The United States has been attacked several times throughout its history as a country, including attacks on U.S. states and territories, embassies and consulates, or the military of the United States. Attacks against the United States include military offensives, raids, artillery and airstrikes, and terrorism bombings and shootings. The most recent enemy attack against the United States was by the Yemen-based Houthis between December 9–10, 2024 in the Gulf of Aden. However, the most recent attack against the United States was an accidental friendly fire missile attack on December 22, 2024.

Following the ratification of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which formally formed the United States, Patriot forces organized as the Continental Army and commanded by George Washington fought against and defeated the British Army. Following the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which formally ended the war, Great Britain ceded all mainland territories east of the Mississippi River, south of the Great Lakes, and north of the Floridas to the United States and recognized the independence of the United States.^[1] Until the end of the war, the United States had no internationally recognized territory and was considered part of the First British Empire.^[2]

An undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France, arising from French resentment of the Jay Treaty between Great Britain and the United States, during the French Revolutionary Wars. French privateers and naval vessels targeted American shipping in the Caribbean and Atlantic, capturing hundreds of merchant vessels and disrupting trade. On February 9, 1799, the French frigate L'Insurgente fought against the United States' frigate USS Constellation.^[3] The Convention of 1800 ended the undeclared war between France and the United States.^[4][5][6]

The Chesapeake campaign during the War of 1812 was a military naval and land offensive by the British along the East Coast of the United States.^[7][8] In April 1813, British forces launched raids on the Rappahannock River, capturing or destroying American merchant and military vessels. A month later, in May, they attacked Havre de Grace, burning much of the town and terrorizing its residents. The campaign saw a key defensive victory for the Americans at the Battle of Craney Island in June 1813, where American forces repelled a British assault aimed at capturing Norfolk, Virginia and its naval yard. However, the British retaliated with raids of Hampton, Virginia, marked by brutal conduct against civilians. In July 1813, British forces disrupted American shipping off the coast of North Carolina by capturing the town of Ocracoke and nearby Portsmouth.^{[citation needed]}

In August 1814, the British escalated their campaign, targeting key political and military sites. After routing American forces at the battle of Bladensburg, where unprepared militia scattered under fire, the British marched into Washington, D.C., and carried out the Burning of Washington, torching the Capitol, White House, and other federal buildings. They then turned their attention to Baltimore but were checked at the battle of Baltimore, particularly at Fort McHenry, where American defenders famously withstood a relentless bombardment and where Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner". The campaign culminated in the raid of Alexandria, where the British plundered the city without resistance.^{[citation needed]}

Following the United States' annexation of Texas in 1845, the Mexican government claimed they still owned the portion of Texas between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande.^[9] On April 25, 1846, approximately 1,600 Mexican soldiers, under the command of General Mariano Arista, crossed the border into the United States and began an invasion, with the goal to hold and occupy the territory claimed by Mexico. American Captain Seth B. Thornton was sent to investigate a report of Mexican soldiers crossing the border, which led him and his 80 men into an ambush.^[9] With the Mexican forces still occupying part of Texas, American General Zachary Taylor took the Army of Occupation to fight the now reinforced Mexican Army of The North. Between May 3–9, the Mexican forces attempted to siege to the American "Fort Texas". Following the Mexican defeats during the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8 and the battle of Resaca de la Palma on May 9, the Mexican forces withdrew from American territory, ending the brief invasion.^[9][10] In total, 60 Americans died during the Texas Campaign.^{[citation needed]}

Following the fall of Mexico City in September 1847, the United States began a military occupation of the city and surrounding area. During the eight-month occupation under John A. Quitman, the named Military Governor of Mexico City, several attacks by Mexican resistance took place against the occupation forces, especially in the first three days which involved "intense and bloody street fighting".^[11][12][13] In total, 4,356 Americans died as a result of the occupation of Mexico City.^{[citation needed]}

Following the secession of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, the Confederate States of America was formed on February 8, 1861. The Confederate States of America was an unrecognized de facto breakaway country from the United States, primarily due to no European power desiring to get involved in the conflict.^[14]

John Brown, a radical abolitionist, sought to ignite a slave uprising by seizing the federal armory and arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia). With a small force of 21 men, including five African Americans, Brown aimed to distribute the captured weapons to enslaved people in the region, sparking a broader rebellion against slavery. On the night of October 16, 1859, Brown and his men easily captured the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry and briefly held hostages, including prominent local citizens. However, the town's residents and local militia quickly mobilized, surrounding the raiders and cutting off their escape. The situation escalated when a company of U.S. Marines, under the command of then-Colonel Robert E. Lee, stormed the armory on October 18, killing most of Brown's men and capturing him alive. The raid failed to achieve its immediate objectives, as no large-scale slave rebellion materialized and Brown was later executed for treason.^[15][16]

On the morning of April 12, Confederate forces under General P. G. T. Beauregard opened fire on the United States' Fort Sumter, South Carolina, after the Union commanding officer Major Robert Anderson refused to surrender. For 34 hours, Confederate artillery bombarded the fort, while Union forces, outgunned and outmatched, offered only limited resistance. On April 13, with supplies dwindling and the fort heavily damaged, Anderson agreed to surrender. Remarkably, there were no fatalities during the bombardment, though one Union soldier was killed during a ceremonial cannon salute after the surrender. The Battle of Fort Sumter is regarding as the formal start of the American Civil War.^[17]

In February 1862, Confederate forces under General Henry Hopkins Sibley advanced into the New Mexico Territory, aiming to capture key areas and push into Colorado and California. The campaign began with the battle of Valverde on February 21, where Confederate troops defeated Union forces near Fort Craig but failed to capture the fort, leaving a Union stronghold in their rear. Sibley’s forces continued north, seizing Albuquerque and Santa Fe with little resistance. The turning point came at the Battle of Glorieta Pass between March 26–28, where Union troops destroyed the Confederate supply train in a flanking attack, crippling Sibley’s campaign. Forced to retreat, the Confederates faced further harassment during the skirmishes at Albuquerque on April 8 and at Peralta on April 15. These setbacks, combined with severe logistical challenges, forced the Confederates to abandon their ambitions in the Southwest. The campaign’s failure secured Union control of the New Mexico Territory and Confederate Arizona for the remainder of the Civil War and marked the end of Confederate expansion westward.^[18][19]

The Confederate operation in the Shenandoah Valley between March–June 1862 was led by General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. The campaign began with the First Battle of Kernstown on March 23, where Jackson suffered a tactical defeat but succeeded in alarming Union leaders, prompting them to reinforce their forces in the region. In May, Jackson struck back at the Battle of McDowell on May 8, defeating Union General Robert H. Milroy and securing the western approaches to the Valley. Jackson's rapid movements continued with the Battle of Front Royal on May 23, where his forces overwhelmed a smaller Union garrison, forcing General Nathaniel P. Banks to retreat to Winchester, Virginia. At the First Battle of Winchester on May 25, Jackson routed Banks, capturing supplies and driving Union forces out of the Valley. In June, Union generals John C. Frémont and Erastus B. Tyler attempted to trap Jackson, but he skillfully divided his forces, defeating Fremont at the Battle of Cross Keys on June 8 and Tyler at the Battle of Port Republic on June 9. These victories secured Confederate control of the Shenandoah Valley and forced Union commanders to withdraw their forces.^[20]

The Seven Days Battles were a series of engagements in which Confederate General Robert E. Lee drove Union General George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac away from Richmond, Virginia, ending the Union's Peninsula Campaign. McClellan's forces had advanced to the outskirts of Richmond, threatening the Confederate capital, but Lee launched aggressive counteroffensives to turn the tide. The campaign began with the Battle of Oak Grove on June 25, a minor Union attack that failed to gain ground, followed by Lee's first major assault at the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek on June 26, which resulted in heavy Confederate losses but forced McClellan to reconsider his position. Lee’s strategy unfolded in the battle of Gaines' Mill (also known as the battle of Chickahominy River) on June 27, where a coordinated Confederate assault broke the Union right flank, compelling McClellan to retreat southward. Over the next several days, Lee pursued the Union army, engaging in the Battle of Savage's Station on June 29 and the battles at Glendale and at White Oak Swamp on June 30, where fierce fighting prevented Lee from cutting off McClellan's retreat. The campaign culminated in the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, where Union forces repelled repeated Confederate attacks with devastating artillery fire. Despite the Union victory at Malvern Hill, McClellan continued his retreat to the James River, effectively abandoning the campaign.^[21]

The Northern Virginia campaign in August 1862, was a major Confederate offensive led by General Robert E. Lee aimed at driving Union forces under General John Pope away from central and northern Virginia. The campaign started with the Battle of Cedar Mountain on August 9, where Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson defeated Union forces under General Nathaniel P. Banks, forcing Pope to consolidate his army near the Rappahannock River. For several days, both armies skirmished at the First Battle of Rappahannock Station (August 22–25), with no decisive outcome, as Lee maneuvered to flank Pope's army. Jackson executed a daring raid in the Battle of Manassas Station Operations (August 25–27), capturing Union supply depots at Manassas Junction, crippling Pope’s logistics. Meanwhile, Lee’s other corps under General James Longstreet forced its way through the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap on August 28, allowing the Confederate army to reunite. This set the stage for the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) between August 28–30, where Jackson's forces held a strong defensive line while Longstreet launched a massive counterattack, crushing Pope’s army and forcing a Union retreat toward Washington, D.C.. As the Union army fell back, Lee pursued aggressively. The campaign concluded with the Battle of Chantilly on September 1, where Union forces under generals Philip Kearny and Isaac Stevens fought a desperate rearguard action but were ultimately forced to withdraw after both commanders were killed.^[22]

The Confederate Heartland Offensive between April–October 1862, was a major Confederate campaign aimed at securing Kentucky and expanding Confederate control into the Union's heartland. The offensive began with the Great Locomotive Chase on April 12, a daring Union raid to disrupt Confederate railroads in Georgia that failed. Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's cavalry launched raids throughout Kentucky, including a victory at the Battle of Lebanon on May 5. General Braxton Bragg led another Confederate army into Tennessee, seizing the strategic Cumberland Gap and occupying the city of Chattanooga without a significant fight in early June. In August 1862, Confederate forces under General Edmund Kirby Smith advanced into eastern Kentucky, defeating Union troops at the Battle of Richmond (August 29–30), inflicting one of the Union’s most lopsided defeats. Bragg advanced into central Kentucky, capturing Munfordville (September 14–17) after a strong Union defense, while Morgan's cavalry disrupted Union communications at Riggins Hill. At the Battle of Perryville on October 8, Bragg's forces clashed with Union General Don Carlos Buell's army. Though Bragg tactically won part of the field, he failed to achieve a decisive victory and retreated from Kentucky, abandoning hopes of securing the state. Meanwhile, Confederate forces launched a symbolic raid on Cincinnati in Ohio.^[23]

The Maryland campaign in September 1862 was Confederate General Robert E. Lee's first major invasion of the Union. The campaign began with a Confederate victory at the Battle of Mile Hill on September 2, where Confederate cavalry under Colonel Thomas T. Munford drove back Union forces near Leesburg, Virginia. As Lee’s army moved into Maryland, he divided his forces, sending General "Stonewall" Jackson to capture the critical federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. After a three-day siege which ended on September 15, Jackson forced the surrender of over 12,000 Union troops, securing Lee's supply lines.^{[citation needed]}

Meanwhile, Union General George B. McClellan pursued Lee, fighting with Confederate defenders at Crampton's Gap and at South Mountain on September 14. Despite strong resistance, Union forces secured both mountain passes, forcing Lee to consolidate his army near Sharpsburg, Maryland. On September 17, the Union forces under McClellan fought against Lee's army in the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with over 22,000 casualties. The Union victory at Antietam halted Lee's invasion. After retreating across the Potomac River, Lee's rear guard fought a delaying action at the Battle of Shepherdstown (September 19–20), repelling Union forces and securing the Confederate withdrawal, formally ending Lee's invasion. During the Confederate withdrawal, J. E. B. Stuart's cavalry conducted a raid on Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (October 10–12), disrupting Union supply lines in Pennsylvania, followed by a raid on Unison, Virginia (October 31–November 2).^[24]

The Gettysburg campaign in June–July 1863, was Confederate General Robert E. Lee's second invasion of the North. The campaign opened with the Battle of Franklin's Crossing on June 5, where Union forces probed Confederate defenses near Fredericksburg, Virginia. As Lee's army advanced, Union cavalry clashed with Confederate horsemen at the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, the largest cavalry engagement of the war, ending in a tactical draw but boosting Union cavalry confidence. Lee’s forces then swept into the Shenandoah Valley, securing a decisive victory at the Second Battle of Winchester (June 13–15), capturing the town of Winchester, Virginia, and thousands of Union troops. As Confederate forces crossed into Pennsylvania, cavalry skirmishes erupted at Aldie, Virginia on June 17, at Middleburg, Virginia on June 19, and at Upperville on June 21, delaying Confederate advances and providing critical intelligence to Union General Joseph Hooker. Meanwhile, Confederate cavalry under Major General J. E. B. Stuart fought at Fairfax Court House on June 27 and at Corbit's Charge on June 29, where outnumbered Union troopers delayed the Confederate advance near Westminster, Maryland.^{[citation needed]}

As Lee's forces approached key Northern cities, they skirmished with Union militia at Hanover, Pennsylvania on June 30, at Sporting Hill on June 30, and at Carlisle, Pennsylvania on July 1, burning parts of Carlisle in retaliation for Union resistance. The campaign reached its turning point at the Battle of Gettysburg between July 1–3, where Lee's army suffered a crushing defeat after three days of intense fighting, culminating in Pickett's Charge. Lee retreated back to Virginia under heavy Union pursuit. The retreat from Gettysburg was marked by fierce rear-guard actions. Confederate forces defended key mountain passes at Fairfield, Pennsylvania on July 3, at Monterey Pass on July 4–5, and at Williamsport, Maryland (July 6–14), holding off Union forces while securing river crossings at the Potomac. Additional clashes at Boonsboro, Maryland on July 8, at Funkstown, Maryland on July 10, and at Manassas Gap in Virginia on July 23 ensured Lee’s escape.^[25]

Morgan's Raid (June–July 1863) was a Confederate cavalry operation led by General John Hunt Morgan, aimed at disrupting Union supply lines and spreading panic in the North. Starting in Tennessee, Morgan's force moved into Kentucky, clashing with Union troops at the Battle of Tebbs Bend on July 4, where they were repulsed but continued advancing. At the Battle of Lebanon, Kentucky on July 5, Morgan captured the town after fierce resistance but suffered heavy casualties, including the death of his brother. Crossing into Indiana, Morgan's men overwhelmed local militia at the Battle of Corydon on July 9, marking the only Civil War battle fought in Indiana. Pushing into Ohio, Morgan's exhausted force was intercepted at the Battle of Buffington Island on July 19, where Union troops under General Edward H. Hobson and gunboats dealt a crushing defeat, capturing hundreds of Confederates. Morgan and a small group managed to escape but were finally surrounded at the Battle of Salineville on July 26, where he and his remaining men were captured.^[26][27]

The Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, 1863) was a major Confederate victory in northern Georgia, which ended the Chickamauga campaign, a Union invasion of Georgia. After Union General William Rosecrans forced Confederate General Braxton Bragg from the city of Chickamauga, Georgia, Bragg, reinforced by General James Longstreet, counterattacked near Chickamauga Creek. A Union miscommunication on September 20 created a gap in their line, allowing Longstreet to rout much of the Union army. Despite the collapse, Union General George Henry Thomas held Snodgrass Hill, enabling a Union retreat to Chattanooga, Tennessee and earning the nickname "Rock of Chickamauga."^[28]

Price's Missouri Expedition (September–October 1864) was a Confederate military campaign led by Major General Sterling Price, aiming to reclaim Missouri for the Confederacy, disrupt Union supply lines, and influence the 1864 U.S. presidential election. The campaign began with the Battle of Fort Davidson on September 27, where Price’s forces won a costly victory but failed to destroy the fort’s Union garrison, forcing him to continue his raid deeper into Missouri. Price advanced northward, capturing the town of Glasgow, Missouri on October 15 after a day of fighting, seizing much-needed supplies. He then moved west, engaging Union forces at Sedalia, Missouri and winning a minor skirmish. At the second battle of Lexington, Missouri on October 19, Price’s army overwhelmed the Union garrison under the command of General James G. Blunt, opening the path toward Kansas City, Missouri. However, Price's advance was briefly halted at the Battle of Little Blue River on October 21, where Union forces mounted a strong resistance before retreating to fortified positions at Independence. The Second Battle of Independence on October 22 saw Price's forces take the town but at significant cost. Union forces launched a counteroffensive at Byram’s Ford between October 22–23, forcing Price into a full-scale confrontation at the Battle of Westport on October 23, located in modern-day Kansas City. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, Price's army suffered a decisive defeat, forcing a retreat southward. His retreat turned into a desperate running battle, with clashes at Marais des Cygnes and at Mine Creek on October 25, where Union cavalry captured hundreds of Confederate soldiers, including two Confederate generals. Price’s battered army made a final stand at the battle of Marmiton River later in the day on October 25, but Union forces inflicted further losses. The expedition ended after the Second Battle of Newtonia on October 28, where Price's rear guard briefly held off pursuing Union troops before retreating into Arkansas.^[29]

