The answer to this question depends on which portion of the Great Wall is being referred to. The Great Wall of China is actually a series of walls built over many dynasties that spanned thousands of years.

After uniting the warring kingdoms in China in 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang decreed that the existing sections of several walls that were built from the 8th century to the 3rd century BC by these warring kingdoms be extended and expanded to protect against the northern Xiangnu empire located in present-day Mongolia. This structure, which became the first contiguous portion of the Great Wall, was finished in nine years during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang from 221 to 206 BC. Further west, another portion parallel to the first wall was built during the Han Dynasty from 206 BC to 220 AC. Succeeding dynasties built the other portions to fend off the Mongols in 1368 and Manchu invaders in 1644.

The Great Wall of China stretches for 6,400 kilometers from as far north as modern day Russia to as far east to what is now Pyongyang in North Korea up to the Xinjiang province in modern day China. The Chinese name of this magnificent structure, which can be translated to “Infinitely Long Wall,” has also been often referred to as “The Long Graveyard” because of the number of people who perished building it. Myth has it that as many as several millions of people are buried underneath the walls. While interesting, this myth was later proven false by subsequent research.

Archers were the primary defense of the Great Wall of China. But because of its sheer size, it was physically and economically impossible to keep the Great Wall of China perpetually manned, so sentries were placed along strategic portions of the wall to warn against impending invaders. In case of attack, watchtowers located at intervals provided safe shelter for sentries and some soldiers while battlements with wide slits on the inside and narrow slits on the outside allow archers a wide angle shot.

To be sure, this huge structure could not repel a determined enemy and prevent him from marching into China as history has shown that invaders have broken through vulnerable portions of the wall such as the gates. Despite its weakneses, the Great Wall has at least served its purpose by slowing down the invaders and provided ample warning that bought the Chinese Empire some precious time to prepare for war.

The British conquest of Ireland from 1649-53 was an event that played a role in shaping the futures of the two nations. An understanding of its background is essential to knowing the situation that led to the conflict.

The Ormond Peace Accord

In 1649, the Irish Confederates forged an alliance with the English Royalists. This group had been involved in a war against the English Parliament. The Ulster Scots also joined forces with the Catholic Irish Confederates against the Protestant British. The Royalists and the Irish Confederates devised a plan to attack England and assume power.

The Battle of Rathmines

The English Parliament would respond by sending Oliver Cromwell to attack. This would prove significant in the British conquest of Ireland. The battle took place in Rathmines near Dublin. On August 2, the British launched a sudden attack that caught the Royalists by surprise.

They were still in the process of preparing their troops when the British attacked. According to some accounts, thousands of Royalist and Irish Confederates were killed. Scores were also taken prisoners. This victory allowed the English to march into Dublin in 1649 with little opposition.

The Invasion of Drogheda and Wexford

Following their victory at Rathmines, Cromwell led his men to Drogheda. Some accounts state that over 3,000 English soldiers came. Scores of civilians and Catholic clergy were killed. During this period in the British conquest of Ireland, civilians were also slaughtered.

At the town of Wexford, Cromwell and his men attacked in force. Over 2,000 Irish / Royalist soldiers were killed. The entire town was burned to the ground and over 1,400 civilians were massacred. Other towns were sacked. Other villages surrendered.

Battle of Leinster

In 1650, Cromwell and his men stormed Leinster. They were able to capture its capital Kilkenny but lost over 2,000 men. He also suffered extensive losses in capturing Clonmel.

The Settlement

After the conquest, the Parliament set about confiscating the properties of the Catholic civilians. The Royalist and Irish Confederate soldiers were imprisoned or banished to foreign lands.

The Catholic religion was forbidden and their books and ritual equipment burned. Rewards were given to those who would pinpoint the location of Catholic priests. Upon capture, they were summarily executed. These policies that took effect after the British conquest of Ireland were in part retaliation for earlier massacres committed by the Catholics.

Effects

The results of the brutal war were feelings of animosity by the Irish towards the British and vice versa. In the succeeding centuries, there would be conflicts among the two countries. Even after the monarchies had been replaced on both sides, the struggles continued.

