December 16

Events - Wars & Conflicts

755day.year

An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Yanjing, initiating the An Lushan Rebellion during the Tang dynasty of China.

General An Lushan rebels against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Yanjing, igniting the devastating An Lushan Rebellion against the Tang dynasty.
On December 16, 755, An Lushan, a military governor of Central Asia, revolted at Yanjing (present-day Beijing) against the Tang court. He accused the powerful Chancellor Yang Guozhong of corruption and treachery. The uprising quickly spread through northern China, capturing key cities and undermining imperial authority. At its height, the rebellion threatened the Tang capital of Chang'an and Luoyang. The conflict lasted nearly eight years and marked one of the bloodiest periods in Chinese history. It led to massive population loss, economic disruption, and a weakened dynasty. The Tang court relied on non-Han frontier troops to suppress the rebellion, altering the empire's military structure. The aftermath shifted the balance of power in East Asia for centuries.
755 An Lushan Chancellor Yang Guozhong Yanjing An Lushan Rebellion Tang dynasty
1598day.year

Seven-Year War: Battle of Noryang: The final battle of the Seven-Year War is fought between the China and the Korean allied forces and Japanese navies, resulting in a decisive allied forces victory.

In the Battle of Noryang, Chinese and Korean allied forces achieve a decisive naval victory over the Japanese fleet, concluding the Imjin War.
On December 16, 1598, the combined navies of the Ming dynasty and Joseon Korea engaged the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Noryang Strait. This final confrontation of the Imjin War followed the death of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the arrival of Chinese Admiral Chen Lin. Despite foul weather and heavy seas, allied ships executed coordinated attacks that shattered Japanese formations. The victory forced Japan to abandon its plans for further incursions and led to the withdrawal of remaining troops. Admiral Yi, a revered Korean hero, was killed by a stray bullet during the engagement, cementing his legacy. The battle marked the end of Japanese attempts to conquer Korea and restored stability to the peninsula. It underscored the effectiveness of naval artillery and joint military cooperation. The triumph had lasting implications for East Asian maritime power dynamics.
1598 Seven-Year War Battle of Noryang
1761day.year

Seven Years' War: After a four-month siege, the Russians under Pyotr Rumyantsev take the Prussian fortress of Kołobrzeg.

Russian forces under Pyotr Rumyantsev capture the Prussian fortress of Kołobrzeg after a four-month siege, affecting the Seven Years’ War balance.
After a protracted four-month siege, Russian General Pyotr Rumyantsev successfully seized the Prussian fortress of Kołobrzeg on December 16, 1761. Located on the Baltic coast, Kołobrzeg was a strategic stronghold for Frederick the Great’s forces. The siege involved coordinated artillery bombardments and trench warfare that wore down the defenders. Rumyantsev’s victory disrupted Prussia’s supply lines and weakened its coastal defenses. The fall of Kołobrzeg further strained Prussia’s military resources during the final phase of the Seven Years’ War. News of the capture boosted Russian morale and underscored the empire’s growing influence in European affairs. The outcome contributed to shifting negotiations that would lead to the 1763 Treaty of Hubertusburg. The battle demonstrated the evolving tactics of 18th-century siege warfare.
1761 Seven Years' War four-month siege Pyotr Rumyantsev Prussian Kołobrzeg
1782day.year

British East India Company: Muharram Rebellion: Hada and Mada Miah lead the first anti-British uprising in the subcontinent against Robert Lindsay and his contingents in Sylhet Shahi Eidgah.

In 1782, Hada and Mada Miah led the first anti-British uprising in Sylhet Shahi Eidgah against the British East India Company.
The Muharram Rebellion occurred on December 16, 1782 in the Sylhet Shahi Eidgah region against British East India Company rule. Led by local leaders Hada and Mada Miah, peasants revolted against the oppressive taxation policies of Company officer Robert Lindsay. The rebels gathered during the sacred Muharram festival, using the occasion to organize their uprising. Although the rebellion was quickly suppressed, it is remembered as the first organized anti-British resistance in the Indian subcontinent. The revolt exposed the vulnerabilities of Company administration in rural areas and inspired later freedom movements. Today, the Muharram Rebellion is commemorated as an early symbol of indigenous struggle for autonomy under colonial rule.
1782 British East India Company Muharram Rebellion the subcontinent Robert Lindsay Sylhet Shahi Eidgah
1826day.year

Benjamin W. Edwards rides into Mexican-controlled Nacogdoches, Texas, and declares himself ruler of the Republic of Fredonia.

In 1826, Benjamin W. Edwards seized Nacogdoches, Texas and declared the short-lived Republic of Fredonia.
On December 16, 1826, American settler Benjamin W. Edwards led a group of colonists into Nacogdoches, Texas, then under Mexican control. He proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of Fredonia, rejecting Mexican authority in the region. Edwards and his supporters aimed to create an independent nation aligned with the United States. The rebellion gained little support and quickly faltered when Mexican troops advanced. The short-lived uprising collapsed within weeks, and Edwards fled the area. Although unsuccessful, the Fredonian Rebellion foreshadowed larger conflicts that led to the Texas Revolution.
1826 Benjamin W. Edwards Nacogdoches, Texas Republic of Fredonia
1838day.year

Great Trek: Battle of Blood River: Voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius and Sarel Cilliers defeat Zulu impis, led by Dambuza (Nzobo) and Ndlela kaSompisi in what is today KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

On December 16, 1838, Voortrekkers under Pretorius defeated Zulu impis at the Battle of Blood River in present-day South Africa.
During the Great Trek on December 16, 1838, Voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius and Sarel Cilliers clashed with Zulu impis at Blood River. The Voortrekkers formed a defensive laager of ox-wagons that repelled repeated Zulu assaults. Despite being outnumbered, the Boers inflicted heavy casualties on the Zulu forces under commanders Dambuza and Ndlela kaSompisi. The battle resulted in a decisive victory with minimal losses for the Voortrekkers. It became a foundational event for Afrikaner identity and is commemorated as the Day of the Vow. The outcome shifted the balance of power, enabling Boer settlement and expansion in Natal.
1838 Great Trek Battle of Blood River Voortrekkers Andries Pretorius Sarel Cilliers Zulu impis Ndlela kaSompisi KwaZulu-Natal
1863day.year

American Civil War: Confederate President Jefferson Davis appoints General Joseph E. Johnston to replace General Braxton Bragg as commander of the Army of Tennessee.

