1066day.year
William the Conqueror and his army set sail from the mouth of the Somme river, beginning the Norman conquest of England.
William the Conqueror set sail from the Somme in 1066, launching the Norman conquest of England.
In 1066, Duke William of Normandy assembled a large invasion force on the coast of Northern France.
He departed from the mouth of the Somme river on 27 September, braving the English Channel with thousands of soldiers, knights, and horses.
William claimed the English throne after the death of Edward the Confessor and prepared to challenge King Harold II.
The fleet navigated dangerous waters and stood as a testament to Norman maritime skill and ambition.
This daring crossing set the stage for the Battle of Hastings and the eventual Norman rule over England.
1066
William the Conqueror
Norman conquest of England
1331day.year
The Battle of Płowce is fought, between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. The Poles are defeated but their leaders escape capture.
The Battle of Płowce in 1331 saw Polish forces clash with the Teutonic Order, resulting in a hard-fought encounter.
In 1331, near the village of Płowce in Kuyavia, the Kingdom of Poland confronted the Teutonic Order in a fierce battle.
Although the Polish army was ultimately forced to retreat, its leadership escaped capture, preserving key military figures.
The clash reflected ongoing territorial disputes and power struggles between Poland and the crusading knights.
Despite the Polish defeat, the engagement demonstrated Poland’s resilience and tactical skill on the battlefield.
The battle influenced subsequent negotiations and the strategic landscape of medieval Eastern Europe.
1331
Battle of Płowce
1529day.year
The Siege of Vienna begins when Suleiman I attacks the city.
In 1529, Suleiman the Magnificent launched the first Siege of Vienna, testing the limits of Ottoman expansion into Europe.
On 27 September 1529, Sultan Suleiman I led Ottoman forces to the walls of Vienna, aiming to extend the empire’s reach into Central Europe.
The siege represented the pinnacle of Ottoman military campaigns in the West and a direct threat to the Habsburg dynasty.
Vienna’s fortifications and the resilience of its defenders slowed the Ottoman advance despite overwhelming numbers.
Protracted engagements around the city’s outer walls and supply lines defined the months-long struggle.
Though ultimately unsuccessful, this siege highlighted the strategic importance of Vienna and shaped European defenses for centuries.
1529
Siege of Vienna
1605day.year
The armies of Sweden are defeated by the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in the Battle of Kircholm.
In 1605, Polish-Lithuanian forces achieved a decisive victory over Sweden at the Battle of Kircholm.
On 27 September 1605, near the village of Kircholm (present-day Salaspils, Latvia), the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth faced a Swedish invasion force.
Under Hetman Jan Karol Chodkiewicz, the Commonwealth’s cavalry executed a stunning flanking maneuver against the Swedes.
Despite being outnumbered, the Commonwealth troops routed the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties.
This battle is celebrated for the Commonwealth’s legendary winged hussars and their battlefield prowess.
The victory at Kircholm shifted the balance during the Polish-Swedish wars and secured regional influence for years.
1605
Battle of Kircholm
1669day.year
The Venetians surrender the fortress of Candia to the Ottomans, thus ending the 21-year-long Siege of Candia.
The 21-year Siege of Candia ended in 1669 with Venice surrendering the fortress to the Ottoman Empire.
On 27 September 1669, Venetian commanders capitulated to Ottoman forces in Candia (modern Heraklion) after a protracted 21-year siege.
This siege was one of the longest in history, with devastating losses on both sides and fierce combat around Candia’s walls.
Venice’s naval power had maintained supply lines, but the Ottomans’ persistence and resources prevailed.
The fall of Candia marked a significant Ottoman victory and shifted control of Crete to the empire.
The siege’s legacy influenced European military engineering and the island’s cultural landscape.
1669
Siege of Candia
1821day.year
The Army of the Three Guarantees triumphantly enters Mexico City, led by Agustín de Iturbide. The following day Mexico is declared independent.
Agustín de Iturbide’s Army of the Three Guarantees entered Mexico City on 27 September 1821, securing independence.
After years of struggle against Spanish rule, the Army of the Three Guarantees marched into Mexico City on 27 September 1821 under Agustín de Iturbide.
This triumphant entry signified the end of the Mexican War of Independence and the collapse of colonial authority.
Iturbide’s Plan of Iguala had united royalist and insurgent forces under the promise of independence, religion, and unity.
The following day, New Spain officially became the independent Empire of Mexico.
This momentous event reshaped the political map of the Americas and inspired further independence movements in Latin America.
1821
Army of the Three Guarantees
Mexico City
Agustín de Iturbide
1940day.year
World War II: The Tripartite Pact is signed in Berlin by Germany, Japan and Italy.
