October 29

Events - Wars & Conflicts

312day.year

Constantine the Great enters Rome after his victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, stages a grand adventus in the city, and is met with popular jubilation. Maxentius' body is fished out of the Tiber and beheaded.

Emperor Constantine enters Rome in triumph after defeating Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, greeted by popular jubilation.
On October 29, 312, Constantine the Great made his dramatic entry into Rome following his decisive victory at the Milvian Bridge. He organized a lavish adventus ceremony, an elaborate triumphal procession celebrating his newfound authority. Citizens thronged the streets to welcome the emperor, hailing him as the restorer of peace. The body of his rival Maxentius was dragged from the Tiber and publicly executed, symbolizing the end of a bitter power struggle. This event marked a turning point in Constantine’s path to sole rulership of the Roman Empire. It also foreshadowed his later embrace of Christianity and the eventual transformation of Rome’s religious landscape.
312 Constantine the Great Battle of the Milvian Bridge adventus Maxentius Tiber
1467day.year

Battle of Brustem: Charles the Bold defeats Prince-Bishopric of Liège.

Duke Charles the Bold defeats the Prince-Bishopric of Liège at the Battle of Brustem in 1467, expanding Burgundian influence.
The Battle of Brustem took place during the Liège Wars, as Charles the Bold of Burgundy sought to assert his authority over the rebellious Prince-Bishopric of Liège. On October 29, 1467, Burgundian forces crushed the local militia on the fields near Brustem. The victory allowed Charles to impose harsh terms and strengthen his grip on the Low Countries. It underscored the military prowess of Burgundy and the limits of ecclesiastical princes to resist ducal power. The battle contributed to the gradual consolidation of Burgundian territories, setting the stage for future conflicts in the region.
1467 Battle of Brustem Charles the Bold Prince-Bishopric of Liège
1658day.year

Second Northern War: Naval forces of the Dutch Republic defeat the Swedes in the Battle of the Sound.

Dutch naval forces defeat the Swedish fleet in the Battle of the Sound during the Second Northern War in 1658.
The Battle of the Sound occurred on October 29, 1658, as part of the Second Northern War between Sweden and a coalition including Denmark-Norway and the Dutch Republic. The Dutch fleet intervened to break the Swedish blockade of Copenhagen and secure vital grain shipments through the Øresund strait. Superior tactics and firepower allowed the Dutch to rout the Swedish ships and force them to withdraw. The victory ensured relief for the besieged Danish capital and safeguarded Dutch commercial interests in the Baltic. It demonstrated the Republic’s naval prowess and commitment to maintaining the balance of power in Northern Europe.
1658 Second Northern War Dutch Republic Battle of the Sound
1665day.year

Portuguese forces defeat the Kingdom of Kongo and decapitate King António I of Kongo, also known as Nvita a Nkanga.

Portuguese forces rout the Kingdom of Kongo at the Battle of Mbwila in 1665, leading to the death of King António I.
In 1665, Portuguese colonial troops clashed with the Kingdom of Kongo’s army at Mbwila, resulting in a decisive Portuguese victory. The conflict arose from competition over trade routes and regional influence in Central Africa. King António I of Kongo personally led his forces into battle but was killed and decapitated, dealing a severe blow to Kongolese sovereignty. The defeat fractured the kingdom and ushered in a period of internal strife and Portuguese dominance. This battle marked a turning point in the Atlantic slave trade, as Portugal tightened its control over local polities and trade networks.
1665 defeat Kingdom of Kongo António I of Kongo
1863day.year

American Civil War: Battle of Wauhatchie: Forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant repel a Confederate attack led by General James Longstreet in one of the few night battles of the war, protecting the Union's recently opened supply line into Chattanooga, Tennessee.

During the American Civil War, Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant repelled a Confederate night assault at Wauhatchie, securing a vital supply line into Chattanooga.
The Battle of Wauhatchie was fought on October 29-30, 1863, near Knoxville, Tennessee. Union troops under Ulysses S. Grant faced a Confederate night attack led by General James Longstreet. This rare night engagement tested soldiers' discipline amid confusion and limited visibility. Grant's forces held firm, protecting the Cracker Line, a newly opened supply route into Chattanooga. Securing this lifeline ensured the Union army's survival and set the stage for the Chattanooga campaign.
American Civil War Battle of Wauhatchie Union Ulysses S. Grant Confederate James Longstreet supply line Chattanooga, Tennessee
1914day.year

Ottoman entry into World War I.

On October 29, 1914, the Ottoman Empire formally entered World War I, joining the Central Powers and opening new fronts in the Middle East.
Facing threats from the Allied Powers and seeking to secure its territory, the Ottoman Empire declared war on the Entente on October 29, 1914. By aligning with Germany and Austria-Hungary, it brought new battlefields to the Middle East, including Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, and Palestine. Allied operations aimed to seize the Dardanelles and support Russia were directly impacted by Ottoman resistance. The empire's wartime participation reshaped regional geopolitics and hastened internal reforms. Ultimately, World War I led to the dismantling of the Ottoman state and the emergence of modern nations in its former provinces.
1914 Ottoman entry into World War I
1918day.year

The German High Seas Fleet is incapacitated when sailors mutiny, an action which would trigger the German Revolution of 1918–19.

