Browse Historical Events by Month: What Happened in July?

The Battle of Lake Peipus occurs between the Teutonic Knights and the Novgorod Republic, with the Novgorod forces emerging victorious.

Mindaugas is crowned as the first and only King of Lithuania, establishing the Kingdom of Lithuania.

The Battle of Ain Jalut occurs between the Mongol Empire and the Mamluk Sultanate, resulting in a decisive Mamluk victory and halting the Mongol expansion into the Middle East.

The Edict of Expulsion is issued in England, ordering the expulsion of all Jews from the country.

Edward II becomes King of England after the death of his father, Edward I.

King Philip IV of France orders the arrest of the Knights Templar, marking the beginning of their persecution and eventual dissolution.

The Battle of Kosovo takes place between the Ottoman Empire and an alliance of Balkan states led by Serbia, resulting in a costly but inconclusive outcome.

The Joseon Dynasty is established in Korea with the crowning of King Taejo as the first king of Joseon.

The Siege of Belgrade (Nándorfehérvár) by Sultan Mehmet II begins. Hungarian forces led by John Hunyadi a Hungarian nobleman and warlord of Vlach lineage, defended the city, ultimately compelling the wounded Sultan Mehmet II to lift the siege and retreat. The battle had significant consequences, as it stabilized the southern frontiers of the Kingdom of Hungary for more than half a century and delaying the Ottoman advance in Europe.

King Richard III of England is crowned, following the death of his nephew Edward V.

Vasco da Gama, Portuguese explorer and navigator, and the first person to sail directly from Europe to India. sails from Lisbon on his first voyage to India with a fleet of four vessels. The fleet crew three interpreters—two Arabic speakers and one who spoke several Bantu dialects. It also carried padraos, (stone pillars) to set up as marks of discovery. He eventually rounded the Cape of Good Hope on November 22 and three days later da Gama anchored in Mossel Bay and erected a padrão on an island. His trip ultimately opened a sea route from western Europe to Asia by way of the Cape of Good Hope, ushering in a new era in world history.

The Swiss Confederation defeats the forces of the Holy Roman Empire at the Battle of Dornach. More

Anne Boleyn is executed in England for high treason.

Abdication of Mary, Queen of Scots. After failing to quash a rebellion of Scottish peers, Mary was imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle and forced to abdicate in favor of her one-year-old son. More

The Spanish Armada is defeated. The Spanish fleet was led by the Duke of Medina Sidonia and its purpose was to overthrow Elizabeth I, to reinstate Catholicism in England and to end England's support for the Dutch Republic to prevent attacks by English and Dutch privateers against Spanish interests in the Americas. The English fleet was under the command of Charles Howard, 2nd Baron Howard of Effingham. His second in command was Sir Francis Drake. The Spanish Armada defeat is considered one of England's greatest military achievements. More

The Dutch explorer Henry Hudson sails into what is now New York Harbor, later establishing Dutch claims to the region.

The Mayflower departs from England on its voyage to North America, carrying the Pilgrims who would establish the Plymouth Colony.

The Battle of Adwalton Moor takes place during the English Civil War, resulting in a decisive victoy for the Parliamentarian forces.

The Battle of Plymouth takes place during the First Anglo-Dutch War, with the English fleet under Admiral Robert Blake repelling a Dutch attack on Plymouth.

King Charles II of England grants a charter establishing the Carolina Colony, named in honor of his father, Charles I.