762day.year
During the An Shi Rebellion, the Tang dynasty, with the help of Huihe tribe, recaptures Luoyang from the rebels.
Tang forces, aided by the Huihe tribe, retake Luoyang in 762, turning the tide against the An Shi Rebellion.
In the midst of the devastating An Shi Rebellion (755–763), Tang dynasty troops, with crucial support from the allied Huihe (Uyghur) cavalry, mounted a successful campaign to reclaim the eastern capital of Luoyang. This victory weakened rebel strongholds and cut off vital supply lines, undermining An Shi’s power base. The recapture demonstrated the Tang court’s ability to forge strategic alliances with frontier tribes. It marked a major step toward suppressing one of China's most severe internal conflicts, which had threatened to fracture the dynasty. The action showcased the empire’s resilience and diplomatic skill in combining military force with coalition-building.
762
An Shi Rebellion
Tang dynasty
Huihe
Luoyang
1194day.year
Palermo is conquered by Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor.
In 1194, Emperor Henry VI captures Palermo, securing Hohenstaufen control over southern Italy and Sicily.
Henry VI of the Hohenstaufen dynasty launched a decisive campaign into southern Italy, culminating in the fall of Palermo, the capital of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. His conquest brought the wealthy island and its revenues under imperial authority, fulfilling his late father Frederick Barbarossa’s ambitions. By marrying Constance of Sicily, Henry solidified his legitimate claim and extended the Holy Roman Empire’s influence into the Mediterranean. The victory reshaped the political landscape of Italy and heightened tensions between imperial and papal powers. Palermo’s capture underscored the strategic importance of Sicily in medieval geopolitics.
1194
Palermo
Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor
1695day.year
Zumbi, the last of the leaders of Quilombo dos Palmares in early Brazil, is executed by the forces of Portuguese bandeirante Domingos Jorge Velho.
Zumbi, a symbol of resistance for escaped enslaved Africans, is captured and executed on November 20, 1695.
Zumbi was the charismatic leader of Quilombo dos Palmares, a self-governing community of formerly enslaved Africans and Indigenous peoples in colonial Brazil. Under his leadership, Palmares grew into a stronghold resisting Portuguese colonial forces and bandeirante incursions. In late 1695, the bandeirante Domingos Jorge Velho led a decisive assault, capturing and executing Zumbi. His death marked the collapse of the largest maroon settlement in the Americas. Zumbi’s legacy endures as a powerful icon of Afro-Brazilian freedom, inspiring future generations in the fight against oppression.
1695
Zumbi
Quilombo dos Palmares
executed
Domingos Jorge Velho
1739day.year
Start of the Battle of Porto Bello between British and Spanish forces during the War of Jenkins' Ear.
On November 20, 1739, British forces attack Porto Bello, marking the opening engagement of the War of Jenkins’ Ear.
The British Royal Navy, commanded by Vice Admiral Edward Vernon, launched a surprise assault on the Spanish port of Porto Bello (now Portobelo, Panama). The town’s capture delivered a significant blow to Spain’s transatlantic trade routes and thrilled the British public, fueling popular support for the war. Vernon’s forces seized the fortress with minimal casualties, showcasing new amphibious tactics. The victory at Porto Bello became celebrated in Britain, prompting town namesakes and cultural references. Though strategically small, the battle demonstrated Britain’s growing naval prowess in the Caribbean.
1739
Battle of Porto Bello
War of Jenkins' Ear
1776day.year
American Revolutionary War: British forces land at the Palisades and then attack Fort Lee. The Continental Army starts to retreat across New Jersey.
British troops assault Fort Lee on November 20, 1776, forcing Washington’s Continental Army to retreat across New Jersey.
Following the loss of Fort Washington, British and Hessian forces crossed the Hudson River at the Palisades and besieged Fort Lee, a key defensive position for the Continental Army. Facing superior numbers and supply shortages, General George Washington ordered an organized retreat into New Jersey. The withdrawal preserved the core of the Continental forces but ceded control of New Jersey to the British. This setback underscored the challenges facing the revolutionary cause during its early stages. The retreat set the stage for Washington’s daring counterattacks later in the campaign.
1776
American Revolutionary War
the Palisades
Fort Lee
Continental Army
New Jersey
1845day.year
Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata: Battle of Vuelta de Obligado.
During the Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata, Allied naval forces fought Argentine defenders at the Battle of Vuelta de Obligado.
On November 20, 1845, British and French warships attempted to force passage along the Paraná River against Argentine fortifications at Vuelta de Obligado. Defenders loyal to Juan Manuel de Rosas resisted with artillery and chains stretched across the river. Despite heavy Argentine fire, Allied forces eventually broke through the defenses. The battle demonstrated the challenge of imposing foreign control over sovereign waters. It also galvanized Argentine national pride and resistance to European intervention.