A study of the two nations’ succeeding conflicts can be traced back to this event. Some of the more destructive conflicts like the war in 1689 had their roots in the conquest by Cromwell.

The British conquest of Ireland was an important event that altered the landscape of both countries in many ways. It led to several policy changes that would eventually have an impact not just on the UK but also in most of Europe.

Known as the official residence of the U.S. President, the White House is exactly situated at 1600 Pennsylvania NW in Washington, D.C. The late President George Washington proposed the construction of the house and he chose the place where the mansion was built. Architect James Hoban made a floor plan for the house an it was approved by by the Congress in 1792. To know the date or even the year the White House was built, it is essential to look at some details that are significant to the history as well as the construction of this place.

Construction of the White House

When was the White House built? The construction of the mansion started on the 13th day of October 1792 through the leadership of President John Adams. Even if the construction of the house was not yet finished, John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams already stayed in the place. The construction of the White House continued for almost a decade. The executive residence was built in 1800 and the expansion of the building was finished in 1801 under the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. The Army of Great Britain burned some of the parts of the house in 1814. The reconstruction took place immediately and it was finished in 1948.

On the 4th day of July, 1776 America, specifically the Thirteen Colonies, formally declared its independence from Great Britain. For more than a year before this, Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies had been waging war against each other. In summary, here are events leading to when did America gain independence.

Tax Disputes

US independence from Great Britian all started during a tax dispute between the Colonies and the British Parliament. The Colonies were grossly misrepresented in Parliament. Hence, the colonists felt that Parliament had no right to impose taxes on them. This was especially so when it was making a new round of tax increase. The tax increase was due to the economic crisis in Great Britain then. This triggered the American revolution, starting the series of developments leading to when did America gain independence.

Parliament Tax Revenue Acts

To save the indebted economy of Great Britain, Parliament policies or Acts. Examples are the 1765 Stamp Act and the 1767 Townshend Acts. These gave rights to the Parliament to levy increased taxes on Americans to keep British presence in the Colonies. Unreasonable tax increases often trigger social unrest. This brought about the first social upheavals leading to the US independence from Great Britain. Some history experts trace back the time of when did America gain independence here.

Irreconcilable Differences on the British Constitution

Add to the tax crisis the divergent opinions on the British Constitution. The differing views on the Constitution had long been going on. The tax issue served as fuel to the fire. Soon, the heated debates led to war and to the formal declaration of US independence from Great Britain, written by Thomas Jefferson. This hatched the exact day of when did America gain independence.

The Boston Tea Party

In 1774, the Parliament wanted to punish the whole province of Massachusetts for the alleged provocative Boston Tea Party. So it passed the bill on Coercive Acts. The Colonists saw this as a breach of the British Constitution and of civil liberties. This led to the First Continental Congress in 1774, making the move for US independence from Great Britain more pronounced.

Thomas Paine Wrote His Piece

In the first month of 1776, Thomas Paine wrote his famous “Common Sense.” It was an argument for American independence. It also promoted republicanism as against hereditary and monarchial rule. In February of the same year, American ports were forcibly closed. American vessels were tagged as enemy ships by Parliament. The move for independence became stronger, especially with the participation of John Adams.

When did America Gain Independence?

On July 2, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence. Finally, on July 4, 1776, the Thirteen Colonies officially decided and declared they were no longer part of Great Britain. The declaration was approved and released by Congress.

Knowing when did the Vietnam War start is very important to enhance our understanding on world history. It is considered as one of the most popular wars of all times because many countries aside from North Vietnam and South Vietnam fought against each other at this war. The war started due to the interest of North Vietnam to have control over South Vietnam, Cambodia as well as Laos. Because of conflicting interests, many countries supported the resistance of South Vietnam such as the United States as well as some of the members of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. The war resulted to the communist’s control over the Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam.

When Did the Vietnam War Start?

