12th May

World War I (1914–1918)

1915 — Poison Gas at Ypres

During the Second Battle of Ypres, German forces continued the first major use of chlorine gas against Allied troops near Ypres, Belgium.
The attacks transformed modern warfare and led to widespread development of chemical weapons protection.

Interwar Period

1926 — Polish Coup d’État Begins

Marshal Józef Piłsudski launched a military coup in Warsaw, beginning several days of fighting that reshaped Poland’s government before World War II.

World War II (1939–1945)

1940 — German Blitzkrieg Advances Through France

German armored forces rapidly expanded their offensive during the Battle of France, breaking through Allied defenses and accelerating the collapse of France.

1942 — Second Battle of Kharkov Begins

Soviet forces launched a major offensive near Kharkov against German Army Group South.
The battle eventually became a major Soviet defeat after German counterattacks encircled Soviet armies.

1943 — North African Campaign Ends

Axis forces in Tunisia surrendered, ending the North African campaign.
The Allied victory opened the way for the invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy.

1945 — Fighting Around Prague Continues

Although Germany had officially surrendered days earlier, combat continued during the Prague offensive as Soviet troops and Czech resistance forces cleared remaining German units.

Early Cold War

1949 — Berlin Blockade Lifted

The Soviet Union ended the Berlin Blockade after the success of the Western Allied Berlin Airlift, one of the first major confrontations of the Cold War.

Vietnam War Era

1968 — Battle of Kham Duc

During the Vietnam War, US and South Vietnamese forces evacuated Kham Duc under heavy North Vietnamese pressure in one of the war’s most dramatic air evacuations.

Modern Era

1999 — NATO Air Campaign Intensifies

NATO increased bombing operations against Yugoslav military targets during the Kosovo War.

2008 — Sichuan Earthquake Military Relief Effort

China’s military began a massive disaster-relief operation following the devastating Sichuan earthquake.