Historical Events tagged with "french navy"

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

First Foreign Naval Salute to US Flag

February 14th, 1778 247 years ago

French Admiral Toussaint-Guillaume Picquet de la Motte recognized the USS Ranger with a nine-gun salute, marking the first formal acknowledgment of the United States flag by a foreign naval vessel. This salute demonstrated France's support for the American cause during the Revolutionary War and symbolized diplomatic recognition. The salute occurred off the coast of Quiberon Bay, France, while John Paul Jones commanded the Ranger, an important symbol of American naval strength.

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Military & Warfare

Admiral Hawke's Victory at Cape Finisterre

October 25th, 1747 277 years ago

A British fleet commanded by Admiral Edward Hawke secured a decisive victory over a French squadron at the Second Battle of Cape Finisterre. This confrontation, part of the War of the Austrian Succession, showcased British naval superiority and strategic prowess. The battle demonstrated key naval tactics and was significant in maintaining British control of trade routes in the Atlantic and disrupting French naval operations.

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Military & Warfare

D'Iberville's Victory at Hudson's Bay

September 5th, 1697 327 years ago

Captain Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville commanded a French warship that successfully defeated an English squadron during a naval engagement in Hudson's Bay. This encounter highlighted both the maritime skill of the French forces and the strategic importance of Hudson's Bay in the ongoing conflict between France and England. The battle not only showcased d'Iberville's naval prowess but also altered the balance of power in the region.

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