War in History
Explore 448 historical moments related to war — from pivotal breakthroughs to world-changing events.
📅 11th Century(1)
📅 13th Century(1)
📅 18th Century(4)
Paul Revere born
American silversmith and patriot Paul Revere is born in Boston, Massachusetts. He later becomes famous for his midnight ride.
Washington crosses the Delaware
General George Washington leads the Continental Army across the Delaware River for a surprise attack on Hessian forces at Trenton.
Battle of Princeton boosts the American Revolution
George Washington's army defeats British forces at Princeton, strengthening the Patriot cause during a critical phase of the Revolutionary War.
Storming of the Bastille
Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, a pivotal event in the French Revolution that symbolized the overthrow of the monarchy.
📅 19th Century(7)
Battle of Trafalgar
A major naval battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French and Spanish Navies during the Napoleonic Wars.
Chile proclaims independence
Chile formally proclaims its independence from Spain, securing its place as a sovereign nation in South America.
Abraham Lincoln dies
President Abraham Lincoln dies at 7:22 AM after being shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre the previous evening.
Abraham Lincoln dies
The 16th President of the United States dies from an assassin's bullet at Petersen House in Washington, D.C.
Robert E. Lee dies
Confederate General Robert E. Lee dies in Lexington, Virginia, five years after the end of the American Civil War.
USS Maine Explodes
The USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana Harbor, Cuba. This event significantly contributed to the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor
The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor led to the Spanish-American War. The cause of the explosion remains a subject of debate.
📅 20th Century(215)
First case of 1918 flu pandemic reported
The first confirmed case of the Spanish flu is reported at Fort Riley, Kansas. The pandemic eventually kills 50–100 million people.
Hirano Maru Sunk
The Japanese merchant ship Hirano Maru was sunk by a German submarine in the Celtic Sea during World War I, resulting in 291 lives lost.
Armistice of 11 November 1918
The Armistice of Compiègne was signed by the Allies and Germany, bringing an end to World War I.
Rosa Luxemburg dies
German revolutionary socialist Rosa Luxemburg is killed in Berlin during the Spartacist uprising.
Washington Naval Treaty signed
Representatives from five major powers signed the Washington Naval Treaty, agreeing to limits on naval construction. The treaty aimed to prevent a naval arms race.
Great Syrian Revolt
Rebels led by Fawzi al-Qawuqji captured the city of Hama from the French Mandate of Syria during the Great Syrian Revolt.
Battle of Zhifu
In the first battle of the Warlord Rebellion in northeastern Shandong, a rebel force led by Zhang Zongchang was defeated by Nationalist government troops.
Adolf Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany
Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany marked a pivotal moment in German history, leading to the rise of the Nazi Party and the eventual outbreak of World War II.
Kristallnacht
A series of coordinated attacks against Jewish people and property across Nazi Germany and Austria, marking an escalation of persecution.
Essential Commodities Reserves Act
The Essential Commodities Reserves Act, allowing the British government to build up reserves in anticipation of war, received royal assent.
World War II Begins
Germany invades Poland, triggering declarations of war from France and the United Kingdom. This event is widely considered the start of World War II.
Germany invades Poland
Germany's invasion of Poland marked the beginning of World War II in Europe. This act of aggression triggered declarations of war by France and the United Kingdom.
USS Squalus sinks
The U.S. Navy submarine Squalus sank off the coast of New Hampshire during testing, resulting in the deaths of 26 crew members.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Imperial Japanese Navy launches a surprise military strike on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Pearl Harbor casualties
Over 2,400 Americans are killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, propelling the US into World War II.
German bombs hit neutral Ireland
German forces dropped four bombs on neutral Ireland, killing 28 people and damaging the residence of the President of Ireland.
Łachwa Ghetto uprising against Nazis
Residents of the Łachwa Ghetto in occupied Poland fought unsuccessfully against their Nazi captors. This was possibly the first Jewish ghetto uprising during the Holocaust.
Execution of Otto and Elise Hampel
Otto and Elise Hampel were executed in Berlin for performing acts of resistance against Nazism.
Racial tensions lead to fatal shooting in England
Amid racial tensions, U.S. Army military police shot and killed a black serviceman after a confrontation at a pub in Bamber Bridge, England.
D-Day: Normandy Landings
Allied forces launch the largest amphibious invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France, turning the tide of WWII.
D-Day Landings
Allied forces launch the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy, France. This marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany.
D-Day landings in Normandy
The Allied forces launched the largest seaborne invasion in history on the beaches of Normandy, France. This marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany.
20 July plot to assassinate Hitler
A group of German officers attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler with a bomb at the Wolf's Lair. Hitler survives.
V-E Day: Victory in Europe
Nazi Germany unconditionally surrenders to the Allied forces, ending World War II in Europe.
Atomic bombing of Hiroshima
The United States drops the atomic bomb 'Little Boy' on Hiroshima, Japan, killing an estimated 80,000 people instantly.
Thousands die in Hiroshima
An estimated 80,000 people die instantly from the atomic bombing, with tens of thousands more dying from radiation in the following months.
Pawłokoma massacre
A Polish Home Army unit massacred at least 150 Ukrainian civilians in Pawłokoma, Poland.
Indonesian Independence Proclaimed
The independence of Indonesia was proclaimed by Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta. This act ignited a revolution against the Dutch Empire.
NATO is founded
Twelve countries sign the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C., creating the NATO military alliance.
Korean War begins
The Korean War began when North Korea invaded South Korea.
China enters Korean War
The People's Volunteer Army ambushed the South Korean II Corps at the Battle of Onjong, and elsewhere engaged the 1st Infantry Division at the Battle of Unsan, marking China's entry into the Korean War.
Demonstrations suppressed in Tbilisi
In Tbilisi, Georgia, soldiers suppressed mass demonstrations against Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's policy of de-Stalinization.
Suez Crisis: Khan Yunis massacre
During an invasion of the Gaza Strip as part of the Suez Crisis, Israeli soldiers shot and killed hundreds of Palestinian refugees and local inhabitants in Khan Yunis.
Cuban Revolution succeeds
Fidel Castro's forces overthrow the Batista regime in Cuba, beginning a new era of communist rule in the Western Hemisphere.
Attack on Dominique Mbonyumutwa
Dominique Mbonyumutwa, a Hutu sub-chief, was attacked by Tutsi activists, an event that precipitated the Rwandan Revolution.
1960 South Vietnamese coup attempt
A coup attempt by the Army of the Republic of Vietnam against President Ngô Đình Diệm was crushed after he falsely promised reform, allowing loyalists to rescue him.
Khrushchev Announces Capture of U-2 Pilot
Nikita Khrushchev announced that the Soviet Union was holding American pilot Francis Gary Powers. Powers' spy plane had been shot down six days prior.
Congo Crisis invasion
Armée Nationale Congolaise forces launched an invasion of South Kasai. This was done to stop the secession of South Kasai from the Republic of Congo.
South Korean Military Coup
Led by Park Chung-hee, the Military Revolution Committee carried out a bloodless coup against the government of Yun Posun in Seoul, ending the Second Republic of Korea.
Adolf Eichmann sentenced to death
Former Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann was sentenced to death after being found guilty on fifteen criminal charges. These included war crimes and crimes against humanity.
North Yemen Civil War Begins
The North Yemen Civil War began when Abdullah al-Sallal declared Yemen a republic.
Buddhist Crisis in Huế
In Huế, South Vietnam, soldiers fired on Buddhist protesters. The protest was against a ban on flying the Buddhist flag on Phật Đản, resulting in nine deaths and sparking the Buddhist crisis.
USS Thresher sinks
The U.S. Navy nuclear submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) sank with all hands lost during deep-diving tests in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 10, 1963.
South Vietnamese Secret Police Attack Journalists
The secret police of Ngô Đình Nhu attacked American journalists covering a protest during the Buddhist crisis in South Vietnam.
US orders Ambassador to encourage Diem's ouster
The U.S. State Department ordered Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. to encourage South Vietnamese Army officers to oust Ngo Dinh Diem. This was part of the Buddhist crisis.
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty takes effect
The Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty went into effect. It prohibits all test detonations of nuclear weapons except for those conducted underground.
Execution of Lê Quang Tung
Lê Quang Tung, head of South Vietnam's Special Forces, was executed following a U.S.-backed coup against President Ngô Đình Diệm.
Zanzibar Revolution
Sultan Jamshid bin Abdullah was overthrown by rebels led by John Okello. This event ended 200 years of Arab dominance in Zanzibar.
USAF T-39 shot down over East Germany
Three U.S. Air Force pilots aboard an unarmed T-39 Sabreliner were killed when the aircraft was shot down over Erfurt, East Germany, by a Soviet MiG-19.
Gabonese coup d'état
Gabonese military officers overthrew President Léon M'ba. French forces reinstated him two days later, honoring a 1960 treaty.
South Vietnamese Power-Sharing Arrangement
South Vietnamese junta leader Nguyễn Khánh entered into a triumvirate power-sharing arrangement with rival generals Trần Thiện Khiêm and Dương Văn Minh.
China becomes a nuclear power
With the success of Project 596, China became the world's fifth nuclear power.
Rhodesia declares independence
Rhodesia, led by Prime Minister Ian Smith, unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom.
Attempted Coup in South Vietnam
Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo, along with Generals Lâm Văn Phát and Trần Thiện Khiêm, attempted a coup against the military junta of Nguyễn Khánh.
Indonesian attack on Plaman Mapu repelled
British forces repelled a surprise Indonesian attack on a base at Plaman Mapu in Sarawak during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation.
Battle of Long Tan
During the Vietnam War, members of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment were surrounded by a much larger Viet Cong unit but held them off until reinforcements arrived.
Burundi Republic Declared
Michel Micombero led a military coup in Burundi on November 28, 1966, abolishing the monarchy and establishing a republic with himself as president.
Principality of Sealand Proclaimed
Paddy Roy Bates proclaimed HM Fort Roughs, a former World War II Maunsell Sea Fort, as the independent sovereign state: the Principality of Sealand.
Battle of Huế
South Vietnamese forces, led by Ngô Quang Trưởng, recaptured the citadel of Huế during the Vietnam War.
Operation Truong Cong Dinh Begins
The United States and South Vietnam began Operation Truong Cong Dinh to sweep the area surrounding the Mekong Delta town of Mỹ Tho to root out Viet Cong forces.
Amanullah Asaduzzaman killed
Bengali student activist Amanullah Asaduzzaman was shot and killed by East Pakistani police. This event led to the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Collision Between HMAS Melbourne and USS Frank E. Evans
During a SEATO exercise, the HMAS Melbourne collided with the USS Frank E. Evans in the South China Sea. The USS Frank E. Evans was cut in two, resulting in the deaths of 74 personnel.
The Troubles Erupt in Derry
Riots erupted in the Bogside neighborhood of Derry on August 12, 1969, spreading across much of Northern Ireland and marking a significant escalation of The Troubles.
Nixon's "silent majority" speech
U.S. president Richard Nixon made a plea for support from the "silent majority". This referred to Americans who did not join in the large demonstrations against the Vietnam War.
Hard Hat Riot
Construction workers attacked students and protesters in New York City. The protest was against the Vietnam War.
Charles de Gaulle dies
Former French President Charles de Gaulle dies at age 79 in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises.
Gdynia massacre during Polish protests
Polish soldiers fired at workers emerging from trains in Gdynia. This event marked the beginning of a government crackdown on mass anti-communist protests.
End of Nigerian Civil War
The self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra surrendered to the federal government, ending the Nigerian Civil War after less than three years of independence.
Bangladesh declares independence
Leaders in East Pakistan proclaim the independence of Bangladesh, beginning a war for national liberation.
General Đỗ Cao Trí Dies in Helicopter Crash
During the Vietnam War, South Vietnamese General Đỗ Cao Trí was killed in a helicopter crash. He was en route to take command of Operation Lam Son 719.
Soyuz 11 disaster
The Soyuz 11 spacecraft experienced uncontrolled decompression during reentry, killing three Soviet cosmonauts—the only human deaths to have occurred in space.
Bangladesh Liberation War ends
The surrender of Pakistani forces in Dacca, East Pakistan, concluded the Bangladesh Liberation War and the India-Pakistan War.
Sabena Flight 571 Hijacking
Four members of Black September hijacked Sabena Flight 571. They demanded the release of 315 Palestinians convicted on terrorism charges.
Ghanaian coup d'état
Ghanaian military officer Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led a coup to overthrow Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia and President Edward Akufo-Addo.
Shoichi Yokoi found
Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was found in the jungles of Guam, where he had been hiding since the end of World War II.
Vietnam War: Easter Offensive Begins
North Vietnamese forces launched the Easter Offensive, aiming to gain territory and destroy South Vietnamese units.
Lod Airport Massacre
Members of the Japanese Red Army carried out the Lod Airport massacre in Tel Aviv, Israel, killing over 20 people and injuring almost 80 others.
Munich Massacre at Olympic Games
The Palestinian militant group Black September took hostage eleven Israeli athletes and coaches at the Olympic Games in Munich. All of the hostages were killed less than 24 hours later.
First release of American prisoners from Hanoi
The first group of American prisoners of war is released from North Vietnam following the Paris Peace Accords.
Chilean coup d'état
General Augusto Pinochet leads a military coup against President Salvador Allende in Chile, who dies during the siege.
Salvador Allende dies
Chilean President Salvador Allende dies during the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet.
Deepest Submarine Rescue
A 76-hour multinational rescue effort in the Irish Sea resulted in the deepest sub rescue in history.
John McCain Released from POW Camp
U.S. Navy pilot John McCain was released from captivity by North Vietnamese forces. He was among 109 prisoners of war released after five and a half years.
Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 shot down
Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 was shot down by Israeli fighter aircraft over the Sinai Peninsula, killing 108 people.
Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Kissinger and Thọ
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize would be jointly awarded to Henry Kissinger and Lê Đức Thọ, sparking international controversy.
Yom Kippur War: Battle of the Chinese Farm
Egyptian forces retreated from the Battle of the Chinese Farm, allowing Israeli forces to build their first bridge across the Suez Canal.
F-16 Fighting Falcon first flight
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, the most numerous fixed-wing aircraft currently in military service, made its first flight.
Helicopter lands on White House South Lawn
A U.S. Army soldier stole a Bell UH-1 helicopter and landed it on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.
Dublin and Monaghan Bombings
The Ulster Volunteer Force detonated car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan, Ireland, killing 34 people and injuring almost 300 others.
Alvor Agreement Signed
Portugal and nationalist factions UNITA, MPLA, and FNLA signed the Alvor Agreement, ending the Angolan War of Independence.
Operation Babylift Plane Crash
During the Vietnam War, a U.S. Air Force plane crash-landed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base while evacuating children from South Vietnam. The crash killed 78 children and 60 other people.
Khmer Rouge capture Phnom Penh
The Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh, ending the Cambodian Civil War and establishing the socialist state of Democratic Kampuchea.
South Vietnamese President Resigns
South Vietnamese president Nguyễn Văn Thiệu resigned on hearing of the fall of Xuân Lộc. This marked the last battle of the Vietnam War.
Mayaguez Incident
On May 12, 1975, the Cambodian navy seized the American container ship SS Mayaguez in what they claimed to be Cambodian territorial waters. This incident led to a military response from the United States.
Operation Entebbe
Israeli forces raided Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to free hostages from Air France Flight 139, taken by hijackers.
Explosion at ammunition factory in Finland
Forty people died in an explosion at an ammunition factory in Lapua, Finland.
