Theme

History of War

Pivotal moments in war across human history.

Algerian War of Independence Begins WarAlgerian War of Independence BeginsNovember 1, 1954 · Algiers, AlgeriaThe National Liberation Front launches coordinated attacks marking the start of the Algerian War against France.Mau Mau Uprising Begins in Kenya WarMau Mau Uprising Begins in KenyaOctober 20, 1952 · Nairobi, KenyaThe Kikuyu-led Mau Mau rebellion begins against British colonial rule and white settler land ownership.Turkish War of Independence Begins WarTurkish War of Independence BeginsMay 19, 1919 · Samsun, TurkeyMustafa Kemal Atatürk lands in Samsun to organize resistance against Allied occupation and the Ottoman Sultanate.Easter Rising in Ireland WarEaster Rising in IrelandApril 24, 1916 · Dublin, IrelandIrish republicans launch an armed insurrection against British rule in Dublin during Easter Week.Mexican Revolution Begins WarMexican Revolution BeginsNovember 20, 1910 · Mexico City, MexicoFrancisco I. Madero issues a call to arms against the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz.Battle of Spion Kop WarBattle of Spion KopJanuary 24, 1900 · Natal, South AfricaBritish forces suffer a disastrous defeat against Boer commandos in the Second Boer War.Battle of Adwa: Ethiopian Victory Over Italy WarBattle of Adwa: Ethiopian Victory Over ItalyMarch 1, 1896 · Adwa, EthiopiaEmperor Menelik II decisively defeats Italian forces, securing Ethiopian sovereignty against colonial encroachment.Start of the Cuban War of Independence WarStart of the Cuban War of IndependenceFebruary 24, 1895 · CubaJosé Martí and Máximo Gómez launch a coordinated uprising against Spanish colonial rule in Cuba.Morant Bay Rebellion WarMorant Bay RebellionOctober 11, 1865 · Morant Bay, JamaicaPaul Bogle leads a revolt against racial injustice and economic hardship in British-ruled Jamaica.The Indian Rebellion of 1857 Begins WarThe Indian Rebellion of 1857 BeginsMay 10, 1857 · Meerut, IndiaIndian sepoys mutiny against the British East India Company, sparking a widespread uprising across northern India.Greek War of Independence Begins WarGreek War of Independence BeginsMarch 25, 1821 · Peloponnese, GreeceGreek revolutionaries rise against Ottoman rule, initiating a war that leads to the creation of modern Greece.Simón Bolívar's Crossing of the Andes WarSimón Bolívar's Crossing of the AndesJune 1819 · Andes Mountains, Colombia/Venezuela BorderBolivar leads his army over the frozen Andes to launch a surprise attack on Spanish forces in New Granada.Tay Son Rebellion Overthrows Le Dynasty WarTay Son Rebellion Overthrows Le Dynasty1771 CE · Tay Son, VietnamThe Tay Son brothers launch a peasant revolt that overthrows the ruling dynasties.Fall of Ayutthaya to Burma WarFall of Ayutthaya to Burma1767 CE · Ayutthaya, ThailandBurmese forces sack and burn Ayutthaya, ending the kingdom after four centuries.Escalation of Inter-Tribal Warfare in New Zealand WarEscalation of Inter-Tribal Warfare in New Zealandc. 1600 CE · North Island, New ZealandIntensified warfare leads to the construction of massive pā and the development of new weapons like the taiaha.Hideyoshi's First Invasion of Korea (Imjin War) WarHideyoshi's First Invasion of Korea (Imjin War)1592 CE · Seoul (Hanyang), KoreaToyotomi Hideyoshi launches a massive invasion of Joseon Korea to conquer Ming China.Battle of Nagashino: Introduction of Massed Firepower WarBattle of Nagashino: Introduction of Massed Firepower1575 CE · Nagashino, JapanOda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu use rotating arquebus volleys to defeat Takeda cavalry.Oda Nobunaga's Battle of Okehazama WarOda Nobunaga's Battle of Okehazama1560 CE · Okehazama, Aichi, JapanOda Nobunaga defeats a massive army of Imagawa Yoshimoto in a surprise attack.Dai Viet Annexation of Champa WarDai Viet Annexation of Champa1471 CE · Vijaya (Quang Ngai), VietnamLe Thanh Tong destroys the Champa capital, ending its independence and absorbing its territory.Sunni Ali Seizes Gao and Expands Songhai Empire WarSunni Ali Seizes Gao and Expands Songhai Empirec. 1464 CE · Gao, MaliSunni Ali launches military campaigns to conquer Gao and expand the Songhai Empire across West Africa.Conquest of the Chanka by Pachacuti WarConquest of the Chanka by Pachacutic. 1438 CE · Cusco, PeruPachacuti defeats the Chanka invasion and transforms Cusco into an empire.Expansion of the Solomonic Empire under Zara Yaqob WarExpansion of the Solomonic Empire under Zara Yaqobc. 1434 CE · Lake Tana, EthiopiaEmperor Zara Yaqob launches military campaigns to consolidate the Solomonic dynasty and suppress heresy.Lam Son Uprising Begins Against Ming China WarLam Son Uprising Begins Against Ming China1418 CE · Lam Son, Thanh Hoa, VietnamLe Loi launches a rebellion against Ming occupation, founding the Later Le Dynasty.Dai Viet Repels Third Mongol Invasion WarDai Viet Repels Third Mongol Invasion1288 CE · Bach Dang River, VietnamTran Hung Dao defeats the Mongol fleet using stakes and tidal knowledge at Bach Dang.Battle of Kadesh WarBattle of Kadeshc. 1274 BCE · Syria/Lebanon BorderEgypt and Hittites clash in the largest chariot battle of antiquity resulting in a peace treaty.Battle of Kadesh: Hittites vs. Egyptians WarBattle of Kadesh: Hittites vs. Egyptiansc. 1274 BCE · Kadesh (Tall al-Nabi Mind), SyriaRamesses II and Muwatalli II clash in the largest chariot battle of antiquity.Mongol Invasions of Goryeo Begin WarMongol Invasions of Goryeo Begin1231 CE · Seoul (Hanyang), KoreaMongol forces under General Saritai invade Goryeo, initiating decades of conflict and vassalage.Jingkang Incident and Fall of Northern Song WarJingkang Incident and Fall of Northern Song1127 CE · Kaifeng, ChinaJurchen Jin forces capture the Song capital, abducting emperors and forcing the dynasty south.Chola Raid on Srivijaya WarChola Raid on Srivijaya1025 CE · Palembang, Sumatra (Srivijaya)Rajendra Chola I launches a naval raid destroying Srivijayan ports and disrupting trade.Goryeo Repels Khitan Liao Invasion WarGoryeo Repels Khitan Liao Invasion1018 CE · Pyongan Province, KoreaGeneral Gang Gam-chan defeats the Khitan Liao army at the Battle of Guichu River.Huang Chao Rebellion and Fall of Tang WarHuang Chao Rebellion and Fall of Tang874 CE · Shandong Province, ChinaHuang Chao leads a massive peasant uprising that sacks Chang'an and destroys Tang authority.An Lushan Rebellion Begins WarAn Lushan Rebellion Begins755 CE · Chang'an, ChinaGeneral An Lushan revolts against Emperor Xuanzong, devastating the Tang Dynasty and population.Kushite Conquest of Egypt (25th Dynasty) WarKushite Conquest of Egypt (25th Dynasty)c. 747 BCE · Thebes, EgyptKing Piye of Kush conquers Upper and Lower Egypt, establishing the first African-led dynasty in Egyptian history.Kushite Conquest of Egypt Establishes 25th Dynasty WarKushite Conquest of Egypt Establishes 25th Dynastyc. 744 BCE · Napata, Nubia (Modern Sudan)King Piye of Kush conquers Upper Egypt, establishing the 25th Dynasty and restoring traditional Egyptian religious practices.Death of Ah Cacao and Fall of Copán's Dynasty WarDeath of Ah Cacao and Fall of Copán's Dynasty738 CE · Copán, HondurasThe king of Copán is captured and executed by his rival from Quiriguá, ending a golden age.Assyrian Siege and Sack of Lachish WarAssyrian Siege and Sack of Lachishc. 