971day.year
Battle of Ayn Shams: The Fatimids under Jawhar defeat the Qarmatians at the gates of Cairo, putting an end to the First Qarmatian invasion of Egypt.
In 971, Fatimid general Jawhar decisively repels the Qarmatians at Ayn Shams, securing Cairo against invasion.
The Qarmatians, a radical Ismaili sect, had launched their first major invasion of Egypt, threatening the region’s stability.
General Jawhar, serving the Fatimid caliphate, marshaled his forces at the outskirts of Cairo, near Ayn Shams.
In a fierce engagement, the Fatimid troops routed the invaders, capturing key commanders and ending the incursion.
This victory solidified Fatimid control over Egypt and paved the way for the founding of the city of Cairo soon after.
The battle marked a turning point in the Fatimids’ rise to power in North Africa and the Levant.
971
Battle of Ayn Shams
Fatimids
Jawhar
Qarmatians
Cairo
First Qarmatian invasion of Egypt
1144day.year
The capital of the crusader County of Edessa falls to Imad ad-Din Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo.
In 1144, Imad ad-Din Zengi captures Edessa, delivering a major blow to the Crusader states.
Imad ad-Din Zengi, atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo, laid siege to the crusader-held city of Edessa, a key frontier fortress.
After weeks of siege, the defenders capitulated, and the city fell on December 24th, marking the first major reversal for the crusaders.
The loss sent shockwaves through Europe, prompting calls for a Second Crusade to reclaim lost territories.
This event underscored the shifting balance of power in the Levant and the growing strength of Muslim dynasties.
Edessa’s fall remains a pivotal moment in the history of the Crusades and medieval geopolitics.
1144
crusader
County of Edessa
falls
Imad ad-Din Zengi
atabeg
Mosul
Aleppo
1500day.year
A joint Venetian–Spanish fleet captures the Castle of St. George on the island of Cephalonia.
On December 24th, 1500, Venetian and Spanish forces seize the Castle of St. George on Cephalonia.
During the height of Ottoman-Venetian rivalry, a combined fleet from Venice and Spain targeted Cephalonia’s stronghold.
Their joint assault overcame the island’s defenses on Christmas Eve, securing the Castle of St. George.
This victory bolstered Christian control in the Ionian Sea and disrupted Ottoman supply lines.
The capture of Cephalonia served as a strategic foothold for future naval operations in the eastern Mediterranean.
It exemplified the shifting alliances and military tactics of early Renaissance maritime powers.
1500
Venetian
Spanish
captures
Cephalonia
1737day.year
The Marathas defeat the combined forces of the Mughal Empire, Rajputs of Jaipur, Nizam of Hyderabad, Nawab of Awadh and Nawab of Bengal in the Battle of Bhopal.
In 1737, Maratha forces under Peshwa Baji Rao I deliver a decisive victory at the Battle of Bhopal over a vast coalition.
The Maratha Confederacy, led by Peshwa Baji Rao I, confronted a formidable alliance of Mughal, Rajput, and regional armies.
On December 24th near Bhopal, the Marathas executed swift cavalry maneuvers that shattered the enemy lines.
This triumph marked a critical decline in Mughal influence and the rise of Maratha power in central India.
The outcome reshaped the subcontinent’s political landscape, influencing future alliances and conflicts.
The Battle of Bhopal remains a testament to Maratha military innovation and strategic prowess.
1737
Marathas
Mughal Empire
Rajputs of Jaipur
Nizam of Hyderabad
Nawab of Awadh
Nawab of Bengal
Battle of Bhopal
1814day.year
Representatives of the United Kingdom and the United States sign the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.
On December 24, 1814, the United Kingdom and the United States sign the Treaty of Ghent, officially ending the War of 1812.
After years of conflict over maritime rights and territorial control, delegates from Britain and the United States met in Ghent (modern-day Belgium) to negotiate peace. The treaty restored prewar boundaries without major territorial concessions and resolved lingering issues over borders and commerce. Although news traveled slowly, the agreement ultimately halted hostilities and fostered diplomatic relations between the two nations. Ratified in early 1815, the Treaty of Ghent set a precedent for resolving international conflicts through negotiation. The end of the War of 1812 ushered in an era of improved Anglo-American cooperation and trade.
1814
United Kingdom
United States
Treaty of Ghent
War of 1812
1914day.year
World War I: The "Christmas truce" begins.
On December 24, 1914, an unofficial Christmas truce pauses fighting along parts of the Western Front.
German and Allied soldiers, exhausted by months of trench warfare, began to exchange seasonal greetings and small gifts in no man's land. The impromptu ceasefire allowed troops to bury their dead, share rations, and even play informal games of football. Though orders from higher command soon ended the fraternization, news of the truce spread as a powerful symbol of humanity amid conflict. The Christmas truce highlighted soldiers' shared experiences and the desire for peace during one of history's deadliest wars.
