September 13

Events - Wars & Conflicts

585 BC

Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victories over the Sabines, and the surrender of Collatia.

Roman King Lucius Tarquinius Priscus celebrates a triumph over the Sabine people following the surrender of Collatia.
On the ides of September 585 BC, Rome’s fifth king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus staged a grand triumph procession. The ceremony celebrated his decisive victories against the Sabines, a neighboring Italic tribe. The conflict culminated in the surrender of the fortified town of Collatia to Roman forces. Tarquinius Priscus paraded spoils of war and captured standards through the streets of Rome. Citizens lined the route, offering sacrifices and cheering their king’s military prowess. Triumphs were rare honors, reserved for commanders whose victories expanded Rome’s influence. This event helped cement Tarquinius Priscus’s legacy as a foundational figure in early Roman history.
585 BC Lucius Tarquinius Priscus Rome triumph victories Sabines Collatia
533day.year

Belisarius of the Byzantine Empire defeats Gelimer and the Vandals at the Battle of Ad Decimum, near Carthage, North Africa.

Byzantine General Belisarius defeats the Vandals led by King Gelimer at the Battle of Ad Decimum near Carthage.
On September 13, 533, Byzantine forces under General Belisarius clashed with the Vandal army at Ad Decimum. The battle took place just outside the gates of ancient Carthage in North Africa. Belisarius’s tactical skill outflanked the Vandals, forcing King Gelimer to retreat into the city. This decisive victory opened the path for the reconquest of Carthage and the revival of Roman control in Africa. The campaign marked a major achievement in Emperor Justinian I’s ambition to restore the former glory of the Roman Empire. Belisarius reused former Vandal ships to supply his troops, demonstrating logistical ingenuity. The triumph in Africa bolstered Belisarius’s reputation as one of history’s greatest military commanders.
533 Belisarius Byzantine Empire Gelimer Vandals Battle of Ad Decimum Carthage
1437day.year

Battle of Tangier: a Portuguese expeditionary force initiates a failed attempt to seize the Moroccan citadel of Tangier.

Portuguese forces launch a failed assault on the Moroccan citadel of Tangier during the Battle of Tangier.
On September 13, 1437, a Portuguese expedition led by Prince Henry the Navigator attempted to capture Tangier. Tangier, a strategic port in Morocco, was heavily fortified and defended by Marinid forces. The Portuguese siege faltered as supply lines were cut and reinforcements failed to arrive in time. Disease and attrition weakened the invading army, forcing a retreat. The defeat marked a setback in Portugal’s early efforts to establish footholds along the African coast. Captive nobles and a failed ransom deal added political embarrassment to the military loss. The campaign highlighted the logistical challenges of overseas conquests before the Age of Discovery.
1437 Battle of Tangier Portuguese Tangier
1645day.year

Wars of the Three Kingdoms: Scottish Royalists are defeated by Covenanters at the Battle of Philiphaugh.

Covenanter forces defeat Scottish Royalists at the decisive Battle of Philiphaugh during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
On September 13, 1645, Covenanter troops under Sir David Leslie engaged Royalist forces near Selkirk, Scotland. The battle of Philiphaugh ended a Royalist advance in southern Scotland during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Leslie’s disciplined infantry outmaneuvered the less experienced Royalist army. The defeat crippled King Charles I’s support north of the border and secured Covenanter control. Prisoners taken at Philiphaugh were later executed, sowing fear among Royalist sympathizers. The victory strengthened the Covenanters’ position in negotiations with the English Parliament. Battle accounts emphasize the tactical innovation and the harsh realities of 17th-century warfare.
1645 Wars of the Three Kingdoms Battle of Philiphaugh
1759day.year

Battle of the Plains of Abraham: the British defeat the French near Quebec City in the Seven Years' War, known in the United States as the French and Indian War.

British forces defeat the French at the pivotal Battle of the Plains of Abraham near Quebec City in 1759.
On September 13, 1759, British troops under General James Wolfe engaged French defenders commanded by the Marquis de Montcalm. The battle took place on a plateau overlooking the St. Lawrence River outside Quebec City. Wolfe’s daring nighttime ascent of the cliffs caught the French by surprise. Both Wolfe and Montcalm were mortally wounded during the fierce fighting. The British victory sealed the fate of New France and tipped the balance in the Seven Years’ War. Quebec’s capitulation opened the door for British dominance in North America. The clash became legendary, symbolizing the struggle for colonial empires in the 18th century.
1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham Quebec City Seven Years' War French and Indian War
1782day.year

American Revolutionary War: Franco-Spanish troops launch the unsuccessful "grand assault" during the Great Siege of Gibraltar.

Franco-Spanish forces launch a grand assault but fail during the Great Siege of Gibraltar in 1782.
In 1782, the Great Siege of Gibraltar saw Franco-Spanish troops attempt a large-scale attack on the British garrison. The assault, known as the "grand assault," involved innovative floating batteries alongside heavy artillery. Despite careful planning, the floating batteries were repelled by superior British firepower and fortified defenses. The failure of this major attack marked a turning point in the siege and boosted British morale. Reinforcements and improved defensive tactics helped the garrison hold out against further assaults. The siege continued until 1783, ultimately ending in a decisive British victory. The event highlights the evolving strategies of siege warfare in the late 18th century.
1782 American Revolutionary War Great Siege of Gibraltar
1808day.year

Finnish War: In the Battle of Jutas, Swedish forces under Lieutenant General Georg Carl von Döbeln beat the Russians, making von Döbeln a Swedish war hero.

