Amiga ISO Collection

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Amiga ISO Collection / AmigaUtilCD1.iso / Database / orgplus.dms / in.adf / Archive / Supps2.lha / Dates of Interest / War Dates < prev

Wrap

Text File | 1995-10-31 | 27.4 KB | 884 lines

JANUARY January 1 Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba (1959). January 2 Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain, surrendered to the Spaniards (1492). January 3 George Washington's forces defeated the British at the Battle of Princeton (1777). US and Russia signed the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in Moscow (1993). January 4 Civil War started after Charles I attempted to arrest members of the House of Commons (1641). During World War II, British Fifth Army launched an attack on Monte Cassino in Italy (1944). January 5 Battle of Nancy, where Charles the Bold, King of France, was killed, Northeast France (1477). January 6 Battle of the Bulge ended with 130,000 German and 77,000 Allied casualties (1945). January 7 Calais, captured by Edward III in 1347 after a long siege, recaptured by the French (1558). January 8 The Americans defeated the British at the battle of New Orleans (1815). January 9 US and Iraq failed to reach agreement to forestall the Gulf War (1991). January 10 Treaty of Versailles II ratified, officially ended World War I (1920). January 12 The Zulu war began (1879). After the Biafram army surrendered, the civil war in Nigeria ended (1970). January 14 During World War II, President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill met at Casablanca (1943). January 15 President Nixon halted USA backing of South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam (1973). January 16 United Nations force launched Operation Desert Storm on Saddam Hussein's Iraq (1991). January 17 Independence of the Transvaal Boers recognised by Britain (1852). January 18 Relief of St Petersburg (Leningrad), Northwest Russia, which began in September 1941(1944). January 19 The first raid on England by the German Zeppelins took place (1915). Japanese invaded Burma, now Myanmar (1942). January 20 British RAF dropped 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin in World War II (1944). 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days by followers of Ayatollah Khomeini were released (1981). January 22 Falkland Islands ceded to Britain by Spain (1771). 'Bloody Sunday' in Russia when hundreds of workers presenting a petition were killed (1905). January 23 The Battle of Spion Kop was fought during the Boer War (1900). British forces captured Tripoli from the Germans (1943). January 24 Conscription, compulsory enlistment for military service, introduced in Britain (1916). January 25 Idi Amin lead a coup and became president of Uganda (1971). January 26 During the Spanish Civil War, Franco's forces, aided by Italy, took Barcelona (1939). January 27 Vietnam cease-fire agreement was signed by North Vietnam and America (1973). January 28 During the Franco-Prussian War, Paris fell to the Prussians after a five-month siege (1871). In World War II, British 8th Army retreated to El Alamein, Egypt (1942). January 29 Britain's highest military decoration, the Victoria Cross, founded by Queen Victoria (1856). Paris bombed by German zeppelins for the first time (1916). January 30 Adolf Hitler appointed chancellor of Germany (1933). 'Bloody Sunday' in Northern Ireland, when British troops shot dead 13 protesters (1972). January 31 Native American Indians ordered to move into reservations (1876). FEBRUARY February 2 Greece declared war on Turkey (1878). British Embassy in Dublin burned down by protesters angered by 'Bloody Sunday' shootings (1972). USSR's military occupation of Afghanistan ended after 9 years (1989). February 3 Berline was bombed in daylight by the Allies using over 1,000 aircraft (1945). February 4 Russo-Japanese War began after Japan laid siege to Port Arthur (1904). Allied leaders met at Yalta to plan the final stages of World War II (1945). February 5 The Spanish captured Minorca from the British (1782). Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie flew to France to be tried for crimes against humanity (1983). February 6 Britain declared war on France (1778). February 8 374 people died when a French cruiser was torpedoed off the Syrian coast (1916). February 11 Yalta Conference ended, at which Allied leaders planned the final defeat of Germany (1945). February 12 The French were defeated by the English at the Battle of the Herrings (1429). February 13 Massacre of the MacDonalds at Glencoe, Scotland, by their enemies, the Campbells (1692). Britain, Prussia, Austria, Holland, Spain, and Sardinia formed an alliance against France (1793). France tested her first atomic bomb, Sahara Desert (1960). February 14 Battle of St Vincent in which the British defeated the Spanish fleet (1797). February 15 USS Maine, sent to Cuba, struck a mine and sank in with the loss of 260 lives (1898). Battle of Golan Heights between Israel and Syria started (1974). February 16 British Navy rescued 300 British seaman from the a German ship in a Norwegian fjord (1940). February 17 First successful submarine torpedo attack by the Confederate submarine Hunley (1864). Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) formed, London (1958). February 18 Germany's blockade of Britain by submarine began (1915). February 19 The rebels were defeated by King Henry IV at Bramham Moor (1408). Darwin, Australia, was bombed by Japanese aircraft (1942). February 20 The French defeated the Spanish at the Battle of Saragossa (1809). February 21 The Battle of Verdun commenced (1916). February 22 French troops attempted to invade Britain but were captured during their landing (1797). February 23 Siege of the Alamo began when a mission was defended by 155 volunteers, USA (1836). February 24 The Battle of Alamo began (1836). February 26 Winston Churchill announced that Britain had produced its own atomic bomb (1952). February 27 In the First Boer War, defeated British troops established the independent Boer Republic (1881). Gulf War ended with the liberation of Kuwait and retreat of Iraqi forces (1991). February 28 Second Boer War, reinforcements reached British troops besieged for 4 months at Ladysmith (1900). MARCH March 1 USA conducted its first hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands (1954). March 5 Nazi Party won half the seats in national elections, Germany (1933). March 6 12-day siege of the Alamo ended, with only 6 survivors out of the original 155 (1836). March 8 February Revolution marked by rioting in St Petersburg, Russia (1917). 3,500 US marines landed in South Vietnam (1965). March 10 Japanese soldier discovered hiding on Lubang Island, Philippines, unaware that World War II had ended (1974). March 11 US Congress passed the Lend-Lease Bill, authorising huge loans to Britain to finance World War II (1941). March 12 Russian-Finnish war ended, with Finland signing over territory to Russia (1940). March 15 Adolf Hitler proclaimed the Third Reich and banned left-wing newspapers and kosher food (1933). March 16 American Military Academy founded at West Point, New York State (1802). March 21 Sharpeville Massacre, south of Johannesburg, where South African police killed 67 (1960). March 24 Tamerlane the Great, Mongol ruler, captured Damascus, Syria (1401). March 27 US Navy formed (1794). March 28 Spanish Civil War ended as Madrid surrendered to General Franco (1939). In World War II, Germany dropped its last V2 flying bomb on Britain (1945). March 29 Battle of Towton where 28,000 troops died and the Lancastrians were defeated, England (1461). Last US troops left Vietnam (1973). March 30 Crimean War ended with the Treaty of Paris (1856). APRIL April 1 Spanish Civil War effectively ended when USA recognised Franco's government (1939). April 2 British and Danish fleets met in the Battle of Copenhagen (1801). Argentina invaded the Falkland islands (1982). April 4 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) formed (1949). April 5 Spanish Armada invasion force of 129 ships carrying 20,000 soldiers, sighted approaching England (1588). April 6 America declared war on Germany (1917). Italy invaded Albania (1939). April 7 Battle of Atbara where British Lord Kitchener defeated the Sudanese leader Mahdi (1898). April 9 American Civil War Ended (1865). In World War I the Battle of Arras began when Canadian forces assaulted Vimy Ridge, Northeast France (1917). April 11 In World War II, allied troops liberated Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald, East Germany (1945). April 12 Battle of the Saints, West Indies, where the British fleet under Admiral Rodney defeated the French (1782). April 13 Amritsar, the city of the Golden Temple where British troops fired into a crowd of 10,000 (1919). April 14 Battle of Barnet, during the Wars of the Roses, leading to the restoration of King Edward IV, England (1471). April 15 George Cross awarded to Malta for its bravery under 2 years of heavy air attack during World War I (1942). April 16 Battle of Culloden, where Charles Edward Stuart and the Jacobites met their defeat, Inverness, Scotland (1746). April 16 Bay of Pigs, scene of an unsuccessful attempt by American-backed Cuban exiles to overthrow Fidel Castro (1961). April 18 War of American Independence started (1775). April 19 English navigator Francis Drake sank