1914
World War I
Christmas truce
1918day.year
Region of Međimurje is captured by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes from Hungary.
In December 1918, troops of the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes captured Međimurje from Hungary, altering the map of post-World War I Central Europe.
As the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed after World War I, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes moved to secure contested territories along its borders. On December 24, 1918, its forces seized the region of Međimurje, which had been under Hungarian administration. The operation was largely bloodless, reflecting both the military weakness of Hungary and the local population's desire to join the new South Slavic state. Hungarian officials protested, but the shift was later recognized by the international community at the Paris Peace Conference. This event solidified the southern border and contributed to the creation of modern Yugoslavia. Its legacy influences border agreements in present-day Croatia.
1918
Međimurje is captured
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
Hungary
1939day.year
World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace.
On Christmas Eve 1939, Pope Pius XII delivered a heartfelt appeal for peace as World War II engulfed Europe.
In his first Christmas message as pontiff during the darkest days of World War II, Pope Pius XII called on warring nations to cease hostilities and respect human dignity. Broadcast from the Vatican, his words reached millions of listeners across continents. He appealed for an end to violence, the protection of civilians, and the restoration of justice. Although lacking direct political power, his moral authority resonated with weary populations. Critics debated the effectiveness of his neutral stance, but his plea remains a defining moment in the Vatican’s wartime diplomacy. The address underscored the global longing for peace at a time of unprecedented suffering.
1939
World War II
Pope Pius XII
Christmas Eve
1941day.year
World War II: Kuching is conquered by Japanese forces.
Japanese forces captured the city of Kuching in Borneo on December 24, 1941, expanding their control during their rapid advance in World War II.
As part of the Japanese campaign in Southeast Asia, Imperial Army units pushed into British-held territories shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. On Christmas Eve of 1941, they took Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, encountering limited resistance from British and local troops. The fall of the city opened the way for further operations in Borneo, securing vital oil and rubber resources for Japan. Civilians endured harsh occupation policies, and many Allied soldiers were subsequently interned. The conquest of Kuching demonstrated the speed and coordination of Japanese forces during the early Pacific War. It remains a sobering chapter in the region’s wartime history.
1941
Kuching
1941day.year
World War II: Benghazi is conquered by the British Eighth Army.
The British Eighth Army recaptured Benghazi on December 24, 1941, marking a pivotal moment in the North African campaign of World War II.
Following the setbacks of 1941, the British Eighth Army launched a counteroffensive against Axis forces in Libya. On Christmas Eve, they entered Benghazi with minimal opposition, reclaiming the vital Mediterranean port. This victory disrupted Axis supply lines and boosted Allied morale. It also laid the groundwork for further advances toward Tunisia. Local civilians greeted the British troops with relief, ending months of occupation. Benghazi’s recapture underscored the shifting balance of power in North Africa. The event is celebrated as a key success in Allied desert warfare.
Benghazi
British Eighth Army
1942day.year
World War II: French monarchist, Fernand Bonnier de La Chapelle, assassinates Vichy French Admiral François Darlan in Algiers, Algeria.
On December 24, 1942, French monarchist Fernand Bonnier de La Chapelle assassinated Vichy Admiral François Darlan in Algiers, shocking both Allies and Axis.
François Darlan had assumed control in French North Africa after the Allied landings in Operation Torch. His collaborationist stance made him a controversial figure among Free French factions. Acting alone, Fernand Bonnier de La Chapelle, a young monarchist, shot Darlan in the lobby of the Hôtel Majestic in Algiers. The assassination plunged the administration into chaos and forced the Allies to renegotiate their relationship with French authorities. Darlan’s death shifted power toward Charles de Gaulle and the Free French movement. The event remains one of the most dramatic political killings of World War II.
1942
French monarchist
Fernand Bonnier de La Chapelle
Vichy
François Darlan
Algiers
Algeria
1943day.year
World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord.
Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord on December 24, 1943.
With the Allied invasion of northwestern Europe in planning stages, Allied leaders sought a single commander to lead the massive Operation Overlord. On Christmas Eve 1943, they selected U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower for the role. His appointment unified American and British forces under a clear command structure. Eisenhower began coordinating strategy, logistics, and deception Plans that would culminate in the D-Day landings. His leadership ensured cooperation among diverse Allied contingents. The decision proved instrumental to the success of the Normandy invasion. Eisenhower’s role solidified his reputation as one of the premier military commanders of World War II.
1943
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Supreme Allied Commander
Operation Overlord