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln occurred on April 14, 1865, just days after the Civil War’s end. John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, shot United States President Abraham Lincoln in the back of the head while he attended Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Booth fled the scene, shouting “Sic semper tyrannis” and escaping despite breaking his leg. The assassination was part of a broader conspiracy targeting top U.S. officials. Secretary of State William H. Seward was severely wounded in an attack, while Vice President Andrew Johnson's would-be assassin failed. Lincoln died the following morning, plunging the nation into mourning. Booth was killed 12 days later, and the surviving conspirators were captured, tried, and executed.^{[citation needed]}

The United States expedition to Korea in 1871, known as the Shinmiyangyo in Korea, aimed to secure trade, diplomatic ties, and protect shipwrecked sailors after the General Sherman incident. The American expedition consisted of about 650 men, more than 500 sailors and 100 Marines, as well as five warships:^[30] Colorado, Alaska, Palos, Monocacy, and Benicia. Embarked aboard Colorado was Rear Admiral John Rodgers, and Frederick F. Low, the United States Ambassador to China. On June 1, Korean forces fired at the U.S. fleet as it sailed up the Ganghwa Straits near Ganghwa Island. Following being fired upon, Rear Admiral John Rodgers launched a military assault against the Korean forces. In the Battle of Ganghwa between June 10–11, U.S. Marines and sailors captured key Korean forts, including Fort Seonghwan, despite fierce resistance led by General Eo Jae-yeon. The Americans secured a military victory but failed to achieve diplomatic concessions as Korea maintained its isolationist stance. This changed with the Joseon–United States Treaty of 1882, Korea’s first treaty with a Western power. It established trade relations, recognized Korean sovereignty, and ensured mutual protection for shipwrecked sailors.^[31]

The Sinking of the USS Maine on February 15, 1898, was a key event that preluded the Spanish–American War. The USS Maine, a United States Navy battleship, had been sent to Havana Harbor, Cuba, to protect American interests during a period of intense unrest as Cuban rebels fought for independence from the Spanish Empire. While anchored in the harbor, a massive explosion tore through the ship, killing 261 of its 355 crew members. The cause of the explosion was unclear at the time, but sensationalist U.S. newspapers, led by William Randolph Hearst’s New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World, blamed Spain for the destruction of the USS Maine, fueling public outrage. The rallying cry "Remember the Maine! To Hell with Spain!" swept across the United States, pressuring the American government to take action. Although a naval investigation initially concluded that a mine caused the explosion, later investigations suggested that an internal fire in a coal bunker may have triggered the blast.^[32]

The First Battle of Agua Prieta was fought on August 13–14, 1911, between the supporters of Francisco Madero and federal troops of Porfirio Díaz during the Mexican Revolution at the Mexico–United States border town of Agua Prieta, Mexico. During the course of the battle, U.S. troops stationed in the Douglas, Arizona right across border were fired upon by federal troops under Díaz.^[33] As a result of being attacked, the Americans responded by intervening in the battle, which allowed the rebels to briefly take control of the town.^[34][35] One American was killed and 13 other Americans were injured during the battle's spill-over into Douglas.^[36]

The Battle of Masaya on September 19, 1912, was an engagement during the first U.S. occupation of Nicaragua, fought between U.S. Marines and sailors, led by General Smedley Butler and Nicaraguan rebels, led by Benjamín Zeledón. The United States government sent an expedition of 400 U.S. Marines and sailors, plus "a pair of Colts and 3-inch guns, to seize the city of Granada, Nicaragua from rebel forced. Traveling by train, Butler's forces reached the outskirts of Masaya, where they were threatened by rebels atop the hills of Coyotepe and Barranca. The Americans negotiated with Zeledón for safe passage past the two imposing hills. On September 19, the Americans continued their journey into the city of Masaya, with Butler, "legs dangling," sitting at the front of the train on a flatcar placed in front of the engine. The train had nearly gotten through the town, when, at Nindiri Station, the Americans were confronted by two mounted Nicaraguans. These two men, possibly drunk, opened fire with pistols, striking Corporal J. J. Bourne, who was next to Butler, in the finger. Butler had the train stopped, so a corpsman could be summoned to aid Bourne. Before long, snipers in the houses on both sides of the railroad track and 150 "armed horsemen" began shooting at the American forces. The American forces then returned fire. The most intense period of fighting lasted five minutes, "then [the firing] gradually died out." During the battle, six Americans were wounded and three others were captured by the rebels.^[37][38]