the Spanish fleet in Cadiz harbour (1587). Battle of Lexington, the first battle in the American War of Independence, Massachusetts (1775). April 20 Battle of Panipat, where the Mogul army led by Babur defeated the Afghans (1526). English Admiral Blake defeated the Spanish fleet in Santa Cruz Bay, off the Canary Islands (1657). April 24 Easter Rising, a Republican protest against British rule took place in Dublin (1916). April 25 Gallipoli, a major campaign of World War I where the Allies invaded the Gallipoli peninsula (1915). April 26 Spanish town of Guernica almost destroyed by German bombers (1937). April 27 Battle of Dunbar, where the English army lead by King Edward I defeated the Scots (1296). April 28 Founded, League of Nations, an association of countries established by the Treaty of Versailles II (1919). April 29 Siege of Orléans lifted by a French army, commanded by Joan of Arc (1429). In World War II, German army in Italy surrendered to the Allies under British General Alexander (1945). April 30 Vietnam War ended, with the South surrendering unconditionally to the North (1975). MAY May 2 Lebanese Civil War began (1973). In the Falklands War, British submarine Conqueror sunk the Argentian cruiser General Belgrano (1982). May 4 Battle of Tewkesbury, last battle in the Wars of the Roses, where the Yorkists defeated the Lancastrians (1471). May 7 German submarine sank the Cunard liner Lusitania off the Irish coast, with the loss of 1,198 lives (1915). May 8 Germany surrendered to Allied forces and ended World War II in Europe (1945) May 9 British RAF began night bombing Germany (1940). Russian troops took Prague (1945). May 10 Danes devastated Anglesey (994). May 11 British troops took Rangoon, Burma (1824). May 13 Oliver Cromwell defeated the royalists at Grantham, England (1643). May 14 Battle of Lewes where the English barons under Simon de Monfort defeated King Henry III (1264). Warsaw Pack, a treaty of mutual defence and military aid signed at Warsaw (1955). May 15 American President Truman signed a bill of credit for $3,750,000,000 for Britain (1946). Britain exploded its first megaton nuclear bomb at Christmas Island (1957). May 17 Sweden, Norway and Finland rejected Germany's offer of non-aggression packs (1939). Denmark, Estonia and Latvia accepted Germany's offer of non-aggression packs (1939). May 18 Spanish Civil War started by an army revolt lead by Francisco Franco and Emilio Mola (1936). At Japan's request, Britain prohibited the passage of war materials for China passing through Burma (1940). May 19 Spain declared war on England by confiscating English shipping in Spanish ports (1585). May 20 Richard I, the Lion Heart, conquered Cyprus (1191). Nazi officers attempted to assassinate Hitler, Germany (1944). May 22 Olaf the White, son of the King of Norway, received the submission of Vikings and Danes in Ireland and made Dublin his capital (853). May 23 Saxon King Alfred defeated the Danes at Edington, England (878). Burgundian troops captured Joan of Arc and delivered her to the English (1430). May 24 British battleship HMS Hood sunk by German battleship Bismarck off Greenland (1941). USSR stopped road and rail traffic between Berlin and the West, forcing Western powers to organise airlifts (1948). May 25 Mongols took Kaifeng and destroyed the Chin dynasty, China (1234). May 26 American Civil War ended with the surrender of the last Confederate Army at Shreveport, New Orleans (1865). May 27 Harold of Wessex began to conquer Wales (1063). May 27 German battleship Bismarck sunk by British navy, west of Brest on the French coast (1941). May 29 Fifth Crusade landed outside Damietta, Egypt (1218). Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, defeated a Castilian fleet in the English Channel (1458). May 30 Spanish defeated the English at Cranon, France (1592). May 31 End of the Second Boer War, with the Peace of Vereenging (1902). Czech patriots assassinated Nazi Gestapo leader Richard Heydrich (1942). JUNE June 1 Viking raiders sacked London (836). First Zeppelin airship attack on London (1915). June 2 Last forces left by boat from Dunkirk, France, for England (1940). June 3 Battle of Lowestoft, English fleet defeated the Dutch (1665). Battle of Midway began, between the American and Japanese fleets, Pacific (1942). June 5 US troops landed in Cuba (1912). June 6 Six Day War broke out between Israel and the Arab states (1967). D-Day, when allied forces of Britain, US and Canada invaded German-occupied France (1944). June 7 Treaty of Tordesillas where Spain and Portugal agreed to divide the New World between themselves (1494). Dutch Admiral de Ruyter defeated the combined English and French fleets at Southwold Bay (1672). June 