Japan completes war reparations to Philippines
Japan completed its last reparation to the Philippines for war crimes committed during imperial Japan's conquest of the country in the Second World War.
Moscow bombings
Three bombs attributed to Armenian nationalists exploded across Moscow. Seven people were killed and 37 people were injured.
Libyan raid on Sallum
Libyan forces carried out a raid at Sallum, sparking a four-day war with Egypt.
Belfast Restaurant Bombing
On February 17, 1978, the Provisional Irish Republican Army bombed a restaurant near Belfast, Northern Ireland, killing twelve people and injuring thirty others.
Vietnamese forces capture Phnom Penh
Vietnamese troops and Cambodian rebels seize Phnom Penh, toppling the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.
Tanzanian forces attack Mutukula
Tanzanian forces attacked the Ugandan town of Mutukula on January 22, 1979, causing Ugandan forces to retreat.
Uganda–Tanzania War
Ugandan government forces fled Masaka as the Tanzania People's Defence Force bombarded and captured the town during the Uganda–Tanzania War.
Uganda War Ends
Tanzanian forces secured Uganda's western border, marking the end of a seven-month war after deposing President Idi Amin.
Carter Authorizes Covert Aid to Mujahideen
US president Jimmy Carter signed a presidential finding authorizing covert operations to aid the mujahideen against the Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
Warrenpoint Ambush and Mountbatten Assassination
During The Troubles, the IRA ambushed and killed 18 British soldiers near Warrenpoint and assassinated Lord Mountbatten on his boat at Mullaghmore.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet government deployed troops in Afghanistan, starting the Soviet–Afghan War.
Sumpul River massacre
During the Salvadoran Civil War, refugees fleeing across the Sumpul River were attacked by Salvadoran and Honduran forces, resulting in at least 300 deaths.
Rhodesian Bush War incident
Rhodesian Bush War: Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army cadres attacked Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army troops. This incident killed over 60 soldiers and started the 1981 Entumbane uprising.
Jaffna Library Burning
An organized mob of police and government-sponsored Sinhalese paramilitary forces began three days of attacks that led to the burning of the Jaffna Library in Sri Lanka.
Osirak nuclear reactor attack
The Israeli Air Force attacked the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq, assuming it was being used to produce plutonium for a nuclear-weapons program.
First flight of F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, the first operational aircraft designed for stealth technology, made its maiden flight.
Iran breaks Iraqi siege of Abadan
Iran–Iraq War: Iran broke the Iraqi siege of Abadan by Operation Samen-ol-A'emeh.
Al-Dawa suicide bombing in Beirut
The Iraqi Shia Islamist group al-Dawa carried out one of the first modern suicide bombings, targeting the Iraqi embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. The attack resulted in 61 deaths and at least 100 injuries.
Falklands War Friendly Fire Incident
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Cardiff engaged and destroyed a British Army helicopter in a friendly-fire incident during the Falklands War.
Hyde Park and Regent's Park bombings
The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated two bombs in London's Hyde Park and Regent's Park, killing eleven British Army personnel and seven horses.
Thatcher on Falklands War
British prime minister Margaret Thatcher told journalists to "rejoice" upon hearing news of the successful recapture of South Georgia from Argentine forces in the Falklands War.
HMS Sheffield sunk in Falklands War
During the Falklands War, HMS Sheffield was struck by an Exocet missile, leading to its sinking. This was the first Royal Navy ship sunk in action since World War II.
Falklands War nuclear weapons decision
The British War Cabinet ordered that nuclear depth bombs on British ships return home during the Falklands War.
Assassination Attempt on Israeli Ambassador
An assassination attempt was made on Shlomo Argov, the Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom. This event triggered Israel's decision to invade Lebanon three days later.
Falklands War: Argentine Air Force attacks British ships
During the Falklands War, the Argentine Air Force attacked British transport ships, killing 56 British servicemen and wounding 150 others.
Falklands War: Hercules attacked
During the Falklands War, the Argentine Air Force attacked the neutral oil tanker Hercules in the South Atlantic.
Operation Mole Cricket 19
The Israeli Air Force carried out Operation Mole Cricket 19, successfully suppressing Syrian air defenses in the Beqaa Valley, Lebanon.
Falklands War surrender
Falklands War: British prime minister Margaret Thatcher announced that white flags were flying over Port Stanley, in advance of the formal surrender of Argentine forces on June 14, 1982.
Korean Air Lines Flight 007 shot down
A Soviet jet interceptor shot down the civilian Korean Air Lines Flight 007 near Sakhalin, killing all 269 people on board.
Harrods bombing in London
The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a car bomb outside Harrods department store. The attack killed six people and injured about 90 others.
Reagan's "Evil Empire" Speech
On March 8, 1983, U.S. President Ronald Reagan described the Soviet Union as an "evil empire" in a speech to the National Association of Evangelicals.
Stanislav Petrov False Alarm
Soviet lieutenant colonel Stanislav Petrov averted a potential nuclear war by correctly identifying a missile attack warning as a false alarm.
Assassination Attempt on Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams, the leader of Sinn Féin, was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt. The attack was carried out by Ulster Freedom Fighters in central Belfast, Northern Ireland.
US warships enter Black Sea
American warships Yorktown and Caron entered Soviet territorial waters in the Black Sea, asserting the right of innocent passage. This action led to a collision with Soviet ships.
Netherlands and Isles of Scilly declare peace
After a 335-year "war" without casualties, the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly officially declared peace.
Loughgall Ambush
A British Special Air Service unit ambushed an Irish Republican Army unit in Loughgall, Northern Ireland. Eight IRA members and one civilian were killed.
USS Stark Attacked
An Iraqi jet fired two Exocet missiles at the American frigate USS Stark, killing 37 personnel and injuring 21 others.
Iran-Iraq War: SS Bridgeton damaged
In opposition to the American plan to protect Kuwaiti tankers, Iran laid mines and damaged the SS Bridgeton, resulting in a propaganda victory for Iran.
Burundian president deposed in coup
While he was abroad, Burundian president Jean-Baptiste Bagaza was deposed in a military coup d'état. Pierre Buyoya seized power.
Operation Pawan
The Indian Peace Keeping Force began Operation Pawan to take control of Jaffna from the Tamil Tigers during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Iran–Iraq War: U.S. destroys Iranian oil platforms
U.S. Navy forces destroyed two Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf. This action was in response to an earlier Iranian missile attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker.
Enniskillen Bombing
A Provisional Irish Republican Army bomb exploded during a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. The attack killed 12 people and injured 63 others.
China-Vietnam Naval Skirmish
China defeated Vietnam in a naval altercation near the Spratly Islands. China was attempting to establish oceanographic observation posts in the disputed territory.
B-2 Spirit stealth bomber public debut
The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber of the United States Air Force was first displayed in public on November 22, 1988. The event took place at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.
Nagorno-Karabakh votes to secede
The Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast voted to secede from Azerbaijan and join Armenia on February 20, 1988, triggering the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Operation Flavius
During Operation Flavius, the SAS killed three Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers who were planning to bomb a British military parade in Gibraltar.
Halabja Chemical Attack
On March 16, 1988, Iraqi forces attacked the Kurdish town of Halabja with chemical weapons, killing up to 5,000 people during the Iran–Iraq War.
Battle of Afabet
Eritrean People's Liberation Front troops encircled Ethiopian forces, gaining a decisive victory in the Eritrean War of Independence.
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty ratified
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was ratified, banning all American and Soviet land-based missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 km.
Iran Air Flight 655 Shot Down
The US Navy warship Vincennes shot down Iran Air Flight 655 over the Persian Gulf, resulting in the deaths of all 290 people on board.
Malayan Communist Party Peace Accord
The Malayan Communist Party and the Malaysian government signed a peace accord. This agreement ended a 21-year communist insurgency.
USS Iowa Gun Turret Explosion
A gun turret exploded on board the United States Navy battleship Iowa, killing 47 sailors.
