AD 69day.year
In the Second Battle of Bedriacum, troops loyal to Vespasian defeat those of Emperor Vitellius.
Troops loyal to Vespasian defeat Emperor Vitellius’s forces at the Second Battle of Bedriacum, shifting power in Rome’s civil war of AD 69.
The Second Battle of Bedriacum was a decisive clash during the Year of the Four Emperors. After Nero’s death, Rome plunged into civil war as multiple generals vied for the throne. Vespasian secured support from eastern legions and marched to confront Vitellius’s forces near modern Cremona. Fierce fighting ended in the rout of Vitellius’s army and confirmed Vespasian’s claim. The victory allowed him to capture Rome, founding the Flavian dynasty and restoring order. This battle demonstrated the critical role of military loyalty and strategic leadership in imperial succession.
AD 69
Second Battle of Bedriacum
Vespasian
Vitellius
1260day.year
After defeating the Mongols at the Battle of Ain Jalut and assassinating the previous Mamluk sultan, Qutuz, Baybars ascends to the Egyptian throne as the fourth sultan of the Mamluk Sultanate.
Following victory over the Mongols at Ain Jalut, Baybars seizes power as the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt in 1260.
In the aftermath of the Mamluk triumph at Ain Jalut, Sultan Qutuz was assassinated by conspirators including Baybars. On October 24, 1260, Baybars swiftly consolidated power and claimed the sultanate. His accession marked the start of a century-long Mamluk dynasty defending Egypt and Syria from Mongol and Crusader threats. Baybars reorganized the military and administration, fortifying frontier defenses and sponsoring grand architectural projects. He negotiated truces with Crusader states while expanding his territories through strategic campaigns. Baybars’ reign brought political stability and a cultural renaissance to the Islamic world. His legacy endures in landmarks such as the Qalawun Complex in Cairo.
Mongols
Battle of Ain Jalut
Qutuz
Baybars
Mamluk Sultanate
1360day.year
The Treaty of Brétigny is ratified, marking the end of the first phase of the Hundred Years' War.
The Treaty of Brétigny is ratified in 1360, pausing the Hundred Years' War and ceding territories to England.
Formally ratified on October 24, 1360, the Treaty of Brétigny temporarily halted hostilities in the first phase of the Hundred Years' War. Under its terms, King Edward III renounced his claim to the French throne in exchange for expanded sovereignty over Aquitaine and other regions. France agreed to pay a large ransom for the release of King John II, captured at Poitiers in 1356. The treaty sought a lasting peace, though contentious border definitions soon reignited conflict. It shifted power balances in medieval Europe and influenced diplomatic practices. Despite its short-lived peace, Brétigny set precedents for treaty negotiations and territorial concessions. Historians view it as a pivotal episode in Anglo-French relations.
1360
Treaty of Brétigny
1596day.year
The second Spanish armada sets sail to strike against England, but is smashed by storms off Cape Finisterre forcing a retreat to port.
The second Spanish Armada sets sail in 1596 to attack England but is scattered by storms off Cape Finisterre.
Commissioned by King Philip II of Spain as retaliation for English privateering, the second Spanish Armada departed in October 1596 with hopes of striking England. Diseased crews and miscalculated logistics had already weakened the fleet before it encountered severe Atlantic storms near Cape Finisterre. Ferocious waves and high winds scattered the ships, forcing many to limp back to Spain for repairs. The failure underscored Spain’s declining naval supremacy and the unpredictable dangers of maritime warfare. English observers celebrated the armada’s misfortune as a sign of divine favor. Despite the setback, Spain would launch further armadas in the years to come. The 1596 expedition remained a cautionary tale of ambition undone by nature’s fury.
1596
second Spanish armada
Cape Finisterre
1641day.year
Felim O'Neill of Kinard, the leader of the Irish Rebellion, issues his Proclamation of Dungannon, justifying the uprising and declaring continued loyalty to King Charles I of England.
Felim O'Neill proclaims loyalty to King Charles I and justifies the Irish Rebellion in the 1641 Proclamation of Dungannon.
Amid rising tensions and land disputes, Felim O'Neill issued the Proclamation of Dungannon on October 24, 1641, to rally Gaelic and Old English Catholics in Ireland. While defending the rebellion’s motives, he professed unwavering loyalty to King Charles I in hopes of securing royal support. The proclamation accused Protestant settlers and English officials of oppression, seizing land and undermining traditional rights. Though intended to legitimize the uprising, it heightened fears of a Catholic takeover among the Protestant community. The document marked a critical moment in the Irish Rebellion of 1641, which soon escalated into widespread violence. Its political maneuvering and ambiguous promises foreshadowed decades of sectarian conflict. Historians view this proclamation as a key articulation of Irish resistance and colonial grievances.
1641
Felim O'Neill of Kinard
Irish Rebellion
Proclamation of Dungannon
Charles I of England
1648day.year
The Peace of Westphalia is signed, marking the end of the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War.
The Peace of Westphalia is signed in 1648, ending both the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War in Europe.
On October 24, 1648, representatives from major European powers signed the Peace of Westphalia treaties in Münster and Osnabrück. These agreements concluded decades of religious and political warfare by recognizing the sovereignty of over 300 German principalities. Spain also acknowledged the independence of the Dutch Republic, ending the Eighty Years' War. The treaties established principles of non-interference and legal equality among states, laying foundations for modern international law. Religious provisions granted rulers the right to determine their territory’s confession, while minority protections were introduced. Though imperfect, Westphalia reshaped the map of Europe and stabilized relations after years of devastation. The Peace of Westphalia is often cited as the birth of the nation-state system.
