715day.year
Ragenfrid defeats Theudoald at the Battle of Compiègne.
Ragenfrid defeats Theudoald at the Battle of Compiègne, shifting power in the Frankish realms.
In 715, Frankish mayor of the palace Ragenfrid led his forces to victory over Theudoald at Compiègne.
This battle marked a significant challenge to the Angevins' control following the death of King Dagobert III.
Ragenfrid’s triumph weakened the Arnulfing faction and bolstered his influence under the Merovingian monarchy.
The conflict foreshadowed the rise of the Carolingian family, who would soon dominate Frankish politics.
Although details are scarce, the battle exemplified the power struggles that shaped early medieval Europe.
715
Battle of Compiègne
1345day.year
Friso-Hollandic Wars: Frisians defeat Holland in the Battle of Warns.
Frisian forces defeat the Count of Holland’s army at the Battle of Warns during the Friso-Hollandic Wars.
On September 26, 1345, Frisian militias routed a Holland army on the frozen waters near Warns in present-day Netherlands.
Count William IV of Holland led his troops across ice to confront the Frisians but underestimated local conditions.
The icy terrain broke under the soldiers’ weight, causing chaos, drownings, and a decisive Frisian victory.
The battle halted Holland’s expansion into Frisian territories and preserved regional independence for decades.
It remains celebrated in Frisian memory as a symbol of local resilience against external domination.
1345
Battle of Warns
1371day.year
Serbian–Turkish wars: Ottoman Turks fought against a Serbian army at the Battle of Maritsa.
In the Battle of Maritsa, Ottoman forces defeat a Serbian army, advancing their power in the Balkans.
On September 26, 1371, Ottoman forces ambushed a Serbian army near the Maritsa River in modern-day Bulgaria.
The Serbian lords were caught off guard in a night attack, leading to heavy casualties and collapse of their defense.
The victory secured Ottoman dominance over much of the western Balkans and subdued the Serbian Empire’s influence.
This battle marked a turning point that accelerated Ottoman expansion into Southeastern Europe.
The defeat weakened Balkan resistance and paved the way for future Ottoman conquests in the region.
1371
Battle of Maritsa
1423day.year
Hundred Years' War: A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière.
A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière during the Hundred Years’ War.
In September 1423, French forces led by commanders La Trémoille and Dunois intercepted an English raiding party at La Brossinière.
Utilizing local intelligence and maneuver warfare, the French ambushed the English troops near Mayenne.
The rout inflicted heavy losses on the English and disrupted their operations in northwest France.
This victory boosted French morale and demonstrated the effectiveness of regional militias against protracted English campaigns.
Although minor compared to larger engagements, La Brossinière exemplified shifting momentum in the later stages of the war.
1423
Hundred Years' War
Battle of La Brossinière
1687day.year
Morean War: The Parthenon in Athens, used as a gunpowder depot by the Ottoman garrison, is partially destroyed after being bombarded during the Siege of the Acropolis by Venetian forces.
Venetian bombardment during the Morean War partially destroys the Parthenon in Athens.
During the Siege of the Acropolis in 1687, Venetian artillery struck the Ottoman-held Parthenon.
The Ottomans had stored gunpowder within the ancient temple, which exploded under bombardment.
The blast devastated the central naos and shattered its columns and sculptures beyond repair.
Once a symbol of classical Greek architecture, the Parthenon’s ruin highlighted the vulnerability of cultural heritage in warfare.
This event initiated centuries of ruin and debate over restoration, preserving its memory as a world monument.
1687
Morean War
Parthenon
Ottoman
Siege of the Acropolis
Venetian
1777day.year
American Revolution: British troops occupy Philadelphia.
British forces captured Philadelphia, the American capital, in a bold move during the Revolutionary War.
In 1777, British General William Howe led his troops into Philadelphia, the seat of the Continental Congress, following victory at the Battle of Brandywine. The occupation marked one of the British Army's most significant achievements in the American Revolution, aiming to disrupt the rebel government. Although the British held the city for several months, American forces continued to resist through guerrilla tactics and strategic relocations. The Continental Congress retreated to York, Pennsylvania, where it sustained its efforts under challenging conditions. Supply shortages, disease, and persistent skirmishes strained British resources and morale. The campaign ultimately failed to suppress the colonial uprising, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of the American cause. The occupation of Philadelphia remains a vivid example of the ebb and flow of power during the war.
1777
occupy
1799day.year
War of the 2nd Coalition: French troops defeat Austro-Russian forces, leading to the collapse of Suvorov's campaign.
French forces routed Austro-Russian armies at Zurich, causing the collapse of Suvorov's 1799 campaign.