Tropical Storm Cecil
Tropical Storm Cecil dissipated over Laos after devastating Quảng Nam province, Vietnam, and causing the deaths of 751 people.
Tiananmen Square protests suppressed
The People's Liberation Army suppressed the Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Bus Attack
A Palestinian Islamic Jihad member hijacked a bus and forced it into a ravine near Kiryat Ye'arim, Israel, in a suicide attack.
IRA firefight in County Fermanagh
The Provisional Irish Republican Army engaged in a fierce firefight with the King's Own Scottish Borderers at a vehicle checkpoint complex in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. This incident was part of The Troubles.
Manuel Noriega Surrenders
During the United States invasion of Panama, Manuel Noriega, the deposed strongman of Panama, surrendered to American forces.
Soviet crackdown in Baku
The Soviet Red Army violently cracked down on Azeri pro-independence demonstrations in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR.
Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt
Jamaat al Muslimeen, a radical Islamic group, began a coup attempt against the government of Trinidad and Tobago by taking hostages, including Prime Minister A. N. R. Robinson.
Assassination of Ian Gow
British Conservative MP Ian Gow was killed outside his home in a car bombing by the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
General Schwarzkopf Issues Order No. 1
Gulf War: US General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. issued General Order No. 1 prohibiting US troops from consuming alcohol or possessing pornographic material.
Lockheed YF-22 Prototype First Flight
The Lockheed YF-22, the prototype for the F-22 Raptor, made its first flight.
Italian Air Force Jet Crashes into School
An Italian Air Force military jet crashed into a high school near Bologna, killing 12 students and injuring 88 others. The crash occurred on December 6, 1990, after the pilot abandoned the aircraft due to an on-board fire.
Battle of Khafji
The first major ground engagement of the Gulf War, the Iraqi invasion of Khafji, Saudi Arabia, began. Coalition forces recaptured the city three days later.
Gulf War Bombing of Baghdad Shelter
The United States Air Force dropped two laser-guided bombs on an air-raid shelter in Baghdad, killing at least 408 civilians. The site was believed to be a military command site.
Croatian Independence Referendum
With the local Serb population boycotting the referendum, Croatians voted in favour of independence from Yugoslavia.
Brioni Agreement Ends Ten-Day War
The Brioni Agreement was signed, officially ending the Ten-Day War between SFR Yugoslavia and Slovenia during the Yugoslav Wars.
Croatian War of Independence
The Yugoslav People's Army conducted an air strike on Banski Dvori, the official residence of the president of Croatia in Zagreb.
Battle of the Dalmatian Channels Begins
Croatian naval commandos attacked the Yugoslav patrol boat Mukos, starting the Battle of the Dalmatian Channels during the Croatian War of Independence.
Helicopter Shot Down in Nagorno-Karabakh
An Azerbaijani military helicopter carrying a peacekeeping mission was shot down in Nagorno-Karabakh on November 20, 1991. This event disrupted ongoing peace talks during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Croatian War of Independence Operation Whirlwind failure
The Croatian Army retreated after the failure of Operation Whirlwind, destroying their tanks to avoid their capture. This marked a significant setback in the Croatian War of Independence.
Bosnian War begins
A Bosnian-Serb wedding procession was attacked in Sarajevo, marking the first casualty of the Bosnian War.
USS Missouri Decommissioned
The USS Missouri, the last active United States Navy battleship, was decommissioned in Long Beach, California.
Maraga massacre
Dozens of Armenian civilians were massacred in the village of Maraga by Azerbaijani forces during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War on April 10, 1992.
Battle of the Miljevci Plateau
The Battle of the Miljevci Plateau ended after a failed counterattack by forces of the Republic of Serbian Krajina against the Croatian Army.
Operation Tiger Concludes
During the Croatian War of Independence, the Croatian Army concluded Operation Tiger. They advanced 17 kilometers into the Dubrovnik hinterland.
Vietnam Airlines Flight 474 Crash
In poor conditions caused by Cyclone Forrest, Vietnam Airlines Flight 474 crashed near Nha Trang, killing 30 people.
US troops deployed to Somalia
U.S. president George H. W. Bush ordered American troops into Somalia to help provide humanitarian aid and restore order. This occurred during the ongoing Somali Civil War.
Battle of Mogadishu shocks global audiences
Fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia, results in heavy casualties and becomes one of the defining military incidents of the 1990s.
Stari Most destroyed
During the Bosnian War, Croatian Defence Council forces destroyed the Stari Most, a 16th-century bridge in Mostar.
Warrington bombings
Two children were killed by the second of two Provisional Irish Republican Army bomb attacks in Warrington, England, on March 20, 1993.
Operation Deny Flight
NATO forces began Operation Deny Flight on April 12, 1993, to enforce a no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was ordered by the United Nations Security Council.
Bishopsgate bombing
The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a truck bomb in London's financial district, causing significant damage and one fatality. The cost of repairs was estimated at £350 million.
Halloween party attack in Northern Ireland
During The Troubles, three members of the Ulster Defence Association opened fire in a crowded pub during a Halloween party on October 30, 1993. Eight people were killed and nineteen others were wounded.
Rwandan Genocide Begins
The Rwandan genocide began a few hours after the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana, with hundreds of thousands killed in the following 100 days.
Loughinisland massacre
During The Troubles, Ulster Volunteer Force members attacked a crowded bar in Loughinisland, Northern Ireland, killing six people.
Angolan Civil War Ceasefire
On November 20, 1994, the Angolan government signed a ceasefire with UNITA rebels under the Lusaka Protocol. This attempt to end the Angolan Civil War ultimately failed.
Samashki Massacre
During the First Chechen War, Russian paramilitary troops began a massacre of hundreds of civilians in Samashki, Chechnya.
Scott O'Grady shot down over Bosnia
U.S. Air Force captain Scott O'Grady was shot down while patrolling the NATO no-fly zone over Bosnia during the Bosnian War. He ejected safely and was rescued six days later.
Sri Lanka Air Force bombs Navaly church
During the Sri Lankan civil war, the Sri Lanka Air Force bombed a church in Navaly, killing at least 147 people after advising civilians to seek shelter there.
Operation Southern Move
The Croatian Army and Croatian Defence Council launched Operation Southern Move, their last offensive in the Bosnian War.
NATO-led IFOR begins peacekeeping in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The NATO-led Implementation Force began peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina on December 20, 1995. This was mandated by the Dayton Agreement that ended the Bosnian War.
Kizlyar hostage crisis
Chechen separatists launched raids in Kizlyar, Dagestan, initiating the Kizlyar hostage crisis during the First Chechen War. Thousands of civilians were involved.
London Docklands Bombing
The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a truck bomb in the London Docklands, breaking a seventeen-month ceasefire. The attack killed two people and injured over a hundred others.
Qana Shelling During Operation Grapes of Wrath
On April 18, 1996, Israeli forces shelled Qana, Lebanon, during Operation Grapes of Wrath. The attack on a United Nations compound killed at least 100 civilians.
Manchester bombing
The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a truck bomb in Manchester, England, injuring more than 200 people and causing widespread damage.
Taliban Seize Kabul
The Taliban drove Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani out of Kabul, murdered former president Mohammad Najibullah, and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Chemical Weapons Convention Enters into Force
The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force, outlawing the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. This was ratified by 87 countries.
Republic of the Congo Civil War
President Pascal Lissouba of the Republic of the Congo ordered the detention of his rival Denis Sassou Nguesso, initiating a civil war.
Northern Ireland Unrest
Five days of unrest began in nationalist districts of Northern Ireland in response to the Drumcree conflict, part of The Troubles.
IRA Resumes Ceasefire
The Provisional Irish Republican Army announced it would resume its ceasefire, ending its 28-year campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland.
1998 U.S. embassy bombings in Africa
Car bombs exploded simultaneously at the American embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, killing over 200 people and injuring more than 4,000.
