The Battle of Austerlitz, fought near the town of Austerlitz in the Austrian Empire, stands as one of the most famous victories of Napoleon Bonaparte's military career. On this day, Napoleon faced a combined force of Russian and Austrian troops, numbering approximately 85,000 men under the command of Tsar Alexander I and Holy Roman Emperor Francis II. The battle occurred in the context of the War of the Third Coalition, a series of conflicts where major European powers sought to curb French expansion under Napoleon's rule.

Napoleon, aware that his forces, around 68,000 strong, were outnumbered, strategically positioned his troops in an area that appeared weak. By allowing the Allied forces to gain the heights of Pratzen, he was able to lure them into a trap. The French launched a surprise attack on the Allied right flank, which led to a swift disarray among the coalition troops. The French forces executed a well-coordinated offensive that capitalized on the Allies' overextension and lack of communication, leading to a complete rout.

The result was a staggering defeat for the Russo-Austrian forces, with estimated casualties of about 36,000 men for the Allies compared to the French losses of around 9,000. This remarkable victory not only solidified Napoleon's dominance in Europe but also significantly weakened the Third Coalition against France, leading to the Treaty of Pressburg and further establishing Napoleon's legacy as one of history's greatest military tacticians.