You probably don’t need me to tell you that today is May Day, since I’m betting your ability to keep track of which day it is exceeds mine. May Day’s origins go back to pre-Christian European cultures, but nowadays for much of the world it’s also International Workers’ Day and, in some countries, Labor Day. Ironically, for … Continue reading Today in European history: the Taksim Square massacre (1977)
Tag: european history
Today in European history: the Battle of Mohi (1241)
Having already talked about the Battle of Legnica a couple of days ago, we now turn to the Mongols’ other major April 1241 fight, the Battle of Mohi (also referred to as the Battle of the Sajó River) on April 11 (it technically may have begun on April 10, but close enough). If you’ve already read the story of Legnica … Continue reading Today in European history: the Battle of Mohi (1241)
Today in European history: the Battle of Legnica (1241)
The double-envelopment, or pincer movement, is such a tried and true military tactic that the guy who literally wrote the book on war, Sun Tzu, discussed it in his book. It involves, as the name suggests, outflanking an enemy on both sides in order to encircle it completely. Sun Tzu actually argued against employing this tactic, because … Continue reading Today in European history: the Battle of Legnica (1241)
Today in European history: the Siege of Thessaloniki ends (1430)
Historically, Thessaloniki is one of the most important cities in Europe, though it's probably never been quite as prominent as its importance should have warranted because it's generally would up being overshadowed somehow. Founded in the fourth century BC by Macedonian King Cassander, it rose in stature to become the most important city in Macedon...shortly … Continue reading Today in European history: the Siege of Thessaloniki ends (1430)
Today (maybe) in European history: the Battle of Tours (probably 732)
Let’s get the big problem out in the open right up front: while October 10, 732, is the most widely accepted date for the Battle of Tours (Poitiers)—fought between an army of the Umayyad Caliphate and a coalition under the command of Frankish majordomo Charles Martel (d. 741)—there are a lot of reasons to think … Continue reading Today (maybe) in European history: the Battle of Tours (probably 732)
Today in European history: the Siege of Candia (finally) ends (1669)
The Ottoman Empire in the 17th century is a land of contrasts. I know that sounds like the opening to a bad high school essay, but it’s not wrong. The 17th century ended with the Ottomans signing the first truly disadvantageous treaty they’d ever signed, and while reports of Ottoman decline in this period can … Continue reading Today in European history: the Siege of Candia (finally) ends (1669)
Today in European history: the Siege of Constantinople begins (maybe, 717) and ends (718)
Before it fell for good to the Ottomans in 1453, the city of Constantinople successfully withstood something multiple sieges over its long history. Even the one successful siege, by the soldiers of the Fourth Crusade in 1204, wound up being rolled back when a restored Byzantine Empire supplanted the short-lived Latin Empire in 1261. At least one, and possibly … Continue reading Today in European history: the Siege of Constantinople begins (maybe, 717) and ends (718)
Today in European history: the Battle of Alcácer Quibir (1578)
The 1578 Battle of Alcácer Quibir is an interesting case of unintended consequences. The product of a Portuguese attempt to exploit a succession crisis in Morocco, its outcome actually helped create a succession crisis in Portugal. The situation in Morocco was a pretty straightforward usurpation. The Bani Zaydan, also known as the Saadis, were the … Continue reading Today in European history: the Battle of Alcácer Quibir (1578)
Today in European history: the Battle of Saint Gotthard (1664)
The Battle of Vienna in 1683 is generally regarded as the Ottoman Empire’s high water mark, since it put the empire on the defensive and eventually led to the 1699 Treaty of Karlowitz, the first truly disadvantageous treaty the Ottomans ever concluded with other European powers. If you look at the 1664 Battle of Saint Gotthard, … Continue reading Today in European history: the Battle of Saint Gotthard (1664)
The Foreign Exchanges Companion 