Taliban raid Iranian consulate
The Taliban raided the Iranian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. This resulted in the deaths of 10 Iranian diplomats and a journalist.
Omagh Bombing
A car bomb attack carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army killed 29 people and injured approximately 220 others in Omagh, Northern Ireland.
Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory destroyed
The Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan was destroyed by a U.S. missile strike. This was in retaliation for the August 7 U.S. embassy bombings.
Kosovo War ambush
Yugoslav forces ambushed a group of Kosovo Liberation Army militants attempting to smuggle weapons into Yugoslavia from Albania.
Arrest of Abdullah Öcalan
Abdullah Öcalan, a key figure in the Kurdistan Workers' Party, was apprehended by Turkish security forces in Nairobi, Kenya. His arrest marked a significant development in the conflict involving the PKK.
Izbica Massacre
During the Kosovo War, Serbian police and special forces killed approximately 93 Kosovo Albanians in Izbica village.
Niger's President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara assassinated
Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, President of Niger, was shot dead by soldiers in Niamey.
Kargil War Begins
The Kargil War commenced when Indian forces discovered Pakistani infiltration in Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir.
Kosovo War: US Bombs Chinese Embassy
During NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia, the United States mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.
Kumanovo Agreement Signed
The Kumanovo Agreement was signed, bringing an end to the Kosovo War the next day.
KFOR enters Kosovo
In the aftermath of the bombing of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo War, the NATO-led Kosovo Force entered Kosovo with a mandate to establish a secure environment.
Armenian Parliament Shooting
Armed men led by Nairi Hunanyan carried out a mass shooting at the Armenian parliament. Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, National Assembly speaker Karen Demirchyan, and six others were killed.
Massacre in Grozny
Russian forces executed at least 60 civilians in the Novye Aldi suburb of Grozny during the final stages of the Battle of Grozny.
Kursk Submarine Disaster
The Russian Navy submarine Kursk suffered an explosion and sank in the Barents Sea on August 12, 2000, during a military exercise, killing all 118 crew members.
Operation Barras
British forces freed soldiers and civilians held captive by the West Side Boys, contributing to the end of the Sierra Leone Civil War.
Real IRA attack on MI6 headquarters
The Real Irish Republican Army carried out a rocket-launcher attack on the MI6 headquarters in London on September 20, 2000, with no casualties and minimal damage.
Muhammad al-Durrah shooting
Twelve-year-old Muhammad al-Durrah was shot dead in the Gaza Strip, an event that sparked controversy and debate.
📅 21th Century(220)
September 11 attacks
Terrorists hijack four commercial airplanes, crashing two into the World Trade Center in New York and one into the Pentagon.
USS Greeneville Collides with Ehime Maru
The American submarine USS Greeneville collided with the Japanese training vessel Ehime Maru. The collision resulted in the sinking of the Ehime Maru and the deaths of nine people.
Sampit conflict
Inter-ethnic violence between the Dayak and the Madurese broke out in Sampit, Indonesia. This caused more than 500 deaths and the displacement of 100,000 Madurese.
Hainan Island incident
An American EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft and a Chinese fighter jet collided off the coast of Hainan Island, leading to an international dispute.
Bangladesh–India border skirmishes
India and Bangladesh engaged in a six-day conflict over their disputed border, which concluded in a stalemate.
Jerusalem restaurant bombing
A suicide bomber attacked a pizza restaurant in Jerusalem during the Second Intifada, killing 15 people and wounding 130 others.
Assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud
Two al-Qaeda attackers assassinated Ahmad Shah Massoud, a pivotal Afghan resistance leader. This occurred two days before the September 11 attacks in the United States.
MV Karine A Seized
During the Second Intifada, Israeli forces seized the MV Karine A, which was carrying 50 tons of smuggled weapons on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
Netanya suicide bombing and Operation Defensive Shield
A suicide bomber killed around 30 Israeli civilians in Netanya, triggering Operation Defensive Shield, a large-scale counter-terrorist military incursion into the West Bank.
Siege of the Church of the Nativity
During the Second Intifada, Palestinian militants took refuge in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, initiating a month-long siege by Israeli forces.
Israel bombs Hamas leader's home
The Israel Defense Forces bombed the home of Salah Shehade, the leader of the military arm of Hamas. He, his family, and neighboring civilians were killed.
Jerusalem University Bombing
Hamas detonated a bomb at the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The attack killed nine students and injured about 100 more.
Mil Mi-26 helicopter crash in Chechnya
A Russian Mil Mi-26 helicopter was shot down by Chechen separatists, killing 127 people. This event marked the deadliest helicopter crash in history.
Al-Qaeda bombs oil tanker Limburg
Al-Qaeda bombed the oil tanker Limburg, causing oil to leak into the Gulf of Aden.
Global Anti-War Protests Against Iraq Invasion
Millions worldwide participated in anti-war rallies, protesting the impending invasion of Iraq. The demonstrations took place in approximately 800 cities, marking one of history's largest anti-war movements.
Invasion of Iraq Begins
A coalition of forces, led by the United States, begins the invasion of Iraq. The invasion aimed to overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein.
Rachel Corrie Killed by Bulldozer
American peace activist Rachel Corrie was killed by an Israeli armored bulldozer in Rafah on March 16, 2003, while protesting house demolitions.
Jerusalem Bus Bombing
A Hamas suicide bomber killed 23 people and wounded over 130 on a crowded public bus in Jerusalem.
Canal Hotel Bombing
A car bomb destroyed the United Nations headquarters at Baghdad's Canal Hotel, killing Sérgio Vieira de Mello and 21 others.
Haitian president overthrown
Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown following popular rebel uprising.
Haiti coup d'état begins
The National Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Haiti captured Gonaïves, initiating a coup against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's government.
Unrest in Kosovo
Unrest in Kosovo broke out, resulting in deaths, injuries, and the destruction of several Serb Orthodox churches and shrines.
Abu Ghraib prison abuses revealed
The New Yorker published an article detailing accounts of torture and abuse by American military personnel of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison on April 30, 2004.
IRA ends armed campaign
The Provisional Irish Republican Army announced the formal end of its armed campaign. The goal was to overthrow British rule in Northern Ireland and create a united Ireland.
Mauritanian Coup
Mauritanian president Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya was overthrown in a military coup while attending the funeral of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.
Helsinki Agreement Signed
The Helsinki Agreement between the Free Aceh Movement and the Government of Indonesia was signed, ending more than 28 years of fighting.
Haditha massacre
During the Iraq War, a group of United States Marines massacred 25 unarmed civilians in the town of Haditha.
Slobodan Milošević dies
Former President of Serbia and Yugoslavia Slobodan Milošević dies in his cell at The Hague during his war crimes trial.
Slovak Air Force Antonov An-24 Crash
An Antonov An-24 operated by the Slovak Air Force crashed in northern Hungary, killing 42 of the 43 people on board.
Mahmudiyah murders
U.S. Army soldiers gang-raped a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and murdered her along with her family members.
UN Security Council Meets on North Korea
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting after North Korea reportedly tested at least seven ballistic missiles.
Hezbollah initiates conflict with Israel
Hezbollah forces crossed the Israel–Lebanon border, attacking military positions and towns, sparking a five-week war.
Israeli airstrike in Qana
The Israeli Air Force attacked a building near Qana, Lebanon, killing at least 28 civilians, including 16 children during the Lebanon War.
Mutur Massacre
Seventeen employees of the French NGO ACF International were massacred in Mutur during the Sri Lankan civil war.
Mexican drug war begins
The first action in the Mexican drug war began when President Felipe Calderón ordered military and police units into the state of Michoacán.
ETA bombing at Madrid–Barajas Airport
Basque nationalist group ETA detonated a van bomb at Madrid–Barajas Airport in Spain, ending a nine-month ceasefire.
War in Somalia
Transitional Federal Government forces attacked the last stronghold of the Islamic Courts Union in Jilib.
Bronze Soldier of Tallinn Protests
On April 26, 2007, controversy surrounding the relocation of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn erupted into mass protests and riots in Estonia.
Second Bombing at al-Askari Mosque
Insurgents carried out a second bombing at the al-Askari Mosque, a significant site in Shia Islam.
Apache helicopters attack in Baghdad
Two U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters conducted a series of air-to-ground attacks in Baghdad.
Operation Banner Ends
Operation Banner, the British Armed Forces' operation in Northern Ireland, ended after 38 years. The operation concluded with a military stalemate and ceasefire.
Yazidi Bombings in Iraq
Four coordinated suicide bomb attacks detonated in Yazidi communities in Iraq, killing 796 people and wounding 1,562 others.
USAF nuclear weapons incident
Six nuclear warheads were mistakenly loaded onto a United States Air Force heavy bomber. The bomber flew from Minot Air Force Base to Barksdale Air Force Base.
Nuclear Missiles Accidentally Transported
A heavy bomber that had been unintentionally loaded with nuclear missiles flew them from North Dakota to Louisiana before they were recognized.
Nisour Square massacre
Seventeen Iraqi civilians were shot and killed by Academi guards in Baghdad.
B-2 Spirit crash in Guam
A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber crashed on the runway shortly after takeoff from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
Convention on Cluster Munitions Adopted
The Convention on Cluster Munitions was adopted, prohibiting the use, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs.
U.S. airstrike in Afghanistan
A U.S. airstrike in Afghanistan reportedly resulted in the deaths of eleven paramilitary members of the Pakistani Frontier Corps and eight Taliban fighters.
Jerusalem vehicular attack
An Arab man rammed a loader into traffic in Jerusalem, killing three people and injuring 40 others.
Iran conducts Great Prophet III missile test
Believing Israel and the United States planned to attack its nuclear program, Iran conducted the Great Prophet III missile test and war games exercise.
Russia Recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia Independence
After a ceasefire was reached in the Russo-Georgian War, Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing
An explosive-laden truck detonated in front of the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, on September 20, 2008, killing 54 people and injuring 266 others.
Mumbai Attacks
A coordinated group of shooting and bombing attacks across Mumbai began, ultimately killing 175 people and wounding more than 300 others.
Muntadhar al-Zaidi throws shoes at George W. Bush
During a press conference in Baghdad, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at U.S. president George W. Bush and Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, yelling "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq".
Guinean coup d'état
The Guinean military engineered a coup d'état on 12-23-2008, announcing plans to rule for two years before new presidential elections.
Lord's Resistance Army Attacks
The Lord's Resistance Army, a Ugandan rebel group, began attacks on several villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing hundreds.
Sri Lankan Army captures Kilinochchi
The Sri Lankan army captured the town of Kilinochchi from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, concluding the Battle of Kilinochchi. This marked a significant event in the Sri Lankan civil war.
USS Port Royal runs aground
The United States Navy guided missile cruiser Port Royal ran aground on a coral reef off the island of Oahu.
Tamil Tigers suicide attack attempt
The Tamil Tigers attempted to crash two aircraft laden with C-4 in suicide attacks on Colombo, Sri Lanka, on February 20, 2009. The planes were shot down before reaching their targets.
Bangladesh Rifles mutiny
Members of the Bangladesh Rifles began a mutiny at their headquarters in Pilkhana, resulting in 82 deaths.
Omar al-Bashir indicted by ICC
President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan was indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the War in Darfur.
Massereene Barracks Shootings
Two off-duty British Army soldiers were shot dead by Real IRA paramilitaries outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim, Northern Ireland.
North Korea Satellite Launch
North Korea launched the satellite Kwangmyŏngsŏng-2, which passed over Japan. This sparked concerns it was a test of intercontinental ballistic missile technology.
End of Sri Lankan Civil War
The Sri Lanka Army killed Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. This event marked the end of the 26-year Sri Lankan civil war.
North Korea Conducts Nuclear and Missile Tests
North Korea conducted a nuclear test and several missile tests, leading to international condemnation and UN sanctions.
Operation Panther's Claw begins
British forces began Operation Panther's Claw, an aerial assault on Taliban positions in southern Afghanistan.
Taurus 09 Returns
The last vessels involved in Taurus 09, a Royal Navy training deployment covering 20,400 miles, returned to HMNB Devonport, England.
Clashes in Kokang
The Myanmar military junta and ethnic armies began three days of violent clashes in the region of Kokang.
Fort Hood shooting
U.S. Army major Nidal Hasan went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, killing 13 people. This was the worst shooting ever to take place on an American military base.
Yellow Sea Naval Skirmish
A skirmish occurred between South Korean and North Korean naval ships off Daecheong Island in the Yellow Sea.
Mogadishu suicide bombing kills 25
A suicide bombing in Mogadishu, Somalia, resulted in the deaths of 25 people. Among the victims were three ministers of the Transitional Federal Government.
Baghdad Bombings
Multiple bombings in Baghdad, carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq, resulted in at least 127 deaths and 448 injuries. The attacks occurred on December 8, 2009.
Karachi suicide bombing
A suicide bomber attacked a Shia procession commemorating the day of Ashura in Karachi, Pakistan, causing 43 deaths.
Pakistan volleyball game bombing
A suicide bomber killed 105 spectators at a volleyball game in the Lakki Marwat District of Pakistan. The attack occurred on New Year's Day.
Sinking of ROKS Cheonan
The South Korean warship ROKS Cheonan sank in the Yellow Sea after an explosion, allegedly caused by a North Korean torpedo. 46 sailors lost their lives.
Moscow Metro Bombings
Islamist separatists of the Caucasus Emirate detonated two bombs on the Moscow Metro, killing 40 people and injuring 102 others.
Togo national football team attack
Gunmen attacked the bus transporting the Togo national football team to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. Three people were killed.
2010 Nigerien coup d'état
In a coup d'état, military rebels attacked the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger. They replaced President Mamadou Tandja with a ruling junta.
Dantewada Ambush
Insurgents ambushed a Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Dantewada district, India, killing 76 officers.
Kharkiv Pact Signed
Ukraine and Russia signed the Kharkiv Pact. This agreement extended the Russian lease on naval facilities in Crimea.
Thai Military Crackdown on Protests
In Bangkok, the Thai military concluded a week-long crackdown on widespread protests by forcing the surrender of opposition leaders.
Afghanistan Wedding Bombing
A child suicide bomber attacked a wedding in Nadahan, Afghanistan, killing at least 40 people and injuring at least 70 others.
Kampala bombings
The Islamist militia group Al-Shabaab carried out multiple suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, killing 74 people and injuring 85 others.
WikiLeaks publishes Afghanistan War documents
WikiLeaks published 75,000 classified documents about the War in Afghanistan. This was one of the largest leaks in U.S. military history.
Linda Norgrove Kidnapping
Scottish aid worker Linda Norgrove and three Afghan colleagues were kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
US transfers last base in Al Anbar to Iraq
The United States transferred its last base in the Al Anbar Governorate to the Iraqi government. This action marked the end of the Anbar campaign.
Arab Spring in Tunisia
Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country following violent protests, marking a significant moment in the Arab Spring.
UN Resolution 1973
The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1973, authorizing military intervention in Libya to protect civilians during the First Libyan Civil War.
Operation Harmattan begins
The French Air Force launched Opération Harmattan, initiating foreign military intervention in Libya during the First Libyan Civil War.
Killing of Osama bin Laden
Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six in Abbottabad, Pakistan on May 2, 2011. The operation concluded a decade-long manhunt.
Evangelos Florakis Naval Base explosion
An explosion at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base killed 13 people, including the head of the Cyprus Navy.
Monterrey Casino Arson Attack
On August 25, 2011, fifty-two people were killed in an arson attack at a casino in Monterrey, Mexico, as part of the Mexican drug war.