Vietnam War started in March 1959 and lasted for almost 26 years. The North Vietnamese Army used conventional military tactics and strategies in the war while the South Vietnamese Army and the U.S. Army implement air strikes as well as search and destroy operations. Even if a peace treaty was introduced in January 1972, the war continued until April 30, 1975. Death toll was above 5 million overall: 3 million Vietnamese, 2 million Cambodians and Laotians as well as 58, 159 members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Other Relevant Information About the Vietnam War

Ho Chi Minh, the famous Viet Minh leader, announced the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on the second day of September 1945. This declaration caused opposition from various nations, which agreed that France has control over Vietnam. Some nations that opposed the announcement are the Soviet Union, Great Britain and the United States. Due to this, the countries started military forces in Vietnam. The Viet Minh leader tried to communicate and establish a treaty with France but the French forces was sent to Hanoi and ousted the group of Ho Chi Minh in the area in March 1946.

After several years, the People’s Republic of China supported the leadership and control of Ho Chi Minh over the Democratic Republic Vietnam. Since the control of Viet Minh was established in January 1950, talks between the United States and France were held about the possible introduction of tactical nuclear weapons by Ho Chi Minh. The opposition of the United States to the leadership of Viet Minh was strengthened and felt when the administration of U.S. President John F. Kennedy launched U.S. and South Vietnamese military operations in the rural areas and ancestral villages in North Vietnam in the 1960s.

The American Revolutionary War, which is also known as the American War for Independence, started because of heavy taxation imposed by Great Britain on its thirteen colonies in the North American continent.

To a large extent, the American Revolutionary War was an offshoot of the French and Indian Wars that France and Great Britain fought from 1689 to 1763 on the North American continent, which was largely part of their worldwide campaign to enlarge their empire and linked as well to wars of the European coalitions. To finance its wars and maintain the defenses of its empire, the British government began to make its settlers in North America pay more taxes. What particularly aroused the resentment and anger of the settlers is that they were not allowed any representation in the British Parliament and, thus, could not voice their opinion or objection about these taxes.

Convinced that taxation without representation is an unjust and wrongful imposition on the colonies by a government located thousands of miles away, the settlers decided to boycott all products coming from Great Britain such as clothes, lead, glass, paper and tea. Henceforth, they took great pride in spinning and weaving their own clothing and took to drinking coffee as their patriotic substitute to English tea.

To emphasize their protest, a group of settlers–some disguised as Native Americans, surreptitiously boarded a British vessel docked at the Boston Harbor in Massachusetts and dumped its cargo of tea into the waters in a protest action known as the “Boston Tea Party.” This is one of the culminating events of the resistance in the colonies against British taxation. The British government retaliated by closing the Boston Port to trade until the citizens paid for the destroyed tea. However, this only served to gain for Massachussetts the sympathy of the other colonies. In September of 1774, representatives from all the colonies, except for Georgia, met in Philadelphia as the First Continental Congress.

While the Congress did not seek independence from Great Britain, it defined the rights of the settlers, placed limits on the power of the British government on the colonies and agreed on tactics on how to deal with unjust and coercive measures imposed by Britain on the colonies. More importantly, it declared that the right to taxation on the setters of the colonies rests solely on their duly elected representatives in the colonial assemblies and not on the British Parliament thousands of miles away which they believed wields only the power to regulate trade.

The following year, in 1775, the first shots were fired in Massachussetts. The American War for Independence had started.

The date when the Berlin Wall fell was November 9th in 1989. But to gain insights as to what led to it, understanding why it was erected is needed.

The Beginning of the Cold War

By the end of World War II, Russia was controlling Germany’s eastern side. The Allies led by the United States assumed power in the western front. There quickly developed a rivalry between the West and the Soviet Union.

This deepened in the 1950s and 60s. Both sides tried to extend their influence in world affairs and events. In response to the growing divide, the Soviets created the walled structure. Before the time when the Berlin Wall fell, the structure symbolized the Cold War itself.

Perestroika and Glasnost

Ironically it was also the Soviet Union that would bring about the wall’s destruction. The winds of change began blowing in 1985. It was the year Mikhail Gorbachev came to power. The policies of Gorbachev would have a dramatic impact in East Germany.

The first of these radical policies was perestroika. What this meant was a realigning of the economic structure that resulted in greater freedom for the people. The other policy shift was glasnost, which allowed for a free press. Consequently it led to the breakup of the USSR.

Effect on East German Politics and Policies

Although it was in November when the Berlin Wall fell, there were clear signs months earlier it would happen. Glasnost paved the way for anti administration rallies in East Germany in early 1989. This would lead to the departure of Erich Honecker as head of the German Democratic Republic Party in October. This was followed by the resignation of the entire cabinet.

A New Beginning

A new Prime Minister was elected, Hans Modrow. In an attempt to bring forth stability, he issued new directives with greater economic freedom for the people. They were also allowed to journey to West Germany for the first time. Even though the state was still technically under Communist rule, it was announced that the structure would be opened for public utilization.

The official date when the Berlin Wall fell was November 9. Thousands of people came with hammers and began taking down pieces of it. The following day, the Brandenburg Gate was opened. Initially there were checkpoints established. Primarily it was to assist those crossing over to the West, but it was soon discarded as well.

On March 18, 1990 elections were conducted in East Germany. It was the first one in over six decades. The wall continued to be taken down and by July 1990 was completely destroyed. The end result was an exodus of people from the East to the West. On October 3, 1990 Germany became a single country once again.

The resulting union was not without problems. The economic situation in the East was difficult and its problems were inherited by the West. But following the union, the entire country began working together. When the Berlin Wall fell, it marked the rebirth of what would become one of the economic powerhouses in Europe.

The date of the end of World War 2 was September 1945 with Japan’s surrender. But the events that led to it began in late 1942.

The Battle of Midway

The turning point in the Pacific came on June 1942. The Japanese attacked the island of Midway which is northeast of Hawaii. Initially the Japanese held the edge against the Americans when 35 of 41 US planes were taken down. But the American attack forced the Japanese to fly low. When they did, American bombers retaliated. By the battle’s end four large Japanese vessels had sunk. Momentum swung over to America.

The Americans launched a counterattack. It would take them all the way to Guadalcanal. The Japanese would be in retreat until the end of World War 2.

Stalingrad

In Europe the tide turned in the summer of 1942. The Germans continued to press in Russia specifically towards Stalingrad. In a few weeks, over 40,000 civilians were killed. But the German 6th Army ran short of supplies. Hitler refused to order a withdrawal. The end results were the deaths of over 260,000 German soldiers. The Soviets would counterattack and the 6th Army surrendered in 1943. The Soviets began driving the Germans back out.

The Invasion of Italy

Following the British Army’s triumph in El Alamein, the Germans and Italians retreated to Egypt. Over 200,000 British and US reinforcements came. The Axis troops surrendered. This paved the way for the Allies’ invasion of Italy. This would prove pivotal to the end of World War 2. In July of 1943, the Allies managed to enter Sicily. In the same month Mussolini was overthrown.

D Day

The series of Axis defeats allowed the Allies to plan an invasion of Nazi occupied France. It took place on June 1944. With aircraft supporting the ground troops, the Allies stormed in. By August Paris had been freed from the Nazis.

Germany’s Surrender

The defeat of France led to the bombing and invasion of Germany itself. By early 1945 the US and British were advancing from the west. The Russians were coming from the east. On April 30, Adolf Hitler killed himself. On May 7 Germany surrendered and that was the end of World War 2 in Europe.

The Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

While the war in Europe ended, the Japanese continued to fight. By 1944 onwards, US planes rained bombs in Tokyo every day. But the Japanese fought hard. In Iwo Jima, the Americans lost 5,000 men to gain 700 yards.

After taking Okinawa, the US decided against invading Japan itself. On August 6, 1945 an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. 80,000 died on the spot. 10,000 were evaporated completely. For 4 miles, everything was flattened. The next day another atomic bomb was dropped in Nagasaki. Thousands of people also died. The Japanese finally surrendered.

By the end of World War 2 over 50 million lost their lives. More importantly it ushered in the Atomic and eventually Nuclear Age. The means to destroy humanity has thus become the war’s most resonating legacy.