351day.year
Constantius II defeats the usurper Magnentius.
Emperor Constantius II secures a decisive victory over the rebel usurper Magnentius, reinforcing his control of the empire.
In 351, Constantius II confronted the usurper Magnentius, who had seized the western provinces of the Roman Empire.
The two armies clashed at the Battle of Mursa Major near the Drava River.
Intense combat resulted in a decisive victory for Constantius’s seasoned legions.
Magnentius’s forces were shattered, and his support rapidly crumbled.
The defeat forced the usurper into retreat and effectively ended his claim to the throne.
Constantius’s triumph reaffirmed his authority and deterred future rebellions.
However, the civil war left the empire militarily weakened and financially strained.
351
defeats
365day.year
Roman usurper Procopius bribes two legions passing by Constantinople, and proclaims himself emperor.
Noble Procopius bribes two Roman legions near Constantinople and declares himself emperor in a bold usurpation.
In 365, Procopius, a cousin of Emperor Julian, plotted to seize power in the Eastern Roman Empire.
He bribed two legions stationed outside Constantinople to switch their loyalty to him.
With military backing, Procopius proclaimed himself emperor, challenging Valentinian I and his brother Valens.
His claim aimed to exploit discontent and his dynastic ties to Julian the Apostate.
Loyal imperial forces quickly mobilized to confront the rebellion.
The uprising was short-lived; Procopius was defeated, captured, and executed.
His brief usurpation highlighted the volatility of succession and military allegiance in the late empire.
365
Procopius
1066day.year
William the Conqueror lands in England, beginning the Norman conquest.
William the Conqueror’s forces land at Pevensey Bay, launching the Norman Conquest of England.
On 28 September 1066, Duke William II of Normandy’s fleet arrived off the coast of Sussex and disembarked at Pevensey Bay.
His invading army quickly fortified a defensive position against King Harold’s forces.
This strategic landing marked the opening phase of the Norman Conquest of England.
William claimed the English crown through a contested succession promise and papal endorsement.
The ensuing Battle of Hastings would decisively shift control of England to the Normans.
The conquest introduced Norman feudal structures, language, and architectural styles.
William’s victory reshaped English society and governance for centuries to come.
1066
England
Norman conquest
1106day.year
King Henry I of England defeats his brother Robert Curthose at the Battle of Tinchebray.
King Henry I defeats his brother Robert Curthose at Tinchebray, uniting Normandy and England under his rule.
On 28 September 1106, Henry I of England faced his elder brother Robert Curthose near Tinchebray in Normandy.
The brothers had long vied for control of both England and Normandy.
Henry’s well-disciplined infantry and tactical acumen overwhelmed Robert’s forces.
Robert was captured in the aftermath and imprisoned, ending his ducal ambitions.
Henry’s victory reunified Normandy with the English crown, strengthening his dynasty.
The triumph enhanced royal authority and deterred future succession disputes.
Normandy remained under English control until the loss to Philip II of France in 1204.
1106
King Henry I of England
Robert Curthose
Battle of Tinchebray
1238day.year
King James I of Aragon conquers Valencia from the Moors. Shortly thereafter, he proclaims himself king of Valencia.
King James I of Aragon captures Valencia from Moorish rule and installs himself as its first Christian monarch.
In 1238, after a prolonged siege, James I of Aragon’s forces breached Valencia’s defenses.
The city’s fall ended centuries of Islamic governance in the fertile Turia valley.
James entered Valencia in triumph and was crowned its king in a public ceremony.
He introduced Christian laws and invited settlers from Aragon and Catalonia.
Valencia quickly became a thriving Mediterranean port under his patronage.
The conquest expanded the Crown of Aragon and influenced Iberian geopolitics.
This victory marked a pivotal moment in the Reconquista and the rise of Aragonese power.
1238
James I of Aragon
king of Valencia
1322day.year
Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, defeats Frederick I of Austria in the Battle of Mühldorf.
In 1322, Louis IV claimed a decisive victory over Frederick I of Austria at the Battle of Mühldorf, solidifying his hold on the imperial crown.
The Battle of Mühldorf occurred on September 28, 1322, near Mühldorf am Inn in Bavaria. It was fought between Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and his rival, Frederick I of Austria. The clash was prompted by a dispute over the imperial crown following contested elections. Louis IV's forces secured a decisive victory, capturing Frederick and ending his challenge for the throne. This triumph reinforced Louis's position and shaped the power dynamics within the Holy Roman Empire for years to come.
1322
Battle of Mühldorf
1538day.year
Ottoman–Venetian War: The Ottoman Navy scores a decisive victory over a Holy League fleet in the Battle of Preveza.