On December 16, 1863, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed General Joseph E. Johnston to command the Army of Tennessee.
In the midst of the American Civil War, Davis appointed General Joseph E. Johnston to command the Confederate Army of Tennessee on December 16, 1863. Johnston replaced Braxton Bragg after Confederate forces suffered setbacks at Chattanooga. Known for his defensive strategies, Johnston aimed to regroup the army and protect vital supply lines. His cautious approach contrasted with Bragg’s aggressive tactics, sparking debate among Confederate leaders. While Johnston stabilized some positions, he struggled to halt Union advances led by General Sherman. The leadership change underscored the Confederacy’s challenges in managing internal rivalries during a critical phase of the war.
1863 American Civil War Confederate Jefferson Davis Joseph E. Johnston Braxton Bragg Army of Tennessee
1864day.year

American Civil War: The Battle of Nashville ends as the Union Army of the Cumberland under General George H. Thomas routs and destroys the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General John Bell Hood, ending its effectiveness as a combat unit.

On December 16, 1864, Union forces under General Thomas decisively defeated Hood’s Confederate Army of Tennessee at the Battle of Nashville.
The Battle of Nashville concluded on December 16, 1864, with a decisive Union victory over Confederate forces. General George H. Thomas led the Army of the Cumberland against John Bell Hood’s Army of Tennessee. Thomas’s forces launched a well-coordinated assault that broke through Confederate defensive lines. The rout inflicted heavy casualties and forced Hood’s army into a disorganized retreat. The defeat effectively destroyed the Confederate Army of Tennessee as a fighting force. It marked one of the largest lopsided battles of the Civil War and boosted Northern morale. The victory secured Union control of Middle Tennessee and hindered Confederate operations in the Western Theater.
1864 Battle of Nashville Union Army of the Cumberland George H. Thomas John Bell Hood
1880day.year

Outbreak of the First Boer War between the Boer South African Republic and the British Empire.

In 1880, hostilities erupted between the Boer South African Republic and the British Empire, igniting the First Boer War.
Hostilities erupted on December 16, 1880 between Boer forces of the South African Republic and the British Empire. The conflict arose from disputes over sovereignty and British annexation of the Transvaal. Boer fighters employed guerrilla tactics and used their knowledge of local terrain. Early engagements such as the Battle of Laing's Nek showcased Boer marksmanship and mobility. The war concluded in March 1881 with the Pretoria Convention, granting the Transvaal self-governance under British suzerainty. The First Boer War demonstrated the limits of colonial military power and foreshadowed tensions that would resurface in the Second Boer War.
1880 First Boer War Boer South African Republic British Empire
1883day.year

Tonkin Campaign: French forces capture the Sơn Tây citadel.

During the 1883 Tonkin Campaign, French forces seized the Sơn Tây citadel, marking a key victory in northern Vietnam.
On December 16, 1883, French troops under General Charles-Théophile Millot launched a decisive assault on the fortified Sơn Tây citadel along the Red River Delta. The capture of this stronghold disrupted local Vietnamese and Chinese defenses, showcasing France's expanding colonial influence in Indochina. The operation involved coordinated infantry advances and heavy artillery bombardment, overcoming challenging earthwork fortifications. Its success boosted French morale and secured a strategic foothold for further military campaigns in the region. Sơn Tây's fall underscored the importance of modern tactics in late 19th-century colonial warfare.
1883 Tonkin Campaign French capture Sơn Tây
1912day.year

First Balkan War: The Royal Hellenic Navy defeats the Ottoman Navy at the Battle of Elli.

In 1912, during the First Balkan War, the Royal Hellenic Navy achieved a decisive victory over the Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Elli.
On December 16, 1912, the Royal Hellenic Navy intercepted and engaged the Ottoman fleet near the entrance to the Dardanelles, initiating the Battle of Elli. Leveraging faster ironclads and superior long-range gunnery, Greek forces outmaneuvered their adversaries on the open sea. The Ottoman flagship Barbaros Hayreddin suffered heavy damage and was forced to withdraw toward the straits. This triumph secured Greek naval dominance in the Aegean Sea and bolstered morale during the Balkan conflicts. The outcome marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for control of eastern Mediterranean maritime routes.
1912 First Balkan War Royal Hellenic Navy Ottoman Navy Battle of Elli
1914day.year

World War I: Admiral Franz von Hipper commands a raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby.

World War I saw Admiral Franz von Hipper’s German squadron raid Scarborough, Hartlepool, and Whitby in 1914.
On December 16, 1914, German Admiral Franz von Hipper led a naval raid against the British coastal towns of Scarborough, Hartlepool, and Whitby. Utilizing battlecruisers from the High Seas Fleet, the operation aimed to draw out elements of the Royal Navy and shake British civilian morale. The bombardment resulted in significant property damage and civilian casualties, spurring outrage and calls for retaliation in Britain. While the raid achieved limited strategic advantage, it exposed vulnerabilities along the North Sea coast. The event influenced subsequent naval strategies and intensified the maritime arms race between the combatants.
1914 World War I Franz von Hipper raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby