major battles of US history

Battle of Lexington and Concord (Massachusetts)

First military engagements of the Revolutionary War. “The shot heard ’round the world.”

Battle of Bunker Hill (Massachusetts)

Early and symbolic battle showing American resilience despite British victory.

Battle of Saratoga (New York)

Turning point that convinced France to join the American cause.

Battle of Yorktown (Virginia)

Final major battle of the Revolution; British General Cornwallis surrenders.

Battle of Lake Erie (Ohio)

Secured American control of the Great Lakes; naval victory under Oliver Hazard Perry.

Battle of New Orleans (Louisiana)

Stunning U.S. victory under Andrew Jackson; fought after the peace treaty was signed.

Battle of Bladensburg (Maryland)

British victory that allowed the burning of Washington, D.C., including the White House.

Battle of Palo Alto (Texas)

First major battle of the Mexican-American War; U.S. victory under Zachary Taylor.

Battle of Resaca de la Palma (Texas)

Follow-up victory that pushed Mexican forces across the Rio Grande.

Battle of Fort Sumter (South Carolina)

Confederate forces fired on a U.S. fort, starting the Civil War.

First Battle of Bull Run (Virginia)

First major land battle; Confederate victory shattered Union hopes of a short war.

Battle of Antietam (Maryland)

Bloodiest single day in American history; strategic Union win led to Emancipation Proclamation.

Battle of Gettysburg (Pennsylvania)

Turning point in the Eastern theater; major Union victory.

Siege of Vicksburg (Mississippi)

Gave Union control of the Mississippi River; split the Confederacy.

Battle of Atlanta (Georgia)

Key Union victory that helped re-elect Lincoln and began Sherman’s March.

Appomattox Court House (Virginia)

General Lee’s surrender to Grant; effectively ends the Civil War.

Battle of San Juan Hill (Cuba)

Decisive U.S. victory; boosted Teddy Roosevelt’s national profile.

Battle of Manila Bay (Philippines)

U.S. naval forces destroyed the Spanish Pacific fleet.

Battle of Cantigny (France)

First major American offensive in WWI; symbolic success.

Battle of Belleau Wood (France)

U.S. Marines gained a fierce reputation; halted German advance.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive (France)

Largest U.S. operation in WWI; contributed to German surrender.

Attack on Pearl Harbor (Hawaii)

Surprise Japanese attack; brought U.S. into WWII.

Battle of Midway (Midway Atoll)

Turning point in Pacific; U.S. sank four Japanese carriers.

Battle of Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands)

First major Allied offensive in Pacific; shifted momentum.

Battle of Normandy – D-Day (France)

Largest amphibious invasion; began Allied liberation of Western Europe.

Battle of the Bulge (Belgium)

Last major German offensive; high U.S. casualties, but decisive defense.

Battle of Iwo Jima (Pacific island)

Brutal Marine victory; iconic flag-raising photo.

Battle of Okinawa (Pacific island)

Final major Pacific battle; heavy casualties, precursor to atomic bomb.

Battle of Inchon (South Korea)

Amphibious landing; dramatic reversal in favor of U.N. forces.

Battle of Chosin Reservoir (North Korea)

Heroic U.S. Marine retreat under fire in brutal winter.

Tet Offensive (South Vietnam)

Coordinated North Vietnamese attacks; undermined U.S. public support.

Battle of Hue (South Vietnam)

Fierce urban combat during Tet Offensive; U.S. retook the city.

Battle of Khe Sanh (South Vietnam)

77-day siege; key symbolic U.S. stand.

Battle of 73 Easting (Iraq)

High-tech tank battle; U.S. destroyed large Iraqi armored force.

Battle of Tora Bora (Afghanistan)

Failed U.S. attempt to capture Osama bin Laden in mountain caves.

Battle of Marjah (Afghanistan)

Major NATO offensive to root out Taliban control in Helmand Province.

Battle of Baghdad (Iraq)

Led to the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Second Battle of Fallujah (Iraq)

Intense urban fighting; most violent battle for U.S. since Vietnam.