8 US troops were authorised to engage in offensive operations in Vietnam (1965). June 10 Village of Lidice destroyed and every male villager killed in reprisal for the assassination of Nazi Gestapo leader Richard Heydrich (1942). June 11 Dutch ships led by Admiral de Ruyter sailed up the Thames and destroyed British ships (1667). June 13 Boxer Rebellion in China against Europeans (1900). First flying bomb dropped on London (1944). June 14 In World War II, German troops entered Paris (1940). June 15 Sluices opened in Holland to save Amsterdam from the French (1672). June 16 Spain declared war on Britain and the Siege of Gibraltar began (1779). June 17 British victory at Bunker Hill, the first pitched battle in the American War of Independence (1775). Russian troops occupied the Baltic states (1940). June 18 Battle of Patay, where the French under Joan of Arc defeated the English (1429). Battle of Waterloo, in Belgium (1815). June 22 Turkey declared war on Poland (1671). June 23 US bombed hydroelectric plants in North Korea (1952). June 24 Robert the Bruce defeated King Edward II at Bannockburn (1314). June 25 End of the English Civil War (1646). Battle of the Little Bighorn, or 'Custer's Last Stand' (1876). June 27 USSR invaded Romania (1940). In World War II, Hungary declared war on Russia (1941). June 28 World War I started when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated (1914). North Korean forces captured Seoul (1950). JULY July 1 In World War I, Battle of the Somme in northern France started (1916). Warsaw Pack disbanded, the treaty of mutual defence and military aid signed at Warsaw (1991). July 2 Battle of Marston where Oliver Cromwell gained his first victory against the royalists in the English Civil War (1644). July 3 Israeli commando force rescued 103 hostages held by terrorists at Entebbe airport, Uganda (1976). July 4 Declaration of Independence adopted (1776). July 9 In anticipation of World War II, 35,000,000 gas masks were issued to Britain's civilians (1938). July 12 English admiral Horatio Nelson lost his right eye at the siege of Calvi, Corsica (1794). July 14 The Bastille, a fortress used as a prison, stormed by citizens of Paris marking the start of the French Revolution (1789). July 15 Jerusalem was captured by the Crusaders, led by Godfrey and Robert of Flanders and Tancred of Normandy (1099). July 16 Last tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, forced to abdicate after the Russian Revolution (1918). July 17 Defeat of the English, at the Battle of Castillon, marked the end of the Hundred Years' War (1453). July 18 Spanish Civil War began when Francisco Franco lead the Nationalist revolt against the Republican Government (1936) July 21 Battle of Pyramids, Egypt, where Napoleon defeated an army of 60,000 Mamelukes (1798). July 26 President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal (1956) July 27 In World War II, Battle of El Alamein ended after 17 days (1942). July 28 Austria and Hungary declared war on Serbia, starting World War I (1914). July 29 Spanish Armada invasion force of 129 ships defeated by an English fleet of 197 ships (1588). July 31 President Bush and Gorbachev signed the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in Moscow (1991). AUGUST August 1 Helsinki Agreement on human rights and other global issues signed by 35 nations (1975). August 2 Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait (1990). August 3 Germany declared war on France (1914). August 4 Britain declared war on Germany after it violated the Treaty of London (1914). Italy invaded Kenya, the Sudan and British Somaliland (1940). August 6 First Atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima killing 300,000 citizen, one third of the city population (1945) August 8 In World War II, Battle of Britain, the start of a series of air battles over England (1940). August 9 Second Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki resulting in Japan's surrender and the end of World War II (1945) August 12 In World War II, PLUTO began operating beneath the English Channel, supplying petrol to Allied Forces in France (1944). August 13 Spanish Hernándo Cortés recaptured Tenochtitlán (Mexico City) and overthrew the Aztec empire (1521). Last US troops left Vietnam as communist North Vietnamese troops moved into Saigon (1972). August 14 Battle of Mons, Belgium, where the French repelled William of Orange (1678). August 18 Battle of Smolensk, Western Russia, where Napoleon's troops defeated the Russians (1812). August 20 In World War I, German forces occupied Brussels (1914). Russian troops invaded Czechoslovakia (1968). August 21 Battle of Vimiero where the English under Wellington defeated French forces (1808). August 22 English Civil War began between royalist supporters of Charles I and his Parliament (1642). International Red Cross founded by the Geneva Convention to assist the wounded and prisoners of war (1864). August 23 Battle of Grossbeeren, where the French were driven back by the Prussians (1813). In World War I, the 'blitz' began as German bombers began all night raids on London (1940). August 24 Battle of Malaga, where the French were defeated by English and Dutch fleets (1704). Battle of the Sakkaria River, where the Turkish army drove back the Greeks (1921). August 25 During World War I British RAF made first bombing raid on Berlin (1940). World War II allies liberated Paris, France (1944). August 26 Julius Caesar, Roman emperor, landed in England (55BC). August 27 Battle of Dresden where Napoleon defeated the Austrians (1813). August 28 Battle of Heligoland Bight, off the German coast in the North Sea, first major naval battle of World War I (1914). In World War II, US forces, under General Marshall, landed in Japan (1945). August 30 In World War II, anticipating German bombing, the great evacuation of children from British cities began (1939). In World War II, the siege by German forces of Leningrad began, Russia (1941). August 31 Proclamation of King Edward commanding the expulsion of all Jews, under penalty of death, to leave England (1290). In World War II, Battle of Alam al-Halfa, where German offensive was halted by the British (1942). SEPTEMBER September 1 Hitler's Germany invaded Poland (1939). September 2 Battle of Omdurman when the British defeated the Sudanese and re-occupied the capital Khartoum, Sudan (1898). September 3 Britain recognised American independence with the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1783). Britain, New Zealand, Australia and France declared war on Germany for its invasion of Poland, starting World War II (1939). September 4 Geronimo, the American Indian Apache chief, surrendered to the US army (1886). In World War II, allies liberated Antwerp, Belgium (1944). September 5 French troops surrendered Malta to the British after Admiral Nelson's naval blockade (1800). The first Battle of Marne, during World War I, where the German advance on Paris was halted and repelled (1914). September 7 Battle of Borodino, near Moscow, where Napoleon's French forces, defeated Prince Kutuzov's army (1812). September 8 Dutch colony of New Amsterdam surrendered to the British who renamed it New York (1669). September 9 Battle of Flodden Field, Northumbria, where England defeated Scotland (1513). September 12 Military coup deposed Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia (1974). September 14 Napoleon entered Moscow during his invasion of Russia (1812). September 15 Russians set fire and destroyed 75% of Moscow to expel the French occupation (1812). Civil war began between Christians and Muslims in Beirut (1974). September 17 Poland invaded by USSR (1939). Operation Market Garden, the unsuccessful British airborne invasion of Arnhem, Holland (1944). September 20 Romans and Visigoths defeated Attila, King of the Huns, at Châlon-sur-Marne (451). September 21 Battle of Prestonpans, Scotland, where Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated the English (1745). September 22 France became a republic (1792), which lasted until it was overthrown by Napoleon in 1799. Idi Amin, soldier and head of state after a coup, gave 8,000 Asians 48 hours to leave Uganda (1972). September 24 First nuclear-powered aircraft carrier launched, USS Enterprise, Newport, USA (1960). September 25 Battle of Stamford Bridge, where King Harold II defeated the King of Norway, Harald Hardrada (1066). September 27 In World War II, Poland's capital Warsaw surrendered to German troops (1939). September 28 Battle of Marathon where 10,000 Greeks defeated 50,000 Persians (490BC). September 29 In World War II, Soviet troops invaded Yugoslavia (1944). September 30 USSR and Germany agreed on the partition of Poland (1939). OCTOBER October 1 Arab forces of Emir Faisal, lead by the British officer T E Lawrence, captured Damascus from the Turks (1918). October 3 Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was renamed Yugoslavia (1929). East and West Germany reunited (1990). October 5 In World War I, the first air battle took place between French and German aircraft (1914). October 8 British fleet fired the first war rockets, 2,000 of them, onto Boulogne (1806). October 10 Battle of Tours where the Franks defeated the Saracens, the Muslin invaders of Europe (732). October 11 Second Boer War between Britain and South Africa began (1899). October 14 Battle of Hastings, where 8,000 Normans under William the