On this day in military history, June 24: 0972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces. 1128 - Battle of São Mamede, near Guimarães. Portuguese forces led by Alfonso I defeat his mother D.Teresa and D.Fernão Peres de Trava. After this battle, the future king calls himself "Prince of Portugal", the first step towards "official independence" in 1143. 1314 - End of the Battle of Bannockburn. Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce defeat Edward II of England. Scotland regains its independence. 1340 - Hundred Years' War: Battle of Sluys The French fleet was almost totally destroyed by the English Fleet commanded in person by Edward III of England. 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon's Grande Armée crosses the Neman River beginning his invasion of Russia. 1813 - Battle of Beaver Dams : A British, and Indian joint force defeat the U.S Army. 1821 - Battle of Carabobo - Battle of Carabobo was the decisive battle in the war of independence of Venezuela from Spain. 1859 - Battle of Solferino: (Battle of the Three Sovereigns). Sardinia and France defeat Austria in Solferino, northern Italy. 1861 - Federal gunboats attack Confederate batteries at Mathias Point, Virginia. 1862 - U.S. intervention saves the British and French at the Dagu forts in China. 1910 - The Japanese army invades Korea. 1916 - Battle of the Somme begins with a week long artillery bombardment on the German Line. 1932 - A military coup ends the absolute power of the king of Siam (Thailand). 1940 - France and Italy sign an armistice. 1943 - Royal Air Force Bombers hammer Muelheim, Germany, in a drive to cripple the Ruhr industrial base. 1948 - The Soviet Union begins the Berlin Blockade, America responds with the Berlin Airlift. 1955 - Soviet MIGs down a U.S. Navy patrol plane over the Bering Strait.

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