Belisarius Defeats the Vandals at Ad Decimum
On September 13, 533, Belisarius defeated the Vandals at Ad Decimum and went on to retake North Africa for the empire.
The Battle of Lepanto Breaks Ottoman Naval Power in the Mediterranean
The Holy League fleet destroyed the Ottoman navy at Lepanto on October 7, 1571, in the last great battle fought by oared galleys.
A Christian Alliance Breaks the Ottoman Siege of Vienna
On September 12, 1683, a Polish-led relief army broke the Ottoman siege of Vienna, ending Turkish expansion in Europe.
The British Win the Plains of Abraham Outside Quebec
On September 13, 1759, Wolfe defeated Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec; both generals died of their wounds.
The French Fleet Wins the Battle of the Chesapeake
On September 5, 1781, the French fleet beat the British at the Battle of the Chesapeake, leaving Cornwallis trapped at Yorktown.
Napoleon Defeats Prussia at Jena and Auerstedt
On October 14, 1806, Napoleon defeated the Prussian army at Jena and Auerstedt, and Prussia collapsed within two weeks.
Francis Scott Key Writes the Defence of Fort McHenry
On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote Defence of Fort McHenry, the poem that became the US national anthem.
The Arrow Incident Opens the Second Opium War
On October 23, 1856, British forces attacked the forts on the Pearl river near Guangzhou, opening the Second Opium War.
The Red Cross Is Founded
On October 29, 1863, sixteen nations met in Geneva and founded the Red Cross to aid war's wounded.
Battle of Sedan: Napoleon III Captured
On September 1, 1870, Prussia destroyed the French army at Sedan and captured Napoleon III, ending the Second Empire.
Peng Dehuai Is Born in Hunan
On October 24, 1898, Peng Dehuai, one of the ten marshals of the People's Liberation Army and commander in the Korean War, was born in Hunan.
Treaty of Portsmouth Ends the Russo-Japanese War
On September 5, 1905, Russia and Japan signed the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending their war and confirming Japan's position in Korea.
The Battle of Caporetto
On October 24, 1917, Austro-German forces broke the Italian line at Caporetto, forcing a retreat of more than 100 kilometres to the Piave river.
The Three Red Armies Meet in Gansu
On October 22, 1936, the main Red Army forces met at Jiangtaibao in Gansu, completing the Long March that had begun in 1934.
The Defence of Sihang Warehouse
On October 26, 1937, a Chinese battalion under Xie Jinyuan began defending Sihang warehouse in Shanghai, holding out for four days.
The Battle of Wuhan Ends
On October 25, 1938, Chinese forces withdrew from Wuhan, ending a four and a half month battle and beginning a long stalemate in the war with Japan.
UN Forces Land at Inchon
On September 15, 1950, UN forces landed at Inchon behind North Korean lines, reversing the course of the Korean War.
The Suez War Begins
On October 29, 1956, Israeli forces entered Sinai and the Suez war began, after Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal company.
War Breaks Out on the China-India Border
On October 20, 1962, fighting began along the China-India border in the Himalayas, opening a war that lasted about a month.
The September 11 Attacks on the United States
On September 11, 2001, hijackers flew four planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people.