1118day.year
The city of Zaragoza is conquered by king Alfonso I of Aragon from the Almoravid.
King Alfonso I of Aragon captured Zaragoza from the Almoravid dynasty, extending Christian rule in medieval Spain.
In 1118, Alfonso I of Aragon captured the strategically vital city of Zaragoza from the Almoravid dynasty. As part of the broader Reconquista, this conquest extended Christian rule further into the Iberian Peninsula. Zaragoza was a key stronghold on the Ebro River and its fall weakened Muslim presence in northeastern Spain. Alfonso’s victory was achieved after months of siege and highlighted his determination to reclaim territory. The capture of Zaragoza bolstered the political and military standing of the Kingdom of Aragon. This event became a cornerstone in the gradual Christian reconquest of Spain.
1118
Zaragoza
Alfonso I of Aragon
Almoravid
1499day.year
A rebellion breaks out in Alpujarras in response to the forced conversions of Muslims in Spain.
Muslims in Spain launched an uprising in the Alpujarras region against forced conversions, sparking a significant rebellion in 1499.
In 1499, an armed uprising erupted in the mountainous Alpujarras region of southern Spain. Local Muslims, pressured by forced conversions following the fall of Granada, rebelled against the crown’s religious policies. The revolt reflected deep resentment over the 1492 decree that had promised religious tolerance but enforced conversion. Rebels seized several fortifications and disrupted royal authority in the area. The Spanish monarchy responded with a vigorous military campaign to suppress the insurrection. This rebellion foreshadowed further conflicts between Christian rulers and Morisco populations in the decades to follow.
1499
A rebellion breaks out
Alpujarras
forced conversions of Muslims in Spain
1622day.year
Portuguese forces score a military victory over the Kingdom of Kongo at the Battle of Mbumbi in present-day Angola.
Portuguese forces defeated the Kingdom of Kongo at the Battle of Mbumbi, asserting colonial power in West Central Africa.
In 1622, Portuguese colonial forces defeated the Kingdom of Kongo at the Battle of Mbumbi in present-day Angola. The clash was part of Portugal’s efforts to secure its control over West African trade routes and resources. Led by Governor Manuel Pereira Coutinho, the Portuguese navy and militia overcame Kongo’s defenders along the Mbumbi River. The victory solidified European influence in the region and weakened Kongo’s regional power. It also paved the way for the expansion of the transatlantic slave trade from Angolan ports. The battle marked a turning point in the struggle between African kingdoms and European colonizers.
1622
Portuguese
Kingdom of Kongo
Battle of Mbumbi
Angola
1793day.year
Surrender of the frigate La Lutine by French Royalists to Lord Samuel Hood; renamed HMS Lutine, she later becomes a famous treasure wreck.
The French frigate La Lutine was surrendered to British forces and commissioned as HMS Lutine, later famed as a treasure wreck.
In 1793, the French frigate La Lutine was surrendered to British forces and commissioned as HMS Lutine. The vessel, handed over by French Royalists, was received by Lord Samuel Hood in the Channel. Renamed and refitted, HMS Lutine served the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary Wars. She became famous for her tragic sinking off the Dutch coast in 1799 while carrying a large cargo of gold and silver. The ship’s bell, later recovered, earned a reputation for ringing to announce news of lost treasure. The story of HMS Lutine’s demise fueled legends of sunken riches and maritime lore.
1793
Lord Samuel Hood
HMS Lutine
1916day.year
World War I: The Battle of Verdun ends when the second French offensive pushes the Germans back two or three kilometres, causing them to cease their attacks.
On December 18, 1916, after ten months of brutal fighting, the Battle of Verdun ended as French forces repelled the German offensive.
On December 18, 1916, the protracted Battle of Verdun concluded as French Army counterattacks forced German troops to cease their assaults.
One of the longest and bloodiest engagements of World War I, Verdun had begun in February and exacted over 700,000 casualties on both sides.
The French defense, symbolized by the rallying cry "They shall not pass," became a testament to national determination and sacrifice.
By pushing German lines back two to three kilometers, the French preserved control of a vital segment of the Western Front.
The battle's grueling conditions, artillery barrages, and trench warfare tactics shaped military doctrine for the remainder of the war.
