Historical Events tagged with "bombing"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

Luftwaffe Bombs Rotterdam Ceasefire Violation

May 14th, 1940 84 years ago

The Luftwaffe bombed Rotterdam, Netherlands, resulting in approximately 900 civilian deaths and significant destruction. Despite an existing ceasefire, this attack devastated the city center, erasing much of its historic architecture in a single bombing raid. The bombing was part of a broader strategy by Nazi Germany during its invasion of the Netherlands.

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Crime & Law

Coventry Bombing by Irish Republican Army

August 25th, 1939 85 years ago

The Irish Republican Army executed a bombing in Coventry, UK, resulting in the deaths of five civilians. The attack was aimed at political objectives in Britain leading up to World War II, reflecting tensions related to Irish nationalism. The bombing struck a crowd near a busy intersection, causing immediate chaos and casualties.

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Politics & Government

League of Nations Outlaws Civilian Bombings

September 30th, 1938 86 years ago

The League of Nations convened members to reach a unanimous resolution outlawing the intentional bombing of civilian populations. This decision stemmed from growing concerns over aerial bombardments during conflicts, particularly as tensions in Europe escalated prior to World War II. This move reflected a desire to establish international humanitarian standards, emphasizing the protection of non-combatants in warfare.

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Military & Warfare

Guernica Bombing by Nazi Germany and Italy

April 26th, 1937 87 years ago

The town of Guernica, Spain, was subjected to devastating aerial bombardment by the German Condor Legion and the Italian Aviazione Legionaria during the Spanish Civil War. This coordinated attack occurred in support of Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces against the Republic. Over several hours, the attack led to significant destruction of the town's infrastructure and a high civilian death toll. The bombing has since been immortalized in Pablo Picasso's famous mural, which depicts the horrors of war and has become a symbol of anti-war sentiment. The raid aimed to demoralize the Republican faction, demonstrating the potency of aerial warfare in modern conflicts.

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Military & Warfare

Italian Air Force Bombs Red Cross Hospital

December 30th, 1935 89 years ago

In an unexpected act, the Italian Air Force bombed a Swedish Red Cross hospital in Abyssinia during escalating conflict in the region. The attack occurred amidst the Second Italo-Abyssinian War, highlighting the intense military strategy employed by Italy. This incident raised significant concerns about the targeting of non-combatants and humanitarian facilities, as the hospital was clearly marked with Red Cross insignia, intended to protect the site under international law.

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Crime & Law

Bombing at Bath School in Michigan

May 18th, 1927 97 years ago

A bombing incident occurred at the Bath Consolidated School in Bath Township, Michigan, resulting in the deaths of forty-five individuals, including many children. The perpetrator, Andrew Kehoe, a school-board member, planted explosives with the intent to seek revenge after losing a local election. The horrific attack shocked the community and garnered national attention as one of the deadliest school-related attacks in American history.

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Politics & Government

St Nedelya Church Assault in Sofia

April 16th, 1925 99 years ago

A devastating assault occurred during a church service at St Nedelya Church in Sofia, Bulgaria, where a bomb exploded, resulting in approximately 150 casualties and over 500 wounded. The attack was orchestrated by the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) during a period of political turmoil in Bulgaria, targeting the government and its supporters. The explosion shocked the nation and drew attention to the rising violence and instability within the country.

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Crime & Law

Explosion Outside J. P. Morgan Building

September 16th, 1920 104 years ago

A bomb exploded in a horse-drawn wagon in front of the J. P. Morgan building in New York City, killing 38 individuals and injuring around 400 others. The explosion occurred at noon, creating chaos in the densely populated area. The wagon had been parked on Wall Street, and investigators believed it was intentionally placed there as part of a larger act of violence. The motives behind the bombing were speculated to be rooted in various radical movements of the time, including anarchism, and it marked a significant moment in the history of domestic terrorism in the United States.

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Crime & Law

Coordinated Anarchist Bomb Attacks Across USA

June 2nd, 1919 105 years ago

Anarchists targeted officials in multiple U.S. cities with simultaneous bombings to instill fear and demonstrate their opposition to government authority. On June 2, 1919, several cities including New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. were rocked by explosions that primarily aimed to harm political figures. While the bombings succeeded in drawing attention to their cause, they also resulted in significant arrests and increased government scrutiny of anarchist activities, as law enforcement intensified their efforts against perceived radicals.

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