701 BCE · Lachish (Tell ed-Duweir), IsraelSennacherib's Assyrian army brutally conquers the fortified Judean city of Lachish.Battle of Baekgang: Silla-Tang Victory over Japan WarBattle of Baekgang: Silla-Tang Victory over Japan663 CE · Geum River Mouth, KoreaSilla and Tang China destroy the Japanese fleet, ending Baekje restoration efforts.Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem and First Temple WarBabylonian Destruction of Jerusalem and First Templec. 586 BCE · Jerusalem, Judea (Israel/Palestine)Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling the Jewish population.Aksumite Naval Expedition Against Himyar WarAksumite Naval Expedition Against Himyarc. 520 CE · Red Sea Coast near AksumKing Kaleb of Aksum dispatches a fleet to defeat the Jewish Himyarite king in Yemen.Alexander the Great Crosses the Indus River WarAlexander the Great Crosses the Indus Riverc. 326 BCE · Attock (modern Pakistan)Alexander crosses the Indus and defeats King Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes, expanding his empire to the edge of South Asia.Mauryan Conquest of Gandhara WarMauryan Conquest of Gandharac. 305 BCE · Peshawar Valley, Gandhara, PakistanChandragupta Maurya defeats Seleucus Nicator, securing the vital Gandhara region and expanding the Mauryan Empire westward to the Hindu Kush.Kalinga War and Ashoka's Conversion WarKalinga War and Ashoka's Conversionc. 261 BCE · Kalinga (modern Odisha/India)Emperor Ashoka conquers Kalinga in a bloody war, leading to his profound conversion to Buddhism and adoption of non-violence.Hannibal Barca Crosses the Alps into Italy WarHannibal Barca Crosses the Alps into Italyc. 218 BCE · Alps (Col de Montgenèvre), France/Italy BorderHannibal leads his Carthaginian army and war elephants over the Alps to surprise Rome.Battle of Red Cliffs WarBattle of Red Cliffs208 CE · Red Cliffs, Yangtze River, ChinaAlliance of Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeats Cao Cao's massive naval fleet using fire ships.Menander I Conquers Pataliputra region WarMenander I Conquers Pataliputra regionc. 160 BCE · Begram to Pataliputra axisIndo-Greek King Menander I (Milinda) extends his empire deep into the Gangetic plain, challenging Shunga authority and spreading Hellenistic-Buddhist culture.Roman Destruction of Carthage WarRoman Destruction of Carthage146 BCE · Carthage, TunisiaRome completely destroys Carthage at the end of the Third Punic War, ending its rivalry and enslaving its population.Destruction of Carthage by Rome WarDestruction of Carthage by Romec. 146 BCE · Carthage (Tunis), TunisiaRome systematically destroys Carthage, ending the Punic Wars and erasing its civilization.Samudragupta's Southern Campaigns and Allahabad Pillar WarSamudragupta's Southern Campaigns and Allahabad Pillarc. 350 CE · Allahabad (modern Uttar Pradesh/India)Emperor Samudragupta conquers northern and southern India, recording his victories on the Allahabad Pillar.Chandragupta II Defeats the Western Satraps WarChandragupta II Defeats the Western Satrapsc. 