1845
Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata
Battle of Vuelta de Obligado
1873day.year
Garnier Expedition: French forces under Lieutenant Francis Garnier captured Hanoi from the Vietnamese.
French forces led by Lieutenant Francis Garnier captured Hanoi from the Vietnamese during the Garnier Expedition.
On November 20, 1873, Lt. Francis Garnier and a detachment of French sailors and marines overwhelmed the Vietnamese defenders at Hanoi. The expedition, originally sent to assess regional stability, escalated into a military conquest. Garnier’s small force stormed the citadel and secured control of the Red River delta’s key stronghold. The action marked the beginning of France’s colonial expansion in Tonkin. It provoked local resistance and set the stage for further conflicts in Indochina.
1873
Garnier Expedition
French
Francis Garnier
captured
Hanoi
Vietnamese
1910day.year
Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero issues the Plan de San Luis Potosí, denouncing Mexican President Porfirio Díaz, calling for a revolution to overthrow the government of Mexico, effectively starting the Mexican Revolution.
Francisco I. Madero issued the Plan de San Luis Potosí, denouncing Porfirio Díaz and calling for revolution.
On November 20, 1910, Francisco I. Madero proclaimed the Plan de San Luis Potosí from exile in Texas, rejecting the fraudulent reelection of Porfirio Díaz. The plan called on Mexicans to rise in arms on November 20 to restore democracy. It marked the official start of the Mexican Revolution. Madero’s call resonated across the country, inspiring peasants, workers, and regional leaders. The ensuing decade of conflict reshaped Mexico’s political and social landscape.
1910
Mexican Revolution
Francisco I. Madero
Plan de San Luis Potosí
Porfirio Díaz
revolution
government of Mexico
1917day.year
World War I: Battle of Cambrai begins: British forces make early progress in an attack on German positions but are later pushed back.
The Battle of Cambrai began, marking the first large-scale use of tanks by British forces in World War I.
On November 20, 1917, British forces launched a surprise attack near Cambrai, France, deploying over 400 tanks to breach German defenses. Early successes saw the Allies advance along a wide front, demonstrating the potential of armored warfare. German troops later launched counterattacks, regaining much of the lost ground. Despite limited strategic gains, the battle influenced future tactics and underscored tanks’ role in modern combat. Cambrai became a landmark in the evolution of mechanized warfare.
1917
World War I
Battle of Cambrai
1936day.year
José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder of the Falange, is killed by a republican execution squad.
Spanish fascist leader José Antonio Primo de Rivera was executed by a Republican squad during the Spanish Civil War.
On November 20, 1936, José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder of the Falange, was shot in Alicante by Republican forces. Arrested after the Civil War broke out, Rivera was held without trial amid political chaos. His execution turned him into a martyr for the Nationalist cause led by Francisco Franco. The event deepened ideological divides and fueled propaganda on both sides. Primo de Rivera’s death remains a symbol of Spain’s turbulent 20th-century history.
1936
José Antonio Primo de Rivera
Falange
1940day.year
World War II: Hungary becomes a signatory of the Tripartite Pact, officially joining the Axis powers.
Hungary joined the Axis powers by signing the Tripartite Pact, aligning with Germany and Italy in World War II.
On November 20, 1940, the Hungarian government formally signed the Tripartite Pact in Budapest, committing to military cooperation with Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan. Prime Minister Pál Teleki sought to regain lost territories by aligning with Axis ambitions. This treaty secured Hungary’s position within the Axis alliance but also limited its foreign policy autonomy. Hungarian troops later participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union. The decision shaped Hungary’s wartime fate and postwar repercussions.
1940
World War II
Hungary
Tripartite Pact
Axis powers
1943day.year
World War II: Battle of Tarawa (Operation Galvanic) begins: United States Marines land on Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands and suffer heavy fire from Japanese shore guns and machine guns.
The Battle of Tarawa marks a bloody Pacific War confrontation as U.S. Marines storm Tarawa Atoll under intense Japanese fire.
On November 20, 1943, during World War II's Pacific campaign, the United States Marines launched an assault on the heavily fortified Tarawa Atoll. Operation Galvanic represented the first American amphibious landing against fortified Japanese positions. The defenders responded with fierce resistance from shore guns and machine guns, inflicting significant casualties. The battle highlighted the challenges of amphibious warfare and the importance of pre-assault intelligence. Despite heavy losses, the Marines secured the atoll in 76 hours. The intensity of combat shocked the American public. Lessons learned here shaped future island-hopping strategies and amphibious assault tactics.
1943
Battle of Tarawa
Operation Galvanic
United States Marines
Tarawa Atoll
Gilbert Islands