Battles That Shaped A Nation

For good and bad, American history was written in the smoke of battlefields. From the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord to daring operations of modern special forces, some battles didn't just decide victors and losers; they shaped the nation. Here are 20 of the US's most defining clashes. 

Joe Rosenthal on Wikimedia

1. The Battle of Yorktown

The Battle of Yorktown is arguably the single most important battle in US history because it was the one that officially earned the US its independence. It was the final battle in the American Revolutionary War, where American and French forces defeated the British.

Alfred Waud on Wikimedia

2. The Battle of New Orleans

The Battle of New Orleans was the final major battle of the War of 1812. It was General Andrew Jackson's stunning victory against the British, who suffered over 2,000 casualties in comparison to the Americans, who lost fewer than 100. It made Jackson a national hero.

Dennis Malone Carter on Wikimedia

3. The First Battle of Bull Run

The First Battle of Bull Run was the first major land battle of the American Civil War, fought in Northern Virginia in 1861. Everyone expected an easy Union victory, but instead, General "Stonewall" Jackson and his troops held their ground and eventually forced a Union retreat. It premonitioned that the war would be long and bloody, not a short campaign as everyone expected.

William Ridgway on Wikimedia

4. The Battle of Antietam

The Battle of Antietam during the American Civil War was the bloodiest day in American history. Confederate General Robert E. Lee tried to invade Union territory, but his forces were intercepted, and the battle turned into a stalemate with nearly 23,000 casualties. The Union technically won the battle despite having suffered more losses, which allowed Lincoln to pass the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery.

Alexander Gardner (1821-1882) on Wikimedia

5. The Battles of Lexington and Concord

The Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the American Revolutionary War. It was the moment when years of protesting British taxes finally erupted into battle, proving that the Americans were willing to fight. At Concord, the British outnumbered and easily overwhelmed the Americans, but at Lexington, the Americans shocked the world with a victory.

William Barnes Wollen on Wikimedia

6. The Battle of the Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Mexican general Santa Anna led a force vastly outnumbering the Texans, who, after holding them off for 13 days, were all killed. Despite the horrific defeat, it became a powerful symbol of resistance, the Texans shouting "remember the Alamo" as a rallying cry at subsequent battles.

Robert Jenkins Onderdonk on Wikimedia

7. The Battle of San Jacinto

The Battle of San Jacinto was a decisive victory in the Texas Revolution that secured Texas's independence from Mexico. Texan General Sam Houston sealed a victory against Santa Anna by luring him into a trap and launching a surprise attack, overwhelming the Mexicans in just 18 minutes, despite being outnumbered.

Henry Arthur McArdle on Wikimedia

8. The Battle of Belleau Wood

A critical battle during WWI, it's famous for establishing the stellar reputation of the US Marine Corps. German forces advancing toward Paris were intercepted by US Marine Regiments who fought in brutal hand-to-hand combat to halt the German advance, earning themselves legendary status.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Ortiz on Wikimedia

9. The Attack on Pearl Harbor

The Attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Japanese Navy against the Americans at their naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It's a tragic day that lives on in the collective memory of Americans, with more than 2,400 Americans killed. It prompted the US to enter WWII.

Unknown navy photographer on Wikimedia

10. The Battle of Quebec 

The Battle of Quebec was a remarkably brief but decisive conflict in the Seven Years' War. The battle ended with a British victory, effectively terminating France's control over Canada. 

The British Library on Wikimedia

11. The Battle of Saratoga

The Battle of Saratoga was a pair of battles that marked the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. It was the first major victory for the Americans and convinced France to formally ally with the US.

British Library on Unsplash

12. The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway was one of the most important naval battles of WWII and a turning point in the Pacific Theater. The US Navy intercepted Japanese communications, uncovering plans for another surprise attack just six months after Pearl Harbor. When Japan launched it, the Americans were ready, and they came out victorious, effectively stopping Japanese expansion.

collection by DanieleDF1995 (talk) on Wikimedia

13. The Invasion of Normandy

The Invasion of Normandy (D-Day) was the largest amphibious assault in history, marking the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. The Allies, under General Dwight D. Eisenhower, planned a massive invasion that included elaborate deception tactics like fake armies and false intelligence. 

Chief Photographer's Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent on Wikimedia

14. The Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle of the American Civil War. It was a bloody three-day conflict that ended General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North and turned the tide of the war, forcing the Confederates into more defensive positions for the remainder of it.

James Edward Kelly, Engraver on Wikimedia

15. The Battle of Iwo Jima

One of the most brutal battles of the Pacific Theater in WWII, the Battle of Iwo Jima saw US Marines storming Japan's strategically vital island of Iwo Jima. The battle resulted in an American victory, but it was a remarkably bloody battle with heavy casualties on both sides.

Archives Branch, USMC History Division on Wikimedia

16. The Battle of Inchon

The Battle of Inchon saw the US Marines and UN forces storm the South Korean port city of Inchon, defending it from a North Korean invasion. This battle is one of the most brilliant amphibious operations in history and marked a major turning point in the Korean War. 

Unknown Marine on Wikimedia

17. The Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive was one of the most significant battles in the Vietnam War. It saw more than 80,000 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese troops attack over 100 cities, towns, and military bases across South Vietnam. The offensive was eventually stopped by American and South Vietnamese forces, but it shocked the American public and turned support against the war.

Meyerson, Joel D. on Wikimedia

18. The Siege of Vicksburg

The Siege of Vicksburg was a decisive battle in the American Civil War fought along the Mississippi River. It gave the Union control of the river and split the Confederacy in two and crippling its supply lines.

Kurz and Allison on Wikimedia

19. The Battle of Fallujah

The Battle of Fallujah during the Iraq War was one of the most intense urban conflicts the US experienced since Vietnam. The city was devastated, and the battle, which was marked by high civilian casualties, sparked international outrage, leading the US to halt the offensive before taking the city. 

Mahmoud Hosseini on Wikimedia

20. Operation Neptune Spear

Operation Neptune Spear was the US Navy SEAL mission that killed Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks. It was a major victory for US counterterrorism and gave Americans who were affected by 9/11 closure.

Josh Pesavento on Wikimedia