409 CE · Malwa and Gujarat region, IndiaChandragupta II Vikramaditya defeats the Western Kshatrapas, annexing Gujarat and securing access to the lucrative Indian Ocean trade routes.Islamic Conquest of the Sasanian Empire WarIslamic Conquest of the Sasanian Empire637 CE · Ctesiphon, Iraq (Persia)Arab Muslim forces defeat the Sasanian Empire at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, ending centuries of Persian rule.Viking Siege of Paris WarViking Siege of Paris885 CE · Paris, FranceViking raiders led by Sigfred besiege Paris for over a year, testing the defenses of West Francia.Chola Conquest of Sri Lanka WarChola Conquest of Sri Lankac. 993 CE · Anuradhapura, Sri LankaRajaraja Chola launches a massive amphibious invasion of Sri Lanka, defeating the Sinhalese kingdom and annexing the island.Rajendra Chola I's Ganges Expedition WarRajendra Chola I's Ganges Expeditionc. 1025 CE · Bengal to Ganges Delta, IndiaRajendra Chola I leads a northern expedition reaching the Ganges River, defeating Pala kings and bringing holy water back to Thanjavur.Chola Invasion of Srivijaya WarChola Invasion of Srivijayac. 1025 CE · Palembang, Sumatra, IndonesiaRajendra Chola I launches a naval raid on the Srivijaya Empire, disrupting its control over the Strait of Malacca and securing trade routes.Rajendra Chola I's Expedition to Southeast Asia WarRajendra Chola I's Expedition to Southeast Asiac. 1025 CE · Kedah (modern Malaysia)Chola Emperor Rajendra I launches a massive naval raid on Srivijaya, projecting Indian power across the Bay of Bengal.Mahmud of Ghazni's Sack of Somnath WarMahmud of Ghazni's Sack of Somnathc. 1026 CE · Somnath, Gujarat, IndiaMahmud of Ghazni leads a raid on the Somnath Temple, destroying the structure and looting its immense wealth to fund his empire.Battle of Hastings WarBattle of HastingsOctober 14, 1066 CE · Hastings, EnglandNorman forces defeat Anglo-Saxon army, permanently altering English language and culture.Hogen Rebellion WarHogen Rebellion1156 CE · Kyoto, JapanCivil war between rival imperial factions leads to the rise of samurai power.Ghurid Conquest of Delhi WarGhurid Conquest of Delhic. 1192 CE · Delhi, IndiaMuhammad of Ghor defeats Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain, establishing Muslim rule over North India.Mongol Invasion of Khwarezmia WarMongol Invasion of Khwarezmiac. 1219 CE · Urgench, Khwarazm (modern Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan)Genghis Khan launches a massive invasion of the Khwarezmian Empire, destroying its cities and ending Persian dominance in Central Asia.Mongol Destruction of the Khwarazmian Empire WarMongol Destruction of the Khwarazmian Empirec. 1220 CE · Samarkand/Urgench, Central AsiaGenghis Khan's armies devastate the Khwarazmian Empire, razing cities and altering the demographic map of Central Asia.Mongol Invasion of Goryeo Begins WarMongol Invasion of Goryeo Begins1231 CE · Seoul (Kaesong), KoreaMongol forces under Sartai invade Goryeo, initiating decades of conflict.Mongol Invasion of the Delhi Sultanate WarMongol Invasion of the Delhi Sultanatec. 1241 CE · Lahore (modern Pakistan)Mongol forces under Tarmashirin invade the Punjab and sack Lahore, testing the defenses of the Delhi Sultanate.Mongol Invasion of Japan (Kamikaze) WarMongol Invasion of Japan (Kamikaze)1281 CE · Hakata Bay (Fukuoka), JapanA typhoon destroys the second Mongol invasion fleet.Battle of Siem Reap (Khmer-Siamese War) WarBattle of Siem Reap (Khmer-Siamese War)1352 CE · Siem Reap, CambodiaSiam attacks Angkor, leading to the eventual decline of the Khmer Empire.Rise of Timur (Tamerlane) and Conquest of Delhi WarRise of Timur (Tamerlane) and Conquest of Delhi1398 CE · Delhi, IndiaTimur invades the Delhi Sultanate, sacking the city and temporarily ending Mamluk rule in Northern India.Timur's Sack of Delhi WarTimur's Sack of Delhic. 1398 CE · Delhi, IndiaTimur (Tamerlane) invades the Delhi Sultanate, defeating the Tughlaqs and massacring the city's population before retreating.Ming Conquest of Dai Viet (Fourth Era) WarMing Conquest of Dai Viet (Fourth Era)1407 CE · Hanoi (Thang Long), VietnamMing forces capture the Ho Dynasty and annex Vietnam.Le Dynasty Restoration (Lam Son Uprising) WarLe Dynasty Restoration (Lam Son Uprising)1418 CE · Lam Son (Thanh Hoa, Vietnam)Le Loi initiates the Lam Son Uprising against Ming occupation.Ming Occupation of Vietnam Ends WarMing Occupation of Vietnam Ends1427 CE · Dong Da (Hanoi), VietnamLe Loi defeats the Ming army at Dong Da, ending occupation.Fall of Angkor Thom to Ayutthaya WarFall of Angkor Thom to Ayutthaya1431 CE · Angkor Thom, CambodiaAyutthaya forces sack Angkor Thom, leading to the empire's relocation.Fall of Constantinople WarFall of ConstantinopleMay 29, 1453 · Constantinople (Istanbul), TurkeyOttoman Turks conquer the Byzantine capital, ending the Roman Empire.Babur's Victory at Panipat and Founding of Mughals WarBabur's Victory at Panipat and Founding of Mughalsc. 1526 CE · Panipat (modern Haryana/India)Babur defeats the Lodi Sultanate at the First Battle of Panipat, establishing the Mughal Empire in India.Sack of Rome WarSack of RomeMay 6, 1527 · Rome, ItalyMutinous troops of Charles V brutally loot Rome, ending the High Renaissance.Babur's Victory at Khanwa WarBabur's Victory at Khanwac. 1527 CE · Khanwa, Rajasthan, IndiaBabur defeats the Rajput confederacy led by Rana Sanga, consolidating Mughal rule over North India.Battle of Talikota and Fall of Vijayanagara WarBattle of Talikota and Fall of Vijayanagarac. 1565 CE · Talikota, Karnataka, IndiaThe Deccan Sultanates defeat the Vijayanagara Empire in a decisive battle, leading to the sack of Hampi and the empire's collapse.Defeat of the Spanish Armada WarDefeat of the Spanish ArmadaAugust 8, 1588 · English Channel, near Plymouth, UKEnglish fleet and storms destroy the Spanish Armada, shifting naval dominance.Aurangzeb's Decades-Long Deccan Campaign WarAurangzeb's Decades-Long Deccan Campaignc. 1681 CE · Deccan Plateau, IndiaEmperor Aurangzeb moves his court to the Deccan for a prolonged military campaign against the Marathas and Sultanates.Nader Shah Sacks Delhi and Takes Peacock Throne WarNader Shah Sacks Delhi and Takes Peacock Thronec. 1739 CE · Delhi, IndiaPersian ruler Nader Shah invades the Mughal Empire, defeating the army at Karnal and looting Delhi, taking the Peacock Throne.Battle of Waterloo WarBattle of WaterlooJune 18, 1815 · Waterloo, BelgiumNapoleon Bonaparte is defeated, ending the Napoleonic Wars.First Opium War Begins WarFirst Opium War BeginsSeptember 4, 1839 · Guangzhou, ChinaBritain forces open Chinese trade via war, beginning the Century of Humiliation.Second Boer War Begins WarSecond Boer War BeginsOctober 11, 1899 · Pretoria, South AfricaBritish Empire fights Boer republics, introducing concentration camps.Outbreak of World War I WarOutbreak of World War IJuly 28, 1914 CE · Sarajevo, BosniaAssassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggers a global conflict involving major powers.Attack on Pearl Harbor WarAttack on Pearl HarborDecember 7, 1941 · Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USAJapan attacks US fleet, bringing America into World War II.Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima WarAtomic Bombing of HiroshimaAugust 6, 1945 CE · Hiroshima, JapanUS drops the first nuclear weapon on a city, ending WWII and starting the atomic age.