On April 29, 1915, the SS Cushing, a American commercial steamship belonging to Standard Oil, was attacked by naval aviators of the German Empire.^[39][40]

The sinking of the SS Gulflight occurred on May 1, 1915, during World War I. The Gulflight, an American oil tanker owned by the Gulf Refining Company, left Port Arthur, Texas on April 10 carrying a cargo of gasoline in the ship's tanks and barrels of lubricating oil to Rouen, France.^[41][42] At a point 22 nautical miles (41 km) west of the Bishop Rock lighthouse, Isles of Scilly, at 11 a.m. on 1 May, Gulflight was challenged by two British patrol vessels, HMS Iago and HMS Filey, which queried her destination. The patrol ships had been searching for a submarine which had been sinking ships in the area over the last couple of days. The patrol vessels were not satisfied with Gulflight's papers and suspected her of refuelling the U-boat, so ordered the tanker to accompany them into port.^[43] The patrol ships took up station one on either side of Gulflight, Iago close on the starboard side and Filey further ahead on the port. At 12:50 p.m., on May 1, 1915, while off the Isles of Scilly in the North Atlantic, the German U-boat U-30 fired a torpedo at the Gulflight, which was flying an American flag. The torpedo struck Gulflight, causing it to sink. The crew abandoned ship, and were taken on board by the patrol ship Iago which turned towards St Mary's island. While abandoning the ship, two crew members died while jumping into the water. At about 2:30 a.m., Captain Gunter from Gulflight was taken ill and died around 3:40 a.m. from a heart attack.^[44]

The sinking of the RMS Lusitania occurred on May 7, 1915, during World War I, when the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-20 off the southern coast of Ireland near the Old Head of Kinsale. The Lusitania, operated by the Cunard Line, was on a transatlantic voyage from New York City to Liverpool, carrying 1,959 passengers and crew, including men, women, and children from various countries. The ship was struck by a single torpedo on its starboard side, causing a secondary explosion believed to be from munitions stored in the cargo hold. This devastating blast caused the Lusitania to sink in just 18 minutes, plunging the majority of the vessel beneath the waves before many lifeboats could be launched. Of the 1,959 people on board, 1,198 died, including 128 Americans.

The German Empire had declared the waters around the British Isles a war zone and issued warnings that ships sailing through the area could be attacked. Despite these warnings, the Lusitania continued its route, relying on its speed and the belief that passenger liners would not be targeted. The incident caused a global outcry, particularly in Britain and the United States, where public opinion turned sharply against Germany. The sinking became a powerful propaganda tool for the Allies, portraying the Germans as ruthless aggressors. Although the U.S. did not immediately enter the war, the loss of American lives strained diplomatic relations and intensified calls for action. The sinking of the RMS Lusitania remains one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in history and is often cited as a key event that ultimately led the United States to declare war on Germany in April 1917, marking a turning point in World War I. The ship's sinking continues to be a subject of historical investigation, with debates about whether it was a legitimate military target due to its cargo of munitions and whether the British government used the incident to draw the United States into the war.^[46][47][48]

On July 30, 1916, during World War I, a series of explosions destroyed over two million pounds of munitions at a depot on Black Tom Island in Jersey City, New Jersey. The attack, carried out by agents of the German Empire, targeted ammunition shipments to Allied forces in Europe. The explosion injured hundreds, killed between four and seven people, and caused an estimated $20 million in damages (equivalent to over $500 million today). The incident marked one of the largest acts of sabotage on U.S. soil.^[49]

Main articles: 9 January 1917 German Crown Council meeting, Sinking of the SS Housatonic, Sinking of the SS Vigilancia, Sinking of the SS Healdton, Sinking of the SS Aztec, and American entry into World War I

On January 9, 1917, the German Crown Council had a meeting, presided over by German Emperor Wilhelm II, which decided on the resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Imperial German Navy during World War I. Immediately following the announcement of unrestricted submarine warfare, which was made public on January 31, the United States public opinion was immediately in favor of joining the war against the German Empire. On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked a special joint session of the United States Congress for a declaration of war against the German Empire. Congress responded with the declaration on April 6. Between January 9–April 6, 1917, the German Empire sank ten American merchant ships.^{[citation needed]}

On February 25, 1918, while traveling in convoy HH42, the SS Santa Maria, a tanker owned by Sun Co., Inc. was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-19 while off the coast of Lough Swilly, County Donegal, United Kingdom. The crew successfully abandoned ship and survived the attack.^[50]

On June 2, 1918, the 380-foot-long (120 m) passenger liner SS Carolina was sunk by the German submarine U-151 while traveling from San Juan to New York. The sinking ultimately resulted in 13 deaths when a motor dory carrying survivors capsized— representing the first civilian casualties of U-boat activity on the US Atlantic seaboard. The attack represented one of six U.S. vessels that sunk on June 2, resulting in the day being deemed "Black Sunday".^[51][52]

On July 21, 1918, German submarine U-156 fired on a tugboat convoy 3 miles (5 km) off the coast of Orleans, Massachusetts. During the hour-long battle, the submarine damaged the tugboat Perth Amboy and sank several barges towed by it, while American Curtiss HS seaplanes unsuccessfully attempted to bomb the U-boat. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued all 32 sailors, and there were no casualties. The submarine escaped after firing 147 shells.^[53][54][55]

Some shells landed on Nauset Beach, making Orleans the only place in the contiguous United States to receive enemy fire during World War I. It was also the first time that the United States was shelled by artillery of an external power since the Siege of Fort Texas in 1846.^[56]

The Battle of Columbus took place on March 9, 1916, when Mexican revolutionary leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa led an early-morning raid against the small U.S. border town of Columbus, New Mexico. Villa’s forces, numbering 484, hoped to secure supplies and strike at American soldiers stationed nearby. However, the U.S. 13th Cavalry Regiment quickly rallied and drove the attackers back, inflicting heavy casualties. Although the raid was brief, it had far-reaching consequences, prompting American President Woodrow Wilson to launch the Punitive Expedition into Mexico under General John J. Pershing in a largely unsuccessful effort to capture Villa and stabilize the border region. During the battle, "Pancho" Villa captured and executed 19 American soldiers and another 38 died from wounds during the battle.^[57][58]

An angry mob led by members of the Muslim clergy and including many members of the Iranian Army beat Consul Robert W. Imbrie to death. The mob blamed the United States for poisoning a well.^[59]

^[60]

At 12:00 AM local time on January 27, 1958, a bomb went off at a warehouse inside the U.S. Embassy compound. A second bomb went off destroyed the nearby American Publication Stores private bookshop. The United States released later that day it was believed both bombs were thrown from cars passing the Embassy compound. The Associated Press and The New York Times jointly published that the bombing was attempting to tarnish America's prestige before the opening of the Baghdad Pact Conference later that day.^[61][62]

^[63][64][65]

^[66]

Two weeks after a failed coup which the U.S. was mistakenly blamed for, on March 5, 1964, a small bomb detonated outside the embassy compound, damaging a sign and cracking windows. Three days later on March 8, a second bombing on the embassy in Gabon occurred. The embassy was also fired on with a shotgun, causing minor damage.^{[citation needed]}

Date(s)	Location	Type of attack	Details	U.S. Deaths
March 4, 1965	Moscow, Soviet Union	Mob attack	Protests in front of the embassy related to the Vietnam War turned into rioting, approximately 2000 students had to be cleared away by the Red Army.[67]	0
March 30, 1965	Saigon, South Vietnam	Bombing	Main article: 1965 Saigon bombing	2
January 31, 1968	Saigon, South Vietnam	Military offensive	Main article: Tet offensive attack on US Embassy	5
September 26, 1971	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Attack	Attack on embassy softball game.[citation needed]	2
1972	Manila, Philippines	Attack	Attack by communist group, Marine guard wounded.[68]	0

Riot outside embassy; ambassador Rodger Davies and assistant shot by sniper on August 19, 1974.

Date(s)	Location	Type of attack	Details	U.S. Deaths
November 14, 1974	Tokyo, Japan	Attack	Several Japanese youth attacked the embassy with Molotov cocktails, throwing them from a nearby hotel. Afterwards, five stormed the compound where they were arrested. Seven local guards were injured.[citation needed]	0
November 22, 1974	Fukuoka, Japan	Attack	Three men wearing red helmets from the Marxist Youth League broke windows and threw an explosive device at the Consulate. The men then attacked and injured a consulate employee.[citation needed]	0

Japanese Red Army gunmen stormed the AIA building, containing both the US and Swedish embassies, and took 53 hostages.^{[citation needed]}

On February 17, 1976, gunmen in a car fire at the embassy causing minimal damage.

During the aftermath of the Iranian revolution, 53 American citizens and diplomats were held hostage by a group of armed Iranian college students who took over the United States' Embassy in Tehran. This led to the termination of Iran–United States relations and sanctions until the hostages were released in January 1981.^{[citation needed]}

During the rise of Wahhabism in Pakistan,^[69] a large mob of Pakistani citizens violently stormed the Embassy of the United States in Islamabad and subsequently burned it down in a coordinated attack on 21 November 1985.^{[citation needed]}

Protesters burned down the U.S. embassy on 2 December 1979, after allegations rose up of the United States being involved in the Grand Mosque seizure in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This led to the US withdrawing all remaining U.S. government personnel in Libya.^{[citation needed]}

United States involvement in the Lebanese Civil War (April 1983–September 1984)

The April 18, 1983, United States Embassy bombing was a suicide bombing on the Embassy of the United States in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 32 Lebanese, 17 Americans, and 14 visitors and passers-by. The victims were mostly embassy and CIA staff members, but also included several US soldiers and one U.S. Marine Security Guard. The attack came in the wake of an intervention in the Lebanese Civil War by the United States and other Western countries and were carried out by Hezbollah, but Hezbollah denied responsibility. It was the deadliest attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission up to that time, and was considered the beginning of Islamist attacks on U.S. targets.^{[citation needed]}

On November 7, 1983, a bomb exploded in the Capitol's north wing near the Senate chamber in Washington, D.C. The blast caused significant damage to the area but resulted in no casualties, as the building was empty at the time. The bombing was later claimed by the "Armed Resistance Unit," a militant group opposed to U.S. military involvement in Grenada and Lebanon.^[70]

The attackers placed the device as a political statement, citing opposition to U.S. foreign policy. In 1988, six members of the radical group were arrested and convicted for their involvement in the bombing and other related activities.^[70]

In 1984, 751 people suffered food poisoning in The Dalles, Oregon, United States, due to the deliberate contamination of salad bars at ten local restaurants with Salmonella. A group of prominent followers of Rajneesh (later known as Osho) led by Ma Anand Sheela had hoped to incapacitate the voting population of the city so that their own candidates would win the 1984 Wasco County elections. The incident was the first and is still the single largest bioterrorist attack in U.S. history.^{[citation needed]}

On November 26, 1984, a car bomb planted by drug cartel exploded outside of the American embassy in Bogotá, killing one and reportedly injuring five others.^[71]

On February 19, 1986, the Popular Forces of 25 April a bomb exploded in a diplomat‘s car outside the American embassy in Lisbon. The bomb was discovered by Portuguese guards and no fatalies were reported.^[72][73]

On May 14, 1986, Japanese Red Army members attempt a mortar attack; their mortar shells fail to detonate^[74]

On June 9, 1987, Car bomb set off, two rocket-propelled grenades fired at embassy.^[75]

On September 17, 1989, a homemade rocket was fired at embassy by unknown assailant, no damage reported.^[76]

On February 26, 1993, a terrorist bombing targeted the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. A 1,200-pound (540 kg) truck bomb was detonated in the underground parking garage, causing a massive explosion that killed six people and injured over 1,000. The blast created a 100-foot (30 m) crater, severely damaging multiple floors but failing to topple the towers, which was the attackers’ intended goal.^[77]

The attack was carried out by a group of Islamist extremists, including Ramzi Yousef, who orchestrated the plot, and several accomplices. They aimed to protest U.S. foreign policies in the Middle East. Authorities apprehended and convicted six individuals in connection with the bombing, including Yousef, who was later sentenced to life in prison.^{[citation needed]}

On July 27, 1993, a car bomb planted by Shining Path, significant damage to embassy building.^[78]

A domestic terrorist truck bombing on April 19, 1995, targeting the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Orchestrated by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, the attack killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured over 680 others, marking it as the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history at the time.^[79][80] Motivated by anti-government sentiment, McVeigh used a truck loaded with explosives. Both perpetrators were arrested, tried, and convicted; McVeigh was executed in 2001.^[81]

On September 13, 1995, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fired on embassy by unknown assailant.^[82]

On June 21, 1998, RPGs fired at embassy by Hezbollah.^[83]

On September 19, 1998, Liberian security forces opened fire on a warlord speaking with U.S. officials at the embassy gate and subsequently laid siege to the building, killing or wounding more than 10 people. An embassy staff member and a government contractor were among the wounded.

Category:United States military history timelines Category:United States history timelines