The Tripartite Pact was signed in Berlin, formally allying Germany, Japan, and Italy in World War II.
Signed in Berlin on 27 September 1940, the Tripartite Pact formalized the Axis alliance linking Germany, Japan, and Italy. The agreement pledged mutual assistance if any signatory was attacked by a country not already involved in the European war. Drafted by the foreign ministers of each nation, it created a powerful military coalition. Intended to deter the United States from entering the conflict, it also solidified strategic coordination among the three powers. Six additional countries later acceded, expanding the pact’s scope. Its signing marked a significant escalation in the global conflict and cemented the Axis partnership.
1940
World War II
Tripartite Pact
1941day.year
World War II: The Greek National Liberation Front is established with Georgios Siantos as acting leader.
The National Liberation Front (EAM) was established in occupied Greece under Georgios Siantos, uniting resistance groups against Axis forces.
On 27 September 1941, the National Liberation Front (EAM) was founded in Athens to coordinate Greek resistance against Axis occupation. Under the acting leadership of Georgios Siantos, EAM brought together leftist, liberal, and nationalist factions under one umbrella. It quickly became the most influential resistance organization, establishing guerrilla units and local governance in liberated areas. Its military arm, ELAS, carried out sabotage operations and engaged occupying forces in the countryside. EAM also provided social services and education to civilians, bolstering support for the movement. The organization’s formation laid the groundwork for Greece’s post-war political landscape.
1941
Georgios Siantos
1942day.year
World War II: Last day of the Matanikau action on Guadalcanal as United States Marines barely escape after being surrounded by Japanese forces.
U.S. Marines concluded the final phase of the Matanikau action on Guadalcanal, narrowly escaping encirclement by Japanese forces.
On 27 September 1942, U.S. Marine forces completed the last engagements along the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal’s western flank. Facing encirclement by determined Japanese defenders, the Marines endured heavy fire and difficult jungle terrain. In a daring nighttime breakout, they fought through enemy lines to reach friendly positions. Despite significant casualties, the withdrawal preserved the core of the Marine units. This action showcased the resilience and combat prowess of U.S. forces in the Pacific theater. The Matanikau engagements were a critical part of the larger Guadalcanal campaign, turning the tide in favor of the Allies.
1942
Matanikau action
1944day.year
World War II: The Kassel Mission results in the largest loss by a USAAF group on any mission during the war.
The Kassel Mission ended with the heaviest single-group loss for the USAAF in World War II.
On 27 September 1944, the USAAF’s 3rd Bombardment Wing embarked on a deep-penetration raid targeting the Fieseler aircraft works in Kassel, Germany. Poor weather conditions obscured visual markers, leading to navigational errors and separation from fighter escorts. Intense anti-aircraft fire and Luftwaffe attacks inflicted severe damage, destroying nineteen of the thirty-two B-24 Liberators dispatched. This represented the highest proportional loss by a single USAAF group in one mission during the conflict. Survivors returned to base depleted, prompting a reevaluation of escort tactics and mission planning. The mission underscored the hazards of unescorted strategic bombing deep in enemy territory.
1944
Kassel Mission
1993day.year
The Sukhumi massacre takes place in Abkhazia.
Ethnic violence in Sukhumi, Abkhazia, culminates in a massacre amid the Georgian–Abkhaz conflict.
On September 27, 1993, Abkhaz separatist forces and allied militia launched a brutal assault on the city of Sukhumi.
In the ensuing chaos, hundreds of ethnic Georgian civilians were killed or forcibly displaced.
The massacre marked a turning point in the Georgian–Abkhaz war, solidifying Abkhaz control over the region.
Widespread atrocities and ethnic cleansing led to mass refugee flows to Georgia proper.
International observers condemned the violence, but peace negotiations failed to end the hostilities.
The legacy of the Sukhumi massacre continues to shape tensions in the South Caucasus.
1993
Sukhumi massacre
1996day.year
The Battle of Kabul ends in a Taliban victory; an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is established.
Taliban forces capture Kabul, ending the Battle of Kabul and establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
On September 27, 1996, the Taliban seized control of Kabul after weeks of intense fighting against rival militias.
The fall of the city marked the end of the Battle of Kabul, which began in mid-1992.
President Burhanuddin Rabbani and other leaders fled, allowing the Taliban to proclaim the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Under Mullah Omar's hardline rule, strict Sharia law was enforced across the country.
The new regime closed schools for girls and imposed severe restrictions on media and personal freedoms.
The Taliban's rise to power led to international isolation and laid the groundwork for future conflicts.
1996
Battle of Kabul
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan