1208day.year
The Battle of Lena takes place between King Sverker II of Sweden and his rival, Prince Eric, whose victory puts him on the throne as King Eric X of Sweden.
Prince Eric defeats King Sverker II of Sweden at the Battle of Lena, securing his claim to the Swedish throne.
The Battle of Lena unfolded on January 31st, 1208 in central Sweden, as Prince Eric challenged King Sverker II for royal legitimacy. Favoring strategic surprise and local support, Eric's forces outmaneuvered Sverker's army, leading to a decisive victory. The outcome marked a turning point in the civil strife of early 13th-century Sweden, consolidating Eric's power. He was soon crowned King Eric X, initiating reforms in governance and the Swedish Church. Military tactics from this conflict influenced subsequent Nordic battles for centuries. The victory underscored the shifting allegiances among Swedish nobility and set a precedent for royal succession disputes in medieval Scandinavia.
1208
Battle of Lena
Sverker II of Sweden
Eric X of Sweden
1266day.year
The Mudéjar of Murcia, who had rebelled against the Crown of Castile during the Mudéjar revolt of 1264–1266, surrender the city to James I of Aragon after a siege lasting a month.
Rebel Mudéjar forces in Murcia surrender to King James I of Aragon after a month-long siege.
In the aftermath of the Mudéjar Revolt (1264–1266), the Muslim inhabitants of Murcia, known as Mudéjar, laid down their arms on January 31st, 1266. A prolonged siege orchestrated by King James I of Aragon pressured the defenders into capitulation. The surrender brought Murcia under Aragonese control, reshaping the Christian-Muslim frontier on the Iberian Peninsula. Terms of surrender allowed for certain religious freedoms but marked the beginning of intensified Christian resettlement. This event contributed to the gradual Christian Reconquista in southern Spain. The complex negotiations highlighted the era's blend of warfare, diplomacy, and cultural coexistence.
1266
Mudéjar
Crown of Castile
Mudéjar revolt of 1264–1266
James I of Aragon
siege lasting a month
1578day.year
Eighty Years' War and Anglo-Spanish War: The Battle of Gembloux is a victory for Spanish forces led by Don John of Austria over a rebel army of Dutch, Flemish, English, Scottish, German, French and Walloons.
Spanish Habsburg forces under Don John of Austria achieve victory at the Battle of Gembloux during the Eighty Years' War.
On January 31st, 1578, the Battle of Gembloux saw a Spanish army led by Don John of Austria decisively defeat a rebel coalition of Dutch, Flemish, English, Scottish, German, French, and Walloon troops. Fought near Gembloux in present-day Belgium, the engagement showcased the tactical prowess of Habsburg infantry and cavalry. The victory bolstered Spanish control in the Low Countries and dampened Protestant resistance. Casualties among the rebel forces were severe, leading to a temporary setback in the Dutch revolt. Don John's success enhanced his reputation as a military commander. The battle's outcome influenced subsequent engagements in the Eighty Years' War and the concurrent Anglo-Spanish conflict.
1578
Eighty Years' War
Anglo-Spanish War
Battle of Gembloux
Don John of Austria
Dutch
Flemish
English
Scottish
German
French
Walloons
1703day.year
Forty-seven rōnin, under the command of Ōishi Kuranosuke, avenged the death of their master, by killing Kira Yoshinaka.
The forty-seven rōnin avenge their master's death by killing Kira Yoshinaka in Edo.
On January 31st, 1703, a group of forty-seven masterless samurai, known as rōnin, exacted vengeance on Kira Yoshinaka in Edo, avenging their lord Asano Naganori. Led by Ōishi Kuranosuke, they meticulously planned the attack, waiting months to ensure their mission's success. The rōnin breached Kira's residence and beheaded him, fulfilling their loyalty under the Bushido code. Their act sparked a nationwide debate over honor, law, and samurai ethics under the Tokugawa shogunate. Ultimately, the rōnin were ordered to commit ritual suicide (seppuku), solidifying their story as a poignant example of devotion. The event inspired numerous plays, novels, and artworks, cementing its place in Japanese cultural heritage. The tale of the forty-seven rōnin endures as a symbol of loyalty and sacrifice.
1703
Forty-seven rōnin
Ōishi Kuranosuke
Kira Yoshinaka
1865day.year
American Civil War: Confederate General Robert E. Lee becomes general-in-chief of all Confederate armies.
Robert E. Lee was appointed general-in-chief of all Confederate armies during the Civil War's endgame.
On January 31, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis elevated General Robert E. Lee to the position of general-in-chief of all Confederate armies. Lee had already earned renown for his leadership of the Army of Northern Virginia and had repelled several Union offensives. This promotion aimed to unify Confederate military strategy under his command during the final, desperate months of the conflict. Despite his tactical skill, Lee faced dwindling manpower and resources against overwhelming Union forces. His appointment underscored the Confederacy’s reliance on Lee’s leadership even as its defeat loomed.
Confederate
Robert E. Lee
1900day.year
Datu Muhammad Salleh is killed in Kampung Teboh, Tambunan, ending the Mat Salleh Rebellion.
Datu Muhammad Salleh's death ended the Mat Salleh Rebellion against British colonial rule in Borneo.
The Mat Salleh Rebellion was a prolonged uprising by indigenous groups in North Borneo against the British North Borneo Chartered Company’s administration and taxation policies. On January 31, 1900, colonial forces killed the rebel leader Datu Muhammad Salleh in Kampung Teboh, Tambunan. His death signaled the collapse of organized resistance and the rebellion’s end. Despite its suppression, the revolt became a symbol of local opposition to colonial rule. Mat Salleh’s legacy endures in Sabah, where he is remembered as a folk hero and freedom fighter.
1900
Mat Salleh Rebellion
1915day.year
World War I: Germany is the first to make large-scale use of poison gas in warfare in the Battle of Bolimów against Russia.
Germany launched the first large-scale poison gas attack at the Battle of Bolimów, introducing chemical warfare.
During the Battle of Bolimów on January 31, 1915, German forces released xylyl bromide gas against Russian trenches on the Eastern Front. This marked the first large-scale deployment of chemical agents in warfare. Cold weather reduced the gas’s effectiveness, limiting its immediate impact but demonstrating the potential of chemical weapons. The incident foreshadowed the deadly gas bombardments that would later devastate troops on the Western Front. The use of poison gas in World War I opened a new, grim chapter in military history and led to subsequent international bans on chemical weapons.
1915
World War I
Germany
poison gas
Battle of Bolimów
Russia
1917day.year
World War I: Kaiser Wilhelm II orders the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare.
Kaiser Wilhelm II ordered Germany to resume unrestricted submarine warfare, escalating WWI maritime conflict.
On January 31, 1917, Kaiser Wilhelm II issued an order to resume unrestricted submarine warfare against Allied and neutral shipping. German U-boats were instructed to sink vessels without warning, aiming to cut off supplies to Britain. The policy shift followed failures to break British blockades through diplomatic and conventional means. The renewed submarine campaign achieved significant sinkings but also provoked international outrage. Notably, attacks on neutral ships helped draw the United States into World War I two months later.
1917
resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare
1918day.year
Finnish Civil War: The Suinula massacre, which changes the nature of the war in a more hostile direction, takes place in Kangasala.
During the Finnish Civil War, White Guard troops execute villagers at Suinula in Kangasala, escalating the conflict's brutality.
On January 31, 1918, White Guard forces entered the village of Suinula near Kangasala to suppress suspected Red supporters.
Over a dozen male villagers were summarily executed without trial in what became known as the Suinula massacre.
The atrocity sent shockwaves through Finland, deepening mistrust and fueling retaliatory violence.
This event marked a shift toward harsher tactics and reprisals on both sides of the civil war.
The Suinula massacre remains a stark reminder of the bitter divisions that tore Finland apart in 1918.
Finnish Civil War
Suinula massacre
Kangasala
1942day.year
World War II: Allied forces are defeated by the Japanese at the Battle of Malaya and retreat to Singapore.
In early 1942, Japanese troops rout Allied defenders in Malaya, forcing a strategic retreat to Singapore.
On January 31, 1942, Japanese forces overwhelmed British and Commonwealth troops during the Battle of Malaya.
Superior tactics and air support allowed the Japanese to break through Allied defensive lines.
Allied units fell back in disarray, abandoning key positions ahead of the enemy advance.
The defeat left the British stronghold of Singapore increasingly isolated and vulnerable.
This setback marked a significant shift in the Pacific War, undermining Allied morale and opening the door to Japan’s further southward expansion.
1942
World War II
Battle of Malaya
1943day.year
World War II: German field marshal Friedrich Paulus surrenders to the Soviets at Stalingrad, followed two days later by the remainder of his Sixth Army, ending one of the war's fiercest battles.
Field Marshal Paulus surrenders at Stalingrad, sealing the fate of Germany’s Sixth Army and turning the tide of WWII.
On January 31, 1943, German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus capitulated to Soviet forces after months of encirclement in Stalingrad.
Paulus had been promoted to Field Marshal with the implicit hope he would choose suicide over surrender.
His decision to yield marked the first time a German Field Marshal surrendered to the enemy.
Two days later, the remaining remnants of the Sixth Army laid down their weapons.
The defeat shattered the myth of German invincibility and shifted momentum decisively in favor of the Allies on the Eastern Front.
1943
Friedrich Paulus
Stalingrad
1944day.year
World War II: American forces land on Kwajalein Atoll and other islands in the Japanese-held Marshall Islands.
U.S. troops launch a major amphibious assault on Kwajalein Atoll, marking the start of the Marshall Islands campaign.
On January 31, 1944, American forces executed a massive amphibious landing on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
The operation was part of the Allies’ island-hopping strategy to approach Japan.
Despite fierce Japanese fortifications, U.S. Marines and soldiers secured key beaches after intense combat.
Air and naval bombardments provided crucial cover, minimizing American casualties.
The victory opened the gateway for further advances across the Central Pacific toward the Japanese home islands.
1944
Kwajalein Atoll
Marshall Islands