During the Ottoman–Venetian War in 1538, the Ottoman navy delivered a crushing blow to the Holy League fleet at Preveza.
On September 28, 1538, near the Ionian coast, the Ottoman fleet under Admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa engaged a Holy League naval armada commanded by Andrea Doria. The battle ended in a resounding Ottoman victory, showcasing superior tactics and seamanship. Venetian and Spanish ships suffered heavy losses, forcing the coalition to withdraw. This success secured Ottoman dominance in the eastern Mediterranean for decades. The outcome also highlighted shifting maritime power and had lasting impacts on European naval strategies.
1538
Battle of Preveza
1781day.year
American Revolution: French and American forces backed by a French fleet begin the siege of Yorktown.
French and American forces, supported by a French fleet, began the decisive Siege of Yorktown in 1781.
On September 28, 1781, Franco-American troops under General George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau initiated the siege of British-held Yorktown, Virginia. A powerful French naval fleet under Admiral de Grasse effectively blockaded Chesapeake Bay, cutting off British naval relief. The combined armies tightened their lines around Yorktown, trapping General Cornwallis and his forces. The siege developed into a major confrontation that ultimately compelled the British surrender on October 19. This victory effectively ended major land fighting in the American Revolution and paved the way for peace negotiations. The triumph also demonstrated the critical role of international alliances in America's struggle for independence.
1781
siege of Yorktown
1868day.year
The Battle of Alcolea causes Queen Isabella II of Spain to flee to France.
The Battle of Alcolea in 1868 forced Spain's Queen Isabella II to flee into exile, triggering the Glorious Revolution.
On September 28, 1868, Spanish revolutionary forces defeated the royal army at the Battle of Alcolea near Córdoba. The loss shattered royal authority and led Queen Isabella II to seek exile in France shortly thereafter. Known as La Gloriosa or the Glorious Revolution, the uprising aimed to establish a constitutional government and end monarchical abuses. The battlefield outcome emboldened opposition leaders and prompted the formation of a provisional government. Spain entered a period of political upheaval that would include the brief reign of King Amadeo I and the First Spanish Republic. The events at Alcolea remain a pivotal chapter in Spain's journey toward democracy.
1868
Battle of Alcolea
1901day.year
Philippine–American War: Filipino guerrillas kill more than forty American soldiers while losing 28 of their own.
During the Philippine–American War, Filipino guerrillas ambush U.S. soldiers, killing over forty while suffering 28 casualties of their own.
On September 28, 1901, Filipino guerrilla fighters launched a surprise ambush against a U.S. Army detachment, killing more than forty American soldiers. The attack showcased the fierce resistance mounted by local forces against American colonial rule in the Philippines. Despite their tactical success, the guerrillas lost 28 fighters in the confrontation. The fierce encounter highlighted the brutal nature of a conflict that blended conventional warfare with guerrilla tactics. The Philippine–American War would continue until 1902, leaving a legacy of complex relations between the United States and the Philippines.
1901
Philippine–American War
kill
1918day.year
World War I: The Fifth Battle of Ypres begins.
The Fifth Battle of Ypres begins as Allied forces launch an offensive on the Western Front in World War I.
On September 28, 1918, Allied troops initiated the Fifth Battle of Ypres in Belgium, targeting the German defensive line around the strategic city of Ypres. The operation involved British, Belgian, and French units advancing under heavy artillery barrages and gas attacks. As part of the larger Hundred Days Offensive, the battle aimed to break German resistance on the Western Front. Despite challenging terrain and fortified enemy positions, the Allies captured key ridges and villages. The victory helped push German forces back toward their own borders and hastened the end of World War I. The battle is remembered for its tactical innovations and the resilience demonstrated by the attacking forces.
1918
World War I
Fifth Battle of Ypres
1939day.year
World War II: Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union agree on a division of Poland.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact's secret protocols carve up Poland between Germany and the USSR on September 28, 1939.
This dark agreement redraws Eastern Europe and marks a chilling milestone in World War II.
On September 28, 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the German-Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty, implementing secret clauses of their non-aggression pact.
Under these protocols, Poland was divided roughly along the Bug River, erasing its sovereignty.
This territorial carve-up followed the joint invasion weeks earlier and left Poland under harsh occupation.
The agreement solidified Soviet control in the east and German domination in the west.
It exemplified the duplicitous diplomacy at the heart of World War II and underscored the tragic cost for the Polish people.
The pact's consequences would echo throughout Europe for decades.
1939
World War II
agree