Historical Events tagged with "hakodate"

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.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Seikan Tunnel Opens Between Aomori and Hakodate

March 13th, 1988 37 years ago

The Seikan Tunnel, the longest undersea tunnel in the world, connects Aomori Prefecture in Honshu with Hakodate in Hokkaido, Japan. It spans approximately 53.85 kilometers, 23.3 of which are submerged beneath the Tsugaru Strait. Construction began in 1956, driven by the need for a reliable transportation link that could withstand harsh winter weather and turbulent seas. The tunnel significantly improved transportation for both passengers and freight, making travel between the islands more efficient.

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Military & Warfare

Viktor Belenko Defects with MiG-25 Fighter Jet

September 6th, 1976 48 years ago

Viktor Belenko, a Soviet Air Defence Forces pilot, landed a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 jet fighter in Hakodate, Japan, where he subsequently requested political asylum in the United States. The event received significant media attention due to the military technology involved and Belenko's escape from the Soviet Union, highlighting Cold War tensions and the struggles for individual freedoms. His defection ultimately led to a re-evaluation of Western perceptions of Soviet military capabilities, and he was granted asylum by the United States government.

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Military & Warfare

Naval Battle of Hakodate Concludes

May 4th, 1869 155 years ago

The four-day Naval Battle of Hakodate marks a decisive victory for the Imperial Japanese Navy against the Tokugawa shogunate navy. Occurring in the Sea of Japan near Hakodate, this naval confrontation leads directly to the surrender of the Ezo Republic on May 17. The battle signifies a pivotal turning point in the broader conflict between the forces of the Imperial government and the remnants of the shogunate.

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