On September 26, 1799, during the War of the Second Coalition, French General André Masséna secured a decisive victory at the Second Battle of Zürich, forcing Austro-Russian forces to retreat in disarray. The triumph shattered the allied front and undermined the campaign led by Russian General Alexander Suvorov. Suvorov's separate advance across the Alps was left exposed and without support, leading to its rapid collapse. This battle demonstrated the skillful use of defensive fortifications and coordinated counterattacks by the French. The Coalition's failure at Zürich shifted the balance of power in northern Italy and strengthened France's negotiating position. Although Suvorov remained a revered military leader, the defeat marked a crucial turning point in the coalition's fortunes. It cleared the path for France to consolidate its territorial gains and extend its influence in Europe.
1799
War of the 2nd Coalition
defeat
1917day.year
World War I: The Battle of Polygon Wood begins.
Allied forces launch the Battle of Polygon Wood against German lines in WWI's Ypres sector.
On September 26, 1917, Allied troops commenced the Battle of Polygon Wood as part of the Third Battle of Ypres on the Western Front. British, Australian, and New Zealand divisions aimed to capture strategic ridges and disrupt German defensive positions east of Ypres. The attack was preceded by intense artillery barrages and creeping fire tactics to clear enemy trenches and barbed wire. Despite muddy terrain and well-entrenched German forces, the Allies secured initial gains in the wooded battlefield. The engagement underscored the importance of combined arms coordination, with infantry, artillery, and engineers working in concert. However, heavy casualties and logistical difficulties limited the scope of further advances. Memories of the battle endure in the ANZAC memorial at Polygon Wood, honoring those who fought and fell there. The fighting continued into early October, exemplifying the brutal nature of trench warfare.
1917
World War I
Battle of Polygon Wood
1918day.year
World War I: The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began which would last until the total surrender of German forces.
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive kicks off as American forces join a major Allied push in WWI.
On September 26, 1918, the American Expeditionary Forces under General John J. Pershing launched the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, marking the largest operation by U.S. troops in World War I. The offensive aimed to breach the German Hindenburg Line in northeastern France and hasten the end of the war. Over the following weeks, more than a million American soldiers fought through dense forests, ravines, and fortified German defenses. Supported by heavy artillery, tanks, and air reconnaissance, they slowly wore down enemy lines despite fierce resistance. The campaign became one of the bloodiest in American military history, with significant casualties on both sides. Its success played a crucial role in undermining German morale and prompted Germany to seek an armistice. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive remains a defining chapter in U.S. and Allied military legacy, showcasing the growing power of American forces on the world stage.
1918
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
1936day.year
Spanish Civil War: Lluis Companys reshuffles the Generalitat de Catalunya, with the marxist POUM and anarcho-syndicalist CNT joining the government.
During the Spanish Civil War on September 26, 1936, Catalan President Lluís Companys expanded his regional government by bringing Marxist and anarcho-syndicalist factions into the Generalitat.
As the Spanish Civil War intensified, President Lluís Companys sought to unify anti-fascist forces within Catalonia. On September 26, 1936, he reshuffled his cabinet to include the Marxist Workers' Party of Marxist Unification (POUM) and the anarcho-syndicalist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT). The alliance aimed to strengthen military coordination and civilian solidarity against Franco’s nationalist uprising. While it temporarily improved cooperation among leftist groups, ideological tensions soon resurfaced. Companys’ decision highlighted the complex politics inside the Republican camp. The brief coalition foreshadowed deeper divisions that would later weaken the Republic’s war effort.
1936
Spanish Civil War
Lluis Companys
reshuffles
Generalitat de Catalunya
marxist
POUM
anarcho-syndicalist
CNT
1942day.year
Holocaust: Senior SS official August Frank issues a memorandum detailing how Jews should be "evacuated".
On September 26, 1942, SS official August Frank circulated a memorandum outlining the process for ‘‘evacuating’’ Jews, a bureaucratic precursor to deportation and extermination.
Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler’s administration meticulously documented its genocidal policies. On September 26, Senior SS official August Frank issued a detailed memo instructing officials on the removal of Jewish property and the organization of deportations under the euphemism of ‘‘resettlement.’’ The memorandum specified how to confiscate personal belongings and ensure no valuables remained. It exemplified the cold, administrative machinery behind the Holocaust. This document later served as key evidence at the Nuremberg Trials. Frank’s memo remains a chilling reminder of the methodical approach to mass murder.
1942
Holocaust
a memorandum
1950day.year
Korean War: United Nations troops recapture Seoul from North Korean forces.
During the Korean War on September 26, 1950, United Nations forces successfully recaptured Seoul, signaling a dramatic reversal of fortunes.
After North Korean troops captured South Korea’s capital in June 1950, UN forces mounted a bold counteroffensive following the Inchon landing. On September 26, 1950, units of the US Eighth Army and South Korean troops entered Seoul, driving enemy forces out of the city. The victory restored the South Korean government’s seat and boosted Allied morale. It showcased the effectiveness of amphibious operations and coordinated international command. However, the triumph was short-lived as Chinese intervention soon escalated the conflict. Nevertheless, regaining Seoul remains one of the war’s most pivotal moments.
1950
recapture Seoul