Conqueror defeated 8,000 English (1066). October 15 Died Mata Hari, Dutch dancer and secret agent in Paris, executed by the French for espionage (1917). October 19 End of the American War of Independence when Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington (1781). October 20 Battle of Navarino, off the Greek coast (1827). October 21 Battle of Trafalgar, where the British fleet defeated 33 ships of the combined fleets of France and Spain (1805). October 23 Battle of Edgehill, the first major conflict in the English Civil War, Cotswolds (1642). First meeting of the United Nations, took place in New York (1946). October 25 Charge of the Light Brigade, lead by Lord Cardigan, in the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War (1854). Tiny Caribbean island of Grenada invaded by 2,000 US troops (1983). October 29 International Red Cross founded to assist the wounded and prisoners of war (1863). October 31 In World War II, Battle of Britain ended, and due to Germany's failure to control the air (1940). NOVEMBER November 1 In World War I, Battle of Coronel, where two British ships were sunk by German forces (1914). November 3 In World War II, British troops lead by Field Marshal Montgomery broke German Rommel's front line, Africa (1942). November 4 Rapid-fire gun patented by US inventor Richard Gatling (1862). November 5 Gunpowder Plot, failed attempt by persecuted Catholics, to blow up the King and his Government (1605). November 7 Russian Revolution when the Bolsheviks overthrew Prime Minister Alexander Kerensky's government (1917) November 9 Kristallnacht, when Nazis burned 267 synagogues and destroyed thousands of properties in Germany and Austria (1938). November 10 Bulldozers began demolishing the Berlin Wall (1989). November 11 End of World War I with the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany (1918) The Willys-Overland Company launched a four-wheel drive vehicle for the US Army (1940). November 13 'Bloody Sunday' in Britain when police violently broke up a socialist demonstration at Trafalgar Square (1887). November 18 President Lincoln delivered the famous Gettysburg address at the dedication of the national cemetery (1863). November 20 Battle of Quiberon Bay, where Admiral Hawke defeated the French fleet (1759). November 21 End of the Cold War (1990). November 29 Sand Creek Massacre where over 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, who had surrendered, were killed (1864). November 30 In World War II, USSR invaded Finland (1939). DECEMBER December 1 Locarno Pact signed in London, guaranteeing peace and frontiers in Europe (1925). December 2 Napoleon defeated the Austrians and Russians at the Battle of Austerlitz (1805). German and Russian delegates met at Brest-Litovsk to discuss peace proposals (1917). December 4 First income tax to finance the wars with revolutionary France (1791). December 5 In the Russo-Japanese War, Russian fleet destroyed by Japan at Port Arthur (1904). German and Russian delegates signed an armistice for seven days to take effect on 7th Dec (1917). December 7 Japanese aircraft inflicted heavy damage on a major US naval base, Pearl Harbour (1941). December 8 USA, Britain and Australia declared war on Japan, one day after the attack on Pearl Harbour (1941). First nuclear arms reduction agreement signed by US and Soviet Presidents (1991). December 10 Cuba became independent of Spain following the Spanish-American War (1898). Royal Navy battleships 'Prince of Wales' and 'Repulse' were sunk by Japanese aircraft (1941). December 11 In World War II, Germany and Italy declared war on the USA (1941). December 13 Military coup replaced the monarchy in Greece and sent King Constantine II into exile (1967). December 15 First Battle of Verdun, World War I, ended with the loss of 700,000 soldiers, France (1916). December 16 Boston Tea Party, a violent American protest against British taxation (1773). In World War II, Battle of the Bulge (1944). December 19 Battle of Dreux, between Huguenots and Catholics, started the French Wars of Religion (1562). December 24 War of 1812 between American and Britain ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent (1814). Afghanistan invaded by Soviet troops (1979). December 25 During the World War I, British and German troops observed an unofficial cease-fire (1914). December 26 In World War II, Battle of North Cape, North Sea (1943). December 27 With a new constitution, Spain became a democracy after 40 years of dictatorship (1978). December 28 Mexico's independence recognised by Spain (1836). December 29 Last major battle between Native American Indians and US army (1890). December 30 Battle of Wakefield, during the War of the Roses (1460).