Historical Events tagged with "militia"

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.

Crime & Law

Montana Freemen Surrender After Prolonged Standoff

June 13th, 1996 28 years ago

A standoff between the Montana Freemen and the FBI culminated in the surrender of the group's members after 81 days of conflict. The Freemen, a militia group that rejected government authority, occupied a compound near Jordan, Montana. The FBI's attempts to negotiate their surrender were lengthy and complex, marked by inter-agency coordination and legal concerns. Eventually, pressure from various fronts led to their capitulation, resolving a tense situation that had drawn national attention.

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Crime & Law

FBI Sniper Shoots Vicki Weaver at Ruby Ridge

August 22nd, 1992 32 years ago

Vicki Weaver was shot and killed by FBI sniper Lon Horiuchi during an 11-day standoff at the Weaver family home in Ruby Ridge, Idaho. The incident occurred after an armed siege following a federal investigation into the family's illegal activities, which included the illegal sale of weapons. The confrontation escalated significantly, involving local law enforcement and federal agencies amid a backdrop of rising tensions related to government authority and militias.

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Military & Warfare

Beginning of Ethnic Cleansing in Kozarac

May 24th, 1992 32 years ago

Serbian militia and police forces entered Kozarac, beginning a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bosniak civilians. The coordinated military operation led to widespread violence, including mass killings and forced displacement. Residents were subjected to brutal treatment as the forces aimed to consolidate control over the area and instill fear among the local population. This event marked a significant escalation in the ethnic tensions and violence that characterized Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict.

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Military & Warfare

Terrorist Attack in Beirut Kills Many Palestinians

August 13th, 1978 46 years ago

A terrorist attack in Beirut resulted in the deaths of approximately 150 Palestinians. This occurred during the second phase of the Lebanese Civil War, a time of intense conflict characterized by sectarian violence and political struggles. The attack targeted a gathering predominantly composed of Palestinian refugees and was a significant event within the larger scope of Lebanese turmoil, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions affecting the region.

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Military & Warfare

Mass Killing during the Tel al-Zaatar Siege

August 12th, 1976 48 years ago

The Tel al-Zaatar massacre was a significant event in the Lebanese Civil War where an estimated 1,000 to 3,500 Palestinians were killed. The conflict occurred during a prolonged siege in the Palestinian refugee camp of Tel al-Zaatar, located in Lebanon. The massacre primarily involved the Lebanese Forces militia and resulted from escalating tensions and violent confrontations between various factions. The violence at the camp was marked by severe brutality, as the militia besieged and attacked the area over a period, leading to a catastrophic loss of life among the Palestinian community.

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Military & Warfare

Phalangist Attack Kills PFLP Members in Lebanon

April 13th, 1975 49 years ago

An armed attack by the Phalangist resistance killed 26 members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, igniting a multi-faceted conflict in Lebanon. The incident was one of several that showcased growing tensions among various factions, with significant implications for the country's stability. Sparked by the rivalries of local militias, the attack marked a pivot point that would ultimately lead to the Lebanese Civil War, a brutal and protracted struggle involving various domestic and international stakeholders.

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Politics & Government

Formation of Catalonia's Antifascist Militias Committee

July 21st, 1936 88 years ago

The Central Committee of Antifascist Militias in Catalonia was established shortly after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. This committee aimed to organize and unify various militia groups operating in the region, primarily those with anarcho-syndicalist ideologies. The committee sought to facilitate a collective approach to the fight against fascism while instilling principles of self-management and worker control over economic activities. The formation marked a pivotal moment in the governance of Catalonia during the conflict.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

General Strike and Workers' Militias in Spain

July 19th, 1936 88 years ago

On July 19, 1936, following a military coup led by General Francisco Franco, the anarcho-syndicalist Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT) and the socialist Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT) called for a general strike in Spain. This strike aimed to mobilize workers and organize militias to resist the advancing Nationalist forces. Across various cities, including Barcelona and Madrid, workers armed themselves in defense of the republic, marking a pivotal moment in the Spanish Civil War.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Governor Waite Orders Militia Support for Miners

June 6th, 1894 130 years ago

In a pivotal response to the Cripple Creek miners' strike, Colorado Governor Davis H. Waite ordered the state militia to support the striking miners. The Cripple Creek area, known for its gold mining, experienced rising tensions due to labor disputes over wages and working conditions. Miners were protesting against oppressive labor practices by mine owners, which led to violent clashes. Waite's decision to deploy the militia aimed to restore peace and uphold workers' rights, highlighting the ongoing conflict between labor and capital in the American West.

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