In late October 1918, sailors of the German High Seas Fleet mutinied in Wilhelmshaven, crippling the navy and igniting the German Revolution.
Disillusioned by Germany's impending defeat and harsh naval conditions, sailors began refusing orders in late October 1918. The mutiny at Wilhelmshaven quickly spread to other naval bases, rendering the High Seas Fleet inoperable. Their collective rebellion challenged military authority and inspired strikes and uprisings across Germany. This unrest culminated in the November Revolution, leading to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The mutiny's political fallout paved the way for the Weimar Republic and a new democratic constitution.
1918 German High Seas Fleet mutiny German Revolution of 1918–19
1941day.year

The Holocaust: In the Kaunas Ghetto, over 10,000 Jews are shot by German occupiers at the Ninth Fort, a massacre known as the "Great Action".

In the Kaunas Ghetto on October 29, 1941, over 10,000 Jews were massacred by Nazi occupiers at the Ninth Fort in an atrocity known as the 'Great Action'.
On October 29, 1941, German forces executed one of the largest single-day mass shootings at the Ninth Fort near Kaunas (Kovno), Lithuania. More than 10,000 Jewish men, women, and children were transported from the ghetto and shot in mass graves. The operation, dubbed the 'Great Action' by the Nazis, was part of the systematic genocide known as the Holocaust. This atrocity exemplified the brutal efficiency of Nazi extermination policies in Eastern Europe. Survivor testimonies and forced confessions later documented the scale and horror of the massacre, ensuring its historical record.
1941 The Holocaust Kaunas Ghetto over 10,000 Jews are shot German Ninth Fort
1944day.year

The Dutch city of Breda is liberated by 1st Polish Armoured Division.

The 1st Polish Armoured Division liberates the Dutch city of Breda from German forces during World War II.
On October 29, 1944, the 1st Polish Armoured Division launched an attack on the German garrison in Breda. Commanded by General Stanisław Maczek, the division executed a surprise evening assault that overwhelmed the defenders. The liberation was part of Operation Pheasant, aimed at clearing the Scheldt estuary of German forces. Civilians greeted the Polish soldiers as liberators, celebrating in the streets after five years of occupation. The operation showcased the skill and determination of Polish forces fighting alongside the Allies. Breda's liberation served as a morale boost for the Allied advance into the Netherlands.
1944 Breda 1st Polish Armoured Division
1944day.year

World War II: The Soviet Red Army enters Hungary.

Soviet Red Army forces cross the Hungarian border, opening a major front in the final European campaign of World War II.
On October 29, 1944, elements of the Soviet Red Army advanced into northeastern Hungary. This move marked the beginning of a sustained Soviet offensive aimed at cutting off retreating German forces. The incursion led to fierce battles around Debrecen and other strategic cities. Hungary's position as a German ally made it a primary target for the Red Army's push toward Vienna and Budapest. The Soviet advance accelerated the collapse of Axis resistance in Central Europe. By early 1945, Hungary would be fully occupied and undergo significant political transformation under Soviet influence.
World War II Red Army
1948day.year

Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Safsaf massacre: Israeli soldiers capture the Palestinian village of Safsaf in the Galilee; afterwards, between 52 and 64 villagers are massacred by the IDF.

During the 1948 Arab–Israeli conflict, Israeli forces capture Safsaf in the Galilee, resulting in a massacre of Palestinian villagers.
On October 29, 1948, as part of Operation Hiram, Israeli troops entered the village of Safsaf in the Upper Galilee. Following the capture, members of the Israel Defense Forces rounded up civilians and allegedly executed between 52 and 64 villagers. Eyewitness accounts describe a sudden and brutal assault that targeted non-combatants, including women and children. The incident deepened the refugee crisis unfolding across the region after the declaration of the State of Israel. The Safsaf massacre remains a contentious episode in the history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Survivors and historians continue to investigate the events and seek recognition and remembrance for the victims.
1948 Israeli-Palestinian conflict Safsaf massacre Safsaf Galilee
1956day.year

Suez Crisis begins: Israeli forces invade the Sinai Peninsula and push Egyptian forces back toward the Suez Canal.

Israeli forces invade the Sinai Peninsula, initiating the Suez Crisis alongside British and French objectives to secure the Suez Canal.
On October 29, 1956, Israeli troops launched a ground invasion into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The assault was coordinated with Britain and France in response to Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser's nationalization of the Suez Canal. Israel rapidly advanced toward the canal, pushing Egyptian forces back and capturing key passes. The operation aimed to eliminate fedayeen bases and restore Western control over the vital waterway. International pressure, particularly from the United States and Soviet Union, led to a United Nations-mandated ceasefire in early November. The crisis reshaped Middle Eastern geopolitics and marked the decline of British and French influence in the region.
1956 Suez Crisis Israeli Sinai Peninsula Egyptian Suez Canal