1648
Peace of Westphalia
1812day.year
Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Maloyaroslavets takes place near Moscow.
During Napoleon's Russian campaign in 1812, the Battle of Maloyaroslavets halts the French advance near Moscow.
On October 24, 1812, Marshal Napoleon Bonaparte led his Grande Armee into a fierce engagement at Maloyaroslavets, south of Moscow. The battle aimed to secure a southern retreat route for the French forces but evolved into brutal urban combat. Russian troops under General Mikhail Kutuzov and local militia tenaciously defended the town. Although the French briefly held Maloyaroslavets, heavy losses convinced Napoleon to abandon plans for a southern withdrawal. Instead, he retreated along the devastated Smolensk road, deepening the army’s supply crisis. This decision marked a turning point in the campaign, leading to catastrophic losses during the winter retreat. The battle highlighted the Russian willingness to trade territory for strategic advantage and foreshadowed Napoleon’s downfall in Russia.
1812
Battle of Maloyaroslavets
1876day.year
Shinpūren rebellion: Upset at the Westernisation of Meiji Japan and the abolition of the Tokugawa feudal hierarchy, the Keishintō, a group of extremist Shinto former samurai, launch a surprise attack against the Meiji government in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Former samurai launch a Shinto-inspired rebellion against the Meiji government to protest Westernization and the loss of feudal traditions.
The Shinpūren rebellion erupts when the Keishintō storm government offices in Kumamoto, seeking to restore samurai privileges and Shinto values. Armed with traditional weapons, rebels are quickly overwhelmed by modern conscripted troops and Western firearms. The revolt is suppressed within days, resulting in heavy casualties among the insurgents. It exemplifies the cultural and social tensions of the Meiji Restoration. The uprising reinforces the government’s commitment to rapid modernization and military reform.
1876
Shinpūren rebellion
Meiji Japan
Tokugawa feudal hierarchy
Shinto
former samurai
Kumamoto Prefecture
1894day.year
First Sino-Japanese War: Battle of Jiuliancheng: Under the command of General Yamagata Aritomo, the Imperial Japanese Army covertly crosses the Yalu River into Qing territory and launches an assault on the fortifications at Hushan.
Japanese forces launch a surprise attack across the Yalu River and capture the Hushan fortifications in the First Sino-Japanese War.
General Yamagata Aritomo leads Japanese troops in a night crossing of the Yalu River, catching the Qing defenses at Hushan off guard. The swift assault secures a strategic foothold on Korean territory and demoralizes the Chinese army. The victory at Jiuliancheng underscores Japan’s modernized military strength. It paves the way for further advances into Manchuria. The battle marks a turning point in the war and foreshadows Japan’s rise as a regional power.
1894
First Sino-Japanese War
Battle of Jiuliancheng
Yamagata Aritomo
Imperial Japanese Army
Yalu River
Qing
Hushan
1912day.year
First Balkan War: The Battle of Kirk Kilisse concludes with a Bulgarian victory against the Ottoman Empire.
The Battle of Kirk Kilisse ends with a decisive Bulgarian victory over Ottoman forces during the First Balkan War.
On October 24, 1912, Bulgarian troops secured a significant victory at Kirk Kilisse (modern-day Kırklareli) against the Ottoman Empire. The battle showcased Bulgaria’s improved military tactics and rapid mobilization. Ottoman defenses were outflanked, leading to a retreat and heavy losses on their side. This success bolstered Balkan League morale and paved the way for further advances into Thrace. International observers noted the shifting balance of power in the region. The outcome of Kirk Kilisse influenced subsequent peace negotiations and territorial divisions at the war’s end.
1912
First Balkan War
Battle of Kirk Kilisse
1912day.year
First Balkan War: The Battle of Kumanovo concludes with the Serbian victory against the Ottoman Empire.
The Battle of Kumanovo concludes with a Serbian triumph over Ottoman forces in the First Balkan War.
On October 24, 1912, Serbian armies achieved a major victory at the Battle of Kumanovo, decisively defeating the Ottoman troops in present-day North Macedonia. Serbian forces utilized superior artillery coordination and infantry tactics to break Ottoman lines. The win opened the path for Serbian advances into the Balkans and weakened Ottoman control in the region. Casualties were heavy on both sides, but the strategic gain was clear for Serbia. The battle’s success strengthened the Balkan League’s negotiating position. It also reshaped the map of Southeast Europe in the aftermath of the war.
Battle of Kumanovo
1917day.year
World War I: Italy suffers a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Caporetto on the Austro-Italian front.
Italy endures a severe defeat at the Battle of Caporetto during World War I, marking a major setback on the Austro-Italian front.
On October 24, 1917, Austro-Hungarian and German forces launched a surprise offensive at Caporetto (now Kobarid, Slovenia), overwhelming Italian defenses. The assault featured infiltration tactics and heavy artillery barrages that routed Italian troops. Italian casualties numbered in the tens of thousands, with many soldiers captured or forced into retreat. The defeat shook Italian national morale and prompted urgent appeals for Allied support. The ensuing crisis led to command changes and reinforced Allied coordination on the Italian front. Caporetto became synonymous with military disaster and spurred strategic reforms.
1917
World War I
Battle of Caporetto