Chilean Air Force Aircraft Crash
Bad weather caused a Chilean Air Force aircraft to crash into the Pacific Ocean, killing all 21 people on board.
Mekong River massacre
Two Chinese cargo ships were attacked and their crews murdered on a stretch of the Mekong River in far northern Thailand.
Death of Muammar Gaddafi
During the First Libyan Civil War, deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was captured by rebel forces in Sirte and killed shortly thereafter.
Bid Kaneh explosion
An explosion in the Shahid Modarres missile base killed 17 members of the Revolutionary Guards, including Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, a key figure in Iran's missile program.
NATO-Pakistani Skirmish
A friendly-fire incident occurred between U.S.-led NATO forces and Pakistani security forces at two military checkposts along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.
Liège attack
A man threw grenades and fired a rifle at crowds in Liège, Belgium, causing 6 deaths and injuring more than 120 others, before killing himself.
Turkish airstrike on villagers
Acting on information that Kurdish militants were crossing the border from Iraqi territory, two Turkish F-16 jets fired at a group of villagers, killing 34 people.
Robert Bales murders civilians in Afghanistan
U.S. Army soldier Robert Bales murdered sixteen civilians and wounded six others in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
Benghazi attack
The American consulate and CIA annex in Libya were attacked by a heavily armed group, resulting in the deaths of U.S. ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three others.
Guinea-Bissau coup d'état
The Guinea-Bissau military seized control in a coup on April 12, 2012, amid a presidential election. Power was later handed to a transitional administration.
Mexican drug war prison riot
Forty-four inmates died in a prison riot in Apodaca, Mexico, between members of Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel.
Azawad Independence Declared
The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad unilaterally declared the region of Azawad independent from Mali.
Burgas Airport bus bombing
A suicide bomber attacked an Israeli tour bus at Burgas Airport, Bulgaria. This led to Hezbollah's military branch being designated a terrorist organization by the EU.
New Irish Republican Army formed
The New Irish Republican Army was formed from a merger of a number of dissident republican militant groups.
Somali Civil War Offensive
Somali National Army forces, alongside AMISOM and Raskamboni allies, launched an offensive against Al-Shabaab in Kismayo.
Kidal suicide bombing
Four Chadian soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing by jihadist rebels in Kidal, Mali, on April 12, 2013.
Bulo Marer Hostage Rescue Attempt
French special forces failed in an attempted rescue of a DGSE agent, who had been taken hostage in 2009 by al-Shabaab, in Bulo Marer, Somalia.
Naxalite Insurgency Attack in Chhattisgarh
Naxalite insurgents attacked a convoy of Indian National Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh, India. The attack resulted in at least 27 deaths.
Kidnapping of Nour Ahmad Nikbakht
Nour Ahmad Nikbakht, an Iranian diplomat in Yemen, was kidnapped by al-Qaeda militants and held hostage for two years.
Ghouta chemical attack
Areas controlled by the Syrian opposition in Ghouta, Damascus, were attacked by rockets containing sarin, killing at least 281 people.
Westgate Shopping Mall Attack
Unidentified gunmen began a three-day attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya. The attack resulted in 67 deaths and at least 175 wounded.
Terrorist attack in Beijing
The first terrorist attack in Beijing's recent history occurred when members of the Turkistan Islamic Party drove a vehicle into a crowd, killing five people and injuring thirty-eight others.
Iranian embassy bombing in Beirut
A double suicide bombing at the Iranian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killed 23 people and injured at least 160 others.
South Sudanese Civil War begins
The South Sudanese Civil War began when three opposition leaders voted to boycott the meeting of the National Liberation Council in Juba.
Kabul Serena Hotel mass shooting
Taliban militants killed nine civilians in a mass shooting at the Kabul Serena Hotel in Afghanistan on March 20, 2014.
Kyiv Protests
A series of violent events began in Kyiv involving protesters, riot police, and unknown shooters. This culminated in the ousting of Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych five days later.
Boko Haram Kidnaps Nigerian Schoolgirls
Boko Haram militants kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from a government secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria.
Odesa clashes
Forty-eight people were killed during a confrontation between pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian unity protesters in Odesa, Ukraine on May 2, 2014. This event was part of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Neville McNamara
Neville McNamara was an Australian air marshal. He was born in 1923.
Nairobi Market Bombings
At least 12 people were killed and 70 others injured when two bombs exploded in a market in Nairobi, Kenya.
Thai coup d'état
Prayut Chan-o-cha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, launched a coup d'état against the caretaker government. This followed six months of political crisis.
Brussels Jewish Museum shooting
A gunman with ties to Islamic extremism opened fire at the Jewish Museum of Belgium in Brussels, killing four people.
War in Donbas
On June 14, 2014, an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force was shot down by forces of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, killing all 49 people on board.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 shot down
Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.
Farafra Ambush
Gunmen ambushed an Egyptian military checkpoint in the Libyan Desert near Farafra, killing 22 soldiers.
Suruç bombing
A suicide attack in Suruç, Turkey, claimed by ISIL, killed 34 people and injured 104 others.
Los Llanos Air Base Crash
A jet fighter crashed at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, Spain, killing 11 people and injuring 21 others.
Mogadishu Hotel Siege Ends
A siege by al-Shabaab militants on a Mogadishu hotel ended, with Somali Armed Forces recapturing the premises. The attack killed at least 20 people.
Garissa University College attack
Gunmen attacked Garissa University College in Kenya, killing 148 people and wounding 79 others.
Islamic State seizes Palmyra
Islamic State militants entered the ancient city of Palmyra. This marked a significant territorial gain for the group in Syria.
Indonesian Air Force plane crash
An Indonesian Air Force military transport aircraft crashed near a residential neighborhood in Medan, killing 139 people.
Assassination of Shuja Khanzada
Suicide bombers assassinated Pakistani politician Shuja Khanzada and killed at least 21 others at his home in Attock District.
Thalys train attack
Passengers on a Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris subdued an attacker who attempted a mass shooting.
Shoreham Airshow crash
A former military aircraft crashed at an airshow at Shoreham Airport in southern England, killing eleven people.
Sidney Phillips
Sidney Phillips was an American soldier, physician, and author, known for his experiences in World War II.
Paris attacks
Coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris perpetrated by the Islamic State killed 130 people and injured 413 others.
Russian Su-24 shot down by Turkish jet
A Russian Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft was shot down by a Turkish fighter jet on November 24, 2015, after allegedly straying into Turkish airspace.
Liu Juying
Chinese general and politician Liu Juying died on December 6, 2015. He was born in 1917.
Atatürk Airport attack
Gunmen attacked Istanbul's Atatürk Airport on June 28, 2016, killing 45 people and injuring more than 230 others.
Turkish Coup Attempt
A faction of the Turkish Armed Forces attempted a coup d'état against the government and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Yemen War funeral bombing
A funeral in Sanaa was hit by two consecutive airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition, leaving 143–155 civilians dead and more than 525 injured.
Raqqa Offensive
The Syrian Democratic Forces launched a military campaign to isolate and capture Raqqa, the Islamic State's capital, during the Syrian Civil War.
Assassination of Andrei Karlov
Andrei Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey, was assassinated at an art gallery in Ankara.
Second Battle of Raqqa
The Syrian Democratic Forces opened the Second Battle of Raqqa, the final phase of the Raqqa campaign, capturing the de facto capital of the Islamic State four months later.
Battle of Tabqa
On May 10, 2017, the Syrian Democratic Forces, with U.S. military assistance, captured the Tabqa Dam and surrounding areas, concluding the Battle of Tabqa during the Syrian Civil War.
Battle of al-Bab
Allied troops led by the Turkish Armed Forces captured the city of al-Bab from the Islamic State during the Syrian civil war.
US military uses most powerful bomb in Afghanistan
In an airstrike in Nangarhar Province, the U.S. military dropped the most powerful conventional bomb ever used in combat. This occurred during the War in Afghanistan.
