Siege Timeline of Events

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Siege

A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static defensive position...

Timeline of Events

1453

5.29.1453

Fall of Constantinople: Ottoman armies under Sultan Mehmed II Fatih capture Constantinople after a 53-day siege, ending the Byzantine Empire. Although the date of May 29, 1453 is that of the Julian Calendar, the event is commemorated in Istanbul on this day of the present Gregorian calendar.

1847

3.29.1847

Mexican-American War: United States forces led by General Winfield Scott take Veracruz after a siege.

1863

11.17.1863

American Civil War: Siege of Knoxville begins – Confederate forces led by General James Longstreet place Knoxville, Tennessee under siege.

1899

11.2.1899

The Boers begin their 118 day siege of British held Ladysmith during the Second Boer War.

1961

7.20.1961

French military forces break the Tunisian siege of Bizerte.

1984

4.17.1984

Police Constable Yvonne Fletcher is killed by gunfire from the Libyan People's Bureau in London during a small demonstration outside the embassy. Ten others are wounded. The events lead to an 11-day siege of the building.