Verdun remains emblematic of human endurance under fire and the staggering cost of industrialized conflict.
1916
World War I
Battle of Verdun
1939day.year
World War II: The Battle of the Heligoland Bight, the first major air battle of the war, takes place.
On December 18, 1939, the Battle of the Heligoland Bight, the first major air battle of World War II, took place over the North Sea.
On December 18, 1939, Royal Air Force bombers and fighters engaged the German Luftwaffe over the Heligoland Bight in the first significant air battle of World War II.
British forces aimed to strike German warships but were met with fierce resistance from experienced German fighters.
The clash resulted in substantial losses on both sides, highlighting the perils of daylight raids without adequate escort.
Tactical lessons learned prompted improvements in formation flying, fighter escort procedures, and coordination between air and naval units.
The engagement shaped early air warfare doctrine and underscored the critical role of air superiority in modern conflict.
Its outcome influenced future RAF strategy and the evolution of aerial combat on both sides.
1939
World War II
Battle of the Heligoland Bight
1944day.year
World War II: XX Bomber Command responds to the Japanese Operation Ichi-Go offensive by dropping five hundred tons of incendiary bombs on a supply base in Hankow, China.
In December 1944, the US XX Bomber Command retaliated against Japan's Operation Ichi-Go by unleashing 500 tons of incendiary bombs on a crucial supply base at Hankow, China.
On December 18, 1944, during the height of World War II's China-Burma-India theatre, the US XX Bomber Command struck back at Japan's massive Operation Ichi-Go offensive.
Spearheading the mission, B-29 bombers carried over 500 tons of incendiaries directly into the heart of Hankow’s supply depot.
Their primary target was a Japanese logistics hub on the Yangtze River that supported ground forces advancing through central China.
The raid aimed to disrupt ammunition stores, fuel reserves, and railway lines essential to Japan's offensive momentum.
Flames and dense smoke engulfed the area, causing widespread destruction of munitions dumps and transport infrastructure.
Although exact casualty figures remain unclear, the operation critically hampered Japanese supply lines and slowed their advance.
The mission illustrated the expanding reach and destructive capacity of Allied strategic bombing in Southeast Asia.
1944
XX Bomber Command
Operation Ichi-Go
Hankow, China
1972day.year
Vietnam War: President Richard Nixon announces that the United States will engage North Vietnam in Operation Linebacker II, a series of Christmas bombings, after peace talks collapsed with North Vietnam on the 13th.
President Nixon announced Operation Linebacker II on this day in 1972, launching a massive Christmas bombing campaign against North Vietnam after peace talks failed.
On December 18, 1972, President Richard Nixon ordered the commencement of Operation Linebacker II—the heaviest aerial bombardment of the Vietnam War—after negotiations with North Vietnam collapsed.
Over the next twelve days, U.S. B-52 bombers flew more than 700 sorties over Hanoi and Haiphong, dropping over 15,000 tons of bombs.
The campaign targeted military complexes, transportation hubs, and supply lines to coerce North Vietnam back to the negotiating table.
Despite facing dense anti-aircraft defenses and surface-to-air missiles, U.S. forces claimed significant infrastructure damage.
Critics decried the bombing as excessive during the Christmas season, while proponents argued it was essential to end the conflict.
The operation pressured North Vietnam into renewed talks and set the stage for the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973.
1972
Vietnam War
President
Richard Nixon
North Vietnam
Operation Linebacker II
Christmas
2005day.year
The Chadian Civil War begins when rebel groups, allegedly backed by neighbouring Sudan, launch an attack in Adré.
Rebel forces attack Adré in eastern Chad, triggering the start of the Chadian Civil War.
On December 18, 2005, multiple rebel groups launched an assault on the border town of Adré, marking the beginning of the Chadian Civil War. The rebels were alleged to have received backing from neighboring Sudan, heightening regional tensions. President Idriss Déby's government declared a state of emergency and mobilized military forces to defend the town. The attack drew in international attention, with humanitarian agencies warning of potential civilian displacement. Over the following years, the conflict would involve various armed factions, causing widespread instability in eastern Chad. The outbreak underscored the complex political dynamics and cross-border influences in the Sahel region.
2005
Chadian Civil War
Sudan
attack in Adré