influenced subsequent submarine engagement rules.
1942
World War II
RMS Laconia
POWs
torpedoed
West Africa
1942day.year
World War II: First day of the Battle of Edson's Ridge during the Guadalcanal Campaign. U.S. Marines protecting Henderson Field are attacked by Imperial Japanese Army troops.
U.S. Marines defend Henderson Field on Edson's Ridge against a fierce Japanese assault during the Guadalcanal Campaign.
On September 12, 1942, Japanese forces launched a coordinated attack against U.S. Marine positions on what became known as Edson's Ridge (also Bloody Ridge) near Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. The Marines, under Colonel Merritt "Red Mike" Edson, held fortified hilltop defenses despite heavy artillery and infantry assaults. Fierce close-quarters combat raged throughout the day and into the night, with both sides suffering significant casualties. Marine machine guns and artillery proved decisive in repelling the attackers, who were forced to withdraw by dawn. The successful defense ensured the continued operation of Henderson Field, a critical airbase for Allied forces. This engagement marked a turning point in the Guadalcanal Campaign, bolstering Marine morale and disrupting Japanese plans. Colonel Edson was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership and bravery.
Battle of Edson's Ridge
Guadalcanal Campaign
U.S. Marines
Henderson Field
Imperial Japanese Army
1943day.year
World War II: Benito Mussolini is rescued from house arrest by German commando forces led by Otto Skorzeny.
German commandos led by Otto Skorzeny execute a daring glider raid to free Benito Mussolini from house arrest in the Gran Sasso mountains.
On September 12, 1943, German Fallschirmjager commandos launched Operation Oak to rescue deposed Italian leader Benito Mussolini from his mountaintop prison at Gran Sasso. Using gliders, Otto Skorzeny's forces landed on the mountain plateau and swiftly overpowered Italian guards without firing a shot. Mussolini was recovered and flown to Germany, where he was installed as head of the Italian Social Republic. The operation was hailed as a propaganda triumph and demonstrated the effectiveness of airborne assault tactics. Hitler personally commended the commando team for their precision and daring. The successful raid lifted Axis morale but also hardened Italian resistance against German occupation. Operation Oak remains one of the most remarkable special operations of World War II.
1943
rescued from house arrest
Otto Skorzeny