c. 1184 BCEWar & Conflict
Fall of Troy
The legendary city of Troy fell after a prolonged siege by Greek forces, as recounted in Homer's Iliad.
Europe
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War & Conflict
11 events in this category
490 BCEWar & Conflict
Battle of Marathon
Greek forces achieved a decisive victory over the Persian army near Athens.
Europe
480 BCEWar & Conflict
Battle of Thermopylae
A small Greek force led by King Leonidas of Sparta held the pass at Thermopylae against the massive Persian army.
Europe
October 1, 331 BCEWar & Conflict
Alexander the Great Conquers Persian Empire
Alexander the Great defeated the Persian Empire at the Battle of Gaugamela, creating one of the largest empires in ancient history.
Middle East
1429War & Conflict
Joan of Arc Leads France
A teenage peasant girl claiming divine visions led the French army to a decisive victory at Orleans, turning the tide of the Hundred Years' War.
Europe
May 29, 1453War & Conflict
Fall of Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire captured Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire and marking a turning point between the medieval and modern eras.
Europe
April 9, 1865War & Conflict
American Civil War Ends
General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, effectively ending the American Civil War.
Americas
June 28, 1914War & Conflict
World War I Begins
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered a chain of alliances that plunged Europe into the First World War.
Europe
September 1, 1939War & Conflict
World War II Begins
Nazi Germany invaded Poland, triggering declarations of war from Britain and France and beginning the Second World War.
Europe
August 6, 1945War & Conflict
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, ushering in the nuclear age.
Asia
September 11, 2001War & Conflict
September 11 Attacks
Terrorist attacks on the United States killed nearly 3,000 people and fundamentally changed global security and foreign policy.
Americas