1741: Battle of Fontenoy – Maria Theresa vs. Louis XV
The location where the Battle of Fontenoy was fought is located in what is now Belgium. The Battle of Fontenoy was one of the most important battles of the War of the Aus...
Read more
1888: Willis A. Lee: The Admiral who Won Seven Olympic Medals
On this day in 1888, Admiral Willis A. Lee was born as a cousin of the famous American General Robert E. Lee – the leading Confederate commander from the time of the Civi...
Read more
1801: Yusuf Pasha Karamanli Declares War on the United States
On this day in 1801, the Berbers from the area of present-day Libya declared war on the United States. At the time, the country was relatively young (about twenty years e...
Read more
1941: Hitler’s Deputy Hess Takes Off on a Secret Peace Mission
Rudolf Hess was Hitler’s closest associate. He even shared a prison cell with him after being convicted for the failed “Beer Hall Putsch” in Munich. While in prison, Hit...
Read more
1940: The British Conquest of Iceland
The British military invasion of Iceland began on this day in 1940. The United Kingdom attacked a neutral and peaceful country. At the time, Island was an independent and...
Read more
1770: Napoleon’s “Iron Marshal”
On this day the powerful Napoleon’s Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout was born. He got the nickname “The Iron Marshal” because of his strictness towards subordinates. In term...
Read more
1945: Field Marshal Keitel Confirms German Surrender in Berlin
On this day in 1945, Keitel confirmed the German surrender in World War II. This was done primarily at the request of the Soviets, who were dissatisfied with the German s...
Read more
1864: Austrian Ships Participate in a Battle in the North Sea
The Austrian ships at Heligoland were commanded by Wilhelm von Tegetthoff, who later became famous for his victory at Lissa. The Battle of Heligoland took place on this d...
Read more