Today in History - 21st October
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Today in History - 21st October21st October 1805 - Nelson's British navy defeats French and Spanish fleets at Battle of Trafalgar220 years ago today, the Battle of Trafalgar was fought off the southwest coast of Spain, in which the British Royal Navy, commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain. The victory dashed Napoleon's hopes of invading Britain and secured British control of the seas for more than a century. The battle was part of Napoleon’s wider strategy to draw the Royal Navy away from the English Channel, allowing his invasion force to cross from France. Nelson, commanding 27 ships of the line, intercepted the enemy fleet near Cape Trafalgar, in the southwest of Spain, and employed bold tactics, splitting his force into two columns to smash through the enemy line. After hours of fierce fighting, the Franco-Spanish fleet was decisively defeated, losing 22 ships, whilst the British lost none. Amid the triumph, Nelson was mortally wounded by a French sniper, dying shortly after hearing news of his success. Defeat at Trafalgar shattered Napoleon’s hopes of invading Britain and confirmed British dominance of the seas. Meanwhile, Nelson’s courage and sacrifice made him a national hero, his memory being honoured by monuments like Nelson’s Column in London’s Trafalgar Square. Like what you read - Why not share this link and tell your friends to subscribe? |
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