Swedish forces led by Georg Carl von Döbeln defeat the Russians at the Battle of Jutas during the Finnish War in 1808.
The Battle of Jutas, fought on September 13, 1808, was a key engagement in the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia. Lieutenant General Georg Carl von Döbeln commanded a Swedish force tasked with harassing the Russian rear guard near the village of Jutas. Utilizing swift cavalry maneuvers and coordinated infantry assaults, von Döbeln outflanked the Russians and forced their withdrawal. Despite being outnumbered, the Swedish troops exhibited exceptional discipline and resolve under his leadership. The victory at Jutas provided a much-needed morale boost for the Swedish army. It elevated von Döbeln to national hero status in Sweden. However, strategic setbacks elsewhere ultimately led to Sweden’s cession of Finland to Russia the following year.
1808 Finnish War Battle of Jutas Georg Carl von Döbeln Russians
1812day.year

War of 1812: A supply wagon sent to relieve Fort Harrison is ambushed in the Attack at the Narrows.

During the War of 1812, a supply wagon sent to Fort Harrison is ambushed at the Narrows.
On September 13, 1812, a convoy carrying critical supplies to Fort Harrison near present-day Terre Haute, Indiana, encountered an ambush by Native American warriors allied with the British. The narrow passage along the Wabash River, known as the Narrows, provided cover for the attackers. Despite being caught off-guard, the American escort force managed to repel the assault and safeguard the provisions. The successful defense ensured Fort Harrison’s garrison remained well-supplied and reinforced. The skirmish underscored the dangers of frontier warfare and the strategic importance of secure supply lines. It also marked one of the earliest engagements for future President Zachary Taylor, who served as a lieutenant at the time. The action at the Narrows reinforced American efforts to maintain control of the western frontier.
1812 War of 1812 Fort Harrison Attack at the Narrows
1814day.year

In a turning point in the War of 1812, the British fail to capture Baltimore. During the battle, Francis Scott Key composes his poem "Defence of Fort McHenry", which is later set to music and becomes the United States' national anthem.

The British fail to capture Baltimore in 1814, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write a poem that becomes the U.S. national anthem.
From September 13 to 14, 1814, British naval and land forces bombarded Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Despite continuous shelling through the night, American defenders held their position and refused to surrender. Francis Scott Key, detained aboard a British ship, witnessed the bombardment and the sight of the American flag still flying at dawn. Moved by the resilience of the defenders, he penned the poem "Defence of Fort McHenry." The verses were later set to the tune of an English song, becoming known as "The Star-Spangled Banner." In 1931, it was officially adopted as the national anthem of the United States. The battle marked a turning point in the war and remains a symbol of American determination.
1814 Baltimore Francis Scott Key the United States' national anthem
1843day.year

The Greek Army rebels (OS date: September 3) against the autocratic rule of king Otto of Greece, demanding the granting of a constitution.

Greek soldiers rebel against King Otto’s autocratic rule in 1843, demanding a constitution.
On September 3 (Old Style) or September 13 (New Style) 1843, elements of the Greek Army stationed in Athens rose up under Colonel Dimitrios Kallergis to challenge King Otto’s absolute monarchy. The rebel troops marched to the royal palace, demanding that Otto grant a constitution and convene a representative assembly. Facing popular support and the threat of further insurrection, King Otto relented and agreed to the demands. He appointed a government that drafted Greece’s first constitution, ushering in a new era of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary governance. The uprising reflected broader European movements for liberal reforms during the 19th century. The events paved the way for modern Greek democracy and are commemorated annually as Constitution Day in Greece.
1843 rebels OS date Otto of Greece
1847day.year

Mexican–American War: Six teenage military cadets known as Niños Héroes die defending Chapultepec Castle in the Battle of Chapultepec. American troops under General Winfield Scott capture Mexico City in the Mexican–American War.

Six teenage cadets, the Niños Héroes, die defending Chapultepec Castle as American forces capture Mexico City in 1847.
On September 13, 1847, during the climactic Battle of Chapultepec in the Mexican–American War, six young cadets from Mexico’s military academy—later known as the Niños Héroes—fought to the death defending the walls of Chapultepec Castle. Despite fierce resistance, American forces under General Winfield Scott breached the castle defenses and advanced on Mexico City. The cadets’ valiant stand, including the youngest cadet Juan de la Barrera aged just 13, became a powerful symbol of Mexican bravery and sacrifice. Following the fall of Chapultepec, U.S. troops entered and occupied Mexico City, effectively ending major combat operations. The story of the Niños Héroes was later immortalized in Mexican national memory and memorialized with a monument in Chapultepec Park. Their legacy continues to inspire patriotism and honor in Mexico.
1847 Mexican–American War cadets Niños Héroes Chapultepec Castle Battle of Chapultepec Winfield Scott
1862day.year

American Civil War: Union soldiers find a copy of Robert E. Lee's battle plans in a field outside Frederick, Maryland. It is the prelude to the Battle of Antietam.

Union soldiers uncover Confederate General Robert E. Lee's battle plans near Frederick, Maryland, in a discovery that shapes the upcoming Battle of Antietam.
On September 13, 1862, Union troops under Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan discovered a copy of Robert E. Lee’s Special Order 191 in a field outside Frederick, Maryland. Known as the 'Lost Order', this document detailed Confederate troop movements and strategic plans for the Maryland Campaign. The find provided Union command with invaluable intelligence on Lee's operations. It directly influenced McClellan's decision to engage the Confederate Army at Antietam on September 17, 1862. The battle would become the bloodiest single day in American history. Historians debate how effectively the Union used this advantage, but the discovery remains one of the war's most dramatic intelligence coups.
1862 American Civil War Union Robert E. Lee battle plans Frederick, Maryland Battle of Antietam