Massive cyberattack hits Ukrainian organizations
Websites of Ukrainian organizations were swamped by a massive cyberattack, blamed on Russian military hackers, using the malware Petya.
North Korea conducts powerful nuclear test
North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test at Punggye-ri. The test caused a magnitude-6.3 earthquake.
Syrian air defences down Russian plane
The Israeli Air Force conducted missile strikes in Syria. Syrian air defences responded, accidentally downing a Russian plane.
Taliban attack on Kabul hotel
Taliban gunmen attacked and took hostages at the Hotel Inter-Continental Kabul, Afghanistan. The incident sparked a 12-hour battle that left at least 21 people dead.
Lin Hu
Lin Hu, a Chinese lieutenant general, died.
Dahyan bus bombing
A civilian school bus in Dahyan, Yemen, was bombed by Saudi Arabia, killing at least 40 children under 15.
Noah Klieger
Noah Klieger, a Holocaust survivor and award-winning Israeli journalist, has died. He was born in 1926.
Grande Tema Stowaway Incident
Operatives of the British Special Boat Service boarded the container ship Grande Tema to detain four stowaways who had threatened the crew.
Simcha Rotem
Simcha Rotem, last survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, died on 12-22-2018. He was born in 1924.
Rosemary Bryant Mariner
Rosemary Bryant Mariner was a United States Naval Aviator.
Syrian Civil War Airstrike
The U.S. Air Force conducted an airstrike in al-Baghuz Fawqani, reportedly killing up to 80 people, including civilians, during the Syrian civil war.
US Drone Shot Down by Iran
An Iranian aircraft shot down an American drone over the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
Drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities
Drone attacks on major processing facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais forced Saudi Arabia to cut more than half of its oil production on September 14, 2019.
Syrian Civil War Offensive
Turkish forces began an offensive into north-eastern Syria following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), who died by suicide in 1971.
Ragnar Ulstein
Ragnar Ulstein, a Norwegian journalist and war historian, has died. He was born in 1920.
Battle of Shusha
During the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, Azerbaijani forces defeated the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh in the Battle of Shusha, reclaiming the town after 28 years.
Falkland Islands Land Mine Clearance
The British government announced the removal of the last land mine from the Falkland Islands, laid during the 1982 Falklands War.
Hlaingthaya Massacre in Myanmar
Burmese military and police forces killed at least 65 civilians during the Hlaingthaya massacre in Yangon. The victims included protestors against a recent coup d'état.
Roh Tae-woo
Roh Tae-woo was a South Korean general and politician who served as the 6th President of South Korea.
Sibusiso Moyo
Sibusiso Moyo, a Zimbabwean politician and army general, died.
Myanmar Coup d'état
The Burmese military staged a coup d'état, deposing the democratically elected government and sparking nationwide protests and civil war.
Bago massacre in Myanmar
Burmese military and police forces killed at least 82 civilians in the Bago massacre, including people protesting a recent coup d'état.
Indonesian Submarine Nanggala Sinks
The Indonesian Navy submarine Nanggala sank, resulting in the deaths of all 53 people on board.
Trần Thiện Khiêm
Trần Thiện Khiêm was a South Vietnamese army officer and politician who served as the 7th Prime Minister of South Vietnam.
US Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan
The last remaining American troops left Afghanistan, ending U.S. involvement in the war.
Mo So Massacre
Burmese military forces killed at least 40 civilians during the Mo So massacre in Kayah State, Myanmar.
Yang Yongsong
Yang Yongsong, a Chinese major general, has died. He was born in 1919.
Sievierodonetsk captured by Russian forces
Russian forces captured the city of Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine, after six weeks of fighting during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kherson Captured by Russian Forces
Russian forces captured the city of Kherson, the only regional capital to be taken during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Shireen Abu Akleh killed in Jenin
Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while reporting on an Israel Defense Forces raid. The incident occurred in the Jenin Refugee Camp.
Civilians killed in Myanmar
Government troops killed 37 unarmed civilians in Mondaingbin during the Myanmar civil war. The killings were part of ongoing conflict in the region.
Hershel W. Williams Dies
Hershel W. Williams, a US Marine Corps warrant officer and the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died. He was born in 1923.
Ali Haydar
Syrian army officer Ali Haydar died on August 5, 2022. He was born in 1932.
Akissi Kouamé
Akissi Kouamé, an Ivorian army officer, has died.
Myanmar Airstrikes
Burmese military forces launched airstrikes that killed at least 80 concertgoers in Kachin State during the Myanmar civil war.
Ben Ferencz
Ben Ferencz was an American lawyer who investigated and prosecuted Nazi war crimes.
Myanmar Air Force airstrike
A Myanmar Air Force airstrike killed at least 100 villagers in Pazigyi.
Dmitry Utkin
Russian army officer and founder of the Wagner Group.
Yevgeny Prigozhin
Russian businessman and chief of the Wagner Group.
Wanda Janicka
Wanda Janicka, a Polish architect and participant in the Warsaw Uprising, died on September 7, 2023. She was born in 1923.
Gaza War Begins
Palestinian nationalist groups launched armed incursions into the Gaza envelope, starting the Gaza war.
Hamas Music Festival Massacre
The military wing of Hamas massacred people attending an open-air music festival in southern Israel.
October 7 attacks
Israelis were murdered or fell in the line of duty during the October 7 attacks.
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 crash
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 crashed near Aktau International Airport after losing aircraft systems and being hit by a Russian defense missile. The plane was attempting an emergency landing.
Nelson DeMille
Nelson DeMille was an American lieutenant and author.
Igor Kirillov
Igor Kirillov was a Russian general.
John Bahnsen
John Bahnsen was a United States Army brigadier general and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.
Death of Philippe de Gaulle
Philippe de Gaulle, a French admiral and son of Charles de Gaulle, died.
Lou Conter
Lou Conter was an American naval commander and one of the last survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Ralph Puckett
American Army officer and Medal of Honor recipient.
Bud Anderson
American World War II flying ace Bud Anderson died. He was born in 1922.
Varzaqan helicopter crash victims
Several individuals died in the 2024 Varzaqan helicopter crash.
Tin Oo
Tin Oo was a Burmese general and politician.
Joe Engle
American Air Force officer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut.
Paul Bucha
Paul Bucha was a United States Army Medal of Honor recipient. He was born in 1943.
Arthur J. Gregg dies
Arthur J. Gregg, an American military officer, died at the age of 96.
Ibrahim Aqil
Ibrahim Aqil was a Hezbollah militant.
Humberto Ortega
Humberto Ortega was a Nicaraguan military leader.
Mike Jackson
Mike Jackson, English general, died.
Kioumars Pourhashemi
Iranian military general who died in 2024.
Syrian Civil War Ends
The Syrian civil war concluded with the surrender of the Syrian Ba'ath Party to the opposition. Bashar al-Assad's party was defeated.
Khalil Haqqani
Khalil Haqqani, an Afghan politician and warlord, has died.
Jean-Marie Le Pen
Jean-Marie Le Pen, French intelligence officer and politician, died.
Simon Mann
Simon Mann was a British military officer and mercenary.
2025 Potomac River mid-air collision victims
Multiple individuals died in a mid-air collision over the Potomac River in 2025.
John Hemingway
John Hemingway, Irish fighter pilot and last surviving Battle of Britain pilot, died.
Rafah paramedic massacre
During the Gaza war, the Israel Defense Forces killed 15 aid workers in Rafah.
Betty Webb
Death of Betty Webb, an English code breaker (born 1923).
US Military Operation in Venezuela
The United States launches a military operation in Venezuela, capturing president Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
US and Israel strike Iran
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the most important war events in history?
- Notable war events include: Battle of Hastings (1066), Mongol conquest of Song Dynasty China completed (1292), Paul Revere born (1735).
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- Our collection includes 448 historical entries related to war, spanning centuries of human history.
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