November 15

Events - Wars & Conflicts

655day.year

Battle of the Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria.

A pivotal battle in 655 where King Oswiu of Northumbria defeats King Penda of Mercia at the Winwaed, reshaping early English power dynamics.
In 655, the Battle of the Winwaed saw King Oswiu of Northumbria confront and defeat the pagan King Penda of Mercia near the banks of the River Winwaed. This conflict marked a turning point in the struggle for dominance among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of early medieval Britain. Penda had long resisted Christian expansion, while Oswiu sought to solidify his influence and faith. The battle’s outcome led to Mercia’s temporary submission and shifted power to Northumbria. Many historians regard this clash as pivotal in the Christianization of the region. After his victory, Oswiu convened church councils to strengthen the church’s role. Despite the victory, political tensions continued among the remaining kingdoms. The legacy of Winwaed influenced the future unification efforts in England.
655 Battle of the Winwaed Penda of Mercia Oswiu of Northumbria
1315day.year

Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy: The Schweizer Eidgenossenschaft ambushes the army of Leopold I in the Battle of Morgarten.

In 1315, Swiss Confederate forces ambush and defeat Duke Leopold I’s army at Morgarten, strengthening Swiss unity.
On November 15, 1315, the Swiss cantons achieved a remarkable victory at the Battle of Morgarten against the troops of Duke Leopold I of Austria. A small force of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden ambushed Leopold I’s heavily armored knights in the narrow mountain pass. Utilizing terrain advantage and surprise, the Confederates threw logs and stones from the slopes, routing the invaders. This triumph bolstered the confederate alliance and became a symbol of Swiss independence. It discouraged further Habsburg incursions for decades. The battle’s success fostered unity among the rural mountain communities. Chroniclers later celebrated Morgarten as the foundation of Swiss military tradition. The legacy of this surprise assault endures in Swiss national identity.
1315 Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy Eidgenossenschaft Leopold I Battle of Morgarten
1532day.year

Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire: Commanded by Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistadors under Hernando de Soto meet Incan Emperor Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca, arranging for a meeting in the city plaza the following day.

Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro meet Inca Emperor Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca in 1532, setting the stage for the conquest of the Inca Empire.
In late 1532, Francisco Pizarro’s expedition encountered the Inca Emperor Atahualpa near Cajamarca, marking the first meeting between Spaniards and the powerful Inca ruler. Hernando de Soto and other conquistadors arranged a parlay in the city’s plaza, under the guise of peaceful negotiation. Despite the cordial facade, tensions ran high as Pizarro sought to capture Atahualpa and claim the empire’s vast riches. The meeting laid groundwork for the subsequent ambush and ransom; Atahualpa was taken prisoner soon after. This event triggered the collapse of Inca political structures and accelerated Spanish colonization of South America. The encounter in Cajamarca remains a stark example of cultural clash and conquest. It symbolizes the beginning of the end for one of the New World’s greatest empires.
1532 Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire Francisco Pizarro conquistadors Hernando de Soto Incan Emperor Atahualpa Cajamarca city plaza the following day
1533day.year

Francisco Pizarro arrives in Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire.

In 1533, Francisco Pizarro reaches Cuzco, the heart of the Inca Empire, following the capture of Atahualpa, signaling a seismic shift in Andean history.
After securing control of Atahualpa, Pizarro and his forces advanced to Cuzco, arriving on November 15, 1533. The Spanish entered the city, finding it largely deserted as the Inca nobility had fled. They claimed the Incan capital, looting treasures and dismantling its political structures. Pizarro’s occupation of Cuzco cemented Spanish dominance over the empire’s administrative center. Local resistance continued, but the fall of Cuzco dealt a devastating blow to Inca morale. The event accelerated the Spanish consolidation of power in the Andes. Pizarro installed a puppet ruler, undermining Inca sovereignty. Cuzco’s transformation foreshadowed centuries of colonial rule in South America.
1533 Francisco Pizarro Cuzco Inca Empire
1705day.year

Rákóczi's War of Independence: The Habsburg Empire and Denmark win a military victory over the Kurucs from Hungary in the Battle of Zsibó.

During Rákóczi’s War of Independence, Habsburg and Danish forces defeat Hungarian Kuruc rebels at the Battle of Zsibó in 1705.
On November 15, 1705, imperial Habsburg troops, aided by Danish contingents, clashed with Hungarian Kuruc rebels at Zsibó (modern Jibou, Romania). The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Habsburg-Danish alliance, forcing the Kurucs into retreat. This engagement was part of Francis II Rákóczi’s broader struggle to secure Hungarian independence from Habsburg rule. The defeat at Zsibó weakened the Kuruc army’s momentum and strained their supply lines. It allowed imperial forces to regain control over Transylvanian territories. Despite setbacks, Rákóczi continued to rally support for his cause. The battle illustrated the complexities of early 18th-century Central European conflicts. Today, Zsibó remains a symbol of Hungarian resistance and imperial power struggles.
1705 Rákóczi's War of Independence Kurucs Hungary Battle of Zsibó
1864day.year

American Civil War: Union General William Tecumseh Sherman begins his March to the Sea.

In late 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman launched his celebrated 'March to the Sea'. Over a period of weeks, Sherman's forces cut a swath through Georgia, undermining the Confederacy's war effort.
In November 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman commenced the famed 'March to the Sea', a bold maneuver deep into Confederate territory. Sherman led approximately 60,000 Union troops from Atlanta, aiming to cripple the South's logistical capabilities and morale. The campaign emphasized total war tactics, targeting not only military forces but also infrastructure, supplies, and civilian property. Troops destroyed railways, confiscated crops, and disrupted communication lines, showcasing the North's industrial superiority. This relentless advance demoralized the Confederacy and hastened the end of the American Civil War. The march remains a subject of historical debate for its harsh impact on Southern civilians.
1864 American Civil War William Tecumseh Sherman March to the Sea
1899day.year

Second Boer War: Battle of Chieveley, a British armored train is ambushed and partially derailed. British lose the battle, with 80 soldiers captured, along with war correspondent Winston Churchill.

During the Second Boer War, Boer forces ambushed a British armored train at Chieveley, capturing 80 soldiers and the future statesman Winston Churchill.
On 15 November 1899, Boer commandos launched a daring ambush on a British armored train near Chieveley in South Africa. The Boers used terrain familiarity and swift tactics to disable the locomotive and trap its defenders. In the ensuing skirmish, about 80 British soldiers were taken prisoner, including young war correspondent Winston Churchill, who later gained fame. Churchill's narrow escape and subsequent captivity became a hallmark story of courage and daring journalism. The Battle of Chieveley highlighted the Boers' guerrilla warfare proficiency against a better-equipped imperial army. This encounter underscored the challenges faced by British forces during the early stages of the Second Boer War.
Second Boer War Battle of Chieveley Winston Churchill
1922day.year

At least 300 are massacred during a general strike in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

A brutal crackdown on striking workers in Guayaquil resulted in the massacre of over 300 people, marking one of the bloodiest labor uprisings in Ecuador's history.
On 15 November 1922, tensions between labor unions and government forces erupted into violence during a general strike in Guayaquil. Protesters demanded better wages, working conditions, and political reforms amid widespread social unrest. Authorities responded with lethal force, opening fire on crowds and resulting in at least 300 deaths. The massacre shocked the nation and exposed deep divisions between the working class and the ruling elites. In the aftermath, labor leaders were arrested, but public outrage prompted calls for legislative change. This tragic event became a catalyst for future labor movements and reforms in Ecuador.
1922 massacred Guayaquil Ecuador
1942day.year

World War II: The Battle of Guadalcanal ends in a decisive Allied victory.

Allied forces secure victory at Guadalcanal, marking a turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II.
In November 1942, after months of brutal jungle warfare, Allied troops forced Japanese forces to evacuate Guadalcanal. The successful campaign ended the threat to Allied supply routes between the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. It marked the first major land offensive against the Japanese Empire and shifted momentum in the Pacific. The Battle of Guadalcanal showcased the resilience of U.S. Marines and their partners in the face of harsh conditions. Heavy casualties on both sides underscored the battle’s strategic and human cost. The victory boosted Allied morale and paved the way for further advances across the Pacific islands.
1942 World War II Battle of Guadalcanal Allied
1943day.year

The Holocaust: German SS leader Heinrich Himmler orders that Gypsies are to be put "on the same level as Jews and placed in concentration camps".

Heinrich Himmler decrees that Roma and Sinti people face the same persecution as Jews, mandating their deportation to concentration camps.
In November 1943, SS Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler issued a chilling order equating Gypsies (Roma and Sinti) with Jews. The decree mandated their arrest, deportation, and internment in concentration camps under the same harsh conditions. This expansion of Nazi racial policy targeted additional ethnic groups deemed "undesirable." Thousands of Roma and Sinti were uprooted from their homes across occupied Europe. Families endured starvation, disease, and brutal treatment within the camp system. The Himmler order exemplifies the regime’s systematic approach to genocide beyond its initial targets.
1943 The Holocaust SS Heinrich Himmler Gypsies Jews concentration camps
1969day.year

Cold War: The Soviet submarine K-19 collides with the American submarine USS Gato in the Barents Sea.

At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet submarine K-19 collided with the U.S. submarine USS Gato in the Barents Sea, risking a dangerous confrontation.
On November 15, 1969, the Soviet submarine K-19 and the American submarine USS Gato accidentally collided during submerged patrols in the Barents Sea. The incident occurred amid dense fog and strong currents, leading to a near-catastrophic exchange between superpower naval forces. Both vessels sustained damage to their hulls, though there were no casualties or nuclear incidents. The collision underscored the perilous nature of undersea operations during the Cold War and the potential for unintended escalation. In its aftermath, both navies reviewed their patrol procedures to prevent similar encounters in contested waters.
1969 Cold War Soviet submarine K-19 American submarine USS Gato Barents Sea
2003day.year

The first day of the 2003 Istanbul bombings, in which two car bombs, targeting two synagogues, explode, kill 25 people and wound 300 more.

Coordinated car bomb attacks on synagogues in Istanbul kill 25 people and injure hundreds.
On November 15, 2003, two car bombs detonated in Istanbul, targeting the Neve Shalom and Bet Israel synagogues. The attacks marked the first day of the 2003 Istanbul bombings, resulting in the deaths of 25 people. Over 300 civilians and emergency responders were wounded in the blasts. The assaults shocked Turkey and strained relations between Muslim and Jewish communities. Turkish authorities launched an extensive investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. The incident highlighted the growing global threat of terrorism in urban centers.
2003 2003 Istanbul bombings