On This Day
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Battle of Aspern-Essling: Austrian Archduke Charles beats Napoleon and his army. Napoleon's first defeat in 10 years.

Archduke Charles Louis John Joseph Lawrence of Austria, Duke of Teschen (German: Erzherzog Karl Ludwig Johann Josef Lorenz von Österreich, Herzog von Teschen; 5 September 1771 – 30 April 1847) was an...

Archduke Charles Louis John Joseph Lawrence of Austria, Duke of Teschen (German: Erzherzog Karl Ludwig Johann Josef Lorenz von Österreich, Herzog von Teschen; 5 September 1771 – 30 April 1847) was an Austrian field marshal, the third son of Emperor Leopold II and Maria Luisa of Spain. He was also the younger brother of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor. He was epileptic, but achieved respect both as a commander and as a reformer of the Austrian Army. He was considered one of Napoleon's most formidable opponents and one of the greatest generals of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Charles wrote several military works as well.

He began his career fighting the revolutionary armies of France.

Historical Significance

Archduke Charles Louis John Joseph Lawrence of Austria, Duke of Teschen (German: Erzherzog Karl Ludwig Johann Josef Lorenz von Österreich, Herzog von Teschen; 5 September 1771 – 30 April 1847) was an Austrian field marshal, the third son of Emperor Leopold II and Maria Luisa of Spain.

Key People

Napoleon Bonaparte

general and statesman

French general and statesman

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Events Before

  1. African Benevolent Society (education) forms

    African Benevolent Society (education) forms

  2. Explorer William Clark (37) weds Julia Hancock in Fincastle, Virginia

    Explorer William Clark (37) weds Julia Hancock in Fincastle, Virginia

  3. Day depicted by Spanish painter Francisco Goya in his "The Third of May," which he paints in 1814

    Day depicted by Spanish painter Francisco Goya in his "The Third of May," which he paints in 1814

  4. Herman Daendels succeeds Albertus Wiese as Governor-General of Dutch-East Indies

    Herman Willem Daendels (21 October 1762 – 2 May 1818) was a Dutch military officer and colonial administrator who served as governor-general of the Dutch East Indies from 1808 to 1811.

  5. Organizational meeting held in Edinburgh leads to the founding of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a Scottish lear

    Organizational meeting held in Edinburgh leads to the founding of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a Scottish learned society

Events After

  1. French church annuls marriage of Napoleon I and Empress Joséphine

    Joséphine Bonaparte was the first wife of Emperor Napoleon I and as such Empress of the French from 18 May 1804 until their marriage was annulled on 10 January 1810.

  2. French leader Napoleon I marries 2nd wife Marie-Louise of Austria

    French leader Napoleon I marries 2nd wife Marie-Louise of Austria

  3. Ludwig van Beethoven composes his famous piano piece "Für Elise"

    Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist.

  4. In the May Revolution, citizens of Buenos Aires expel the Spanish Viceroy Cisneros during Semana de Mayo

    In the May Revolution, citizens of Buenos Aires expel the Spanish Viceroy Cisneros during Semana de Mayo

  5. American army officer and future US President Zachary Taylor (25) weds Margaret Smith (21) near Louisville, Kentucky, at

    American army officer and future US President Zachary Taylor (25) weds Margaret Smith (21) near Louisville, Kentucky, at the bride's sister's home

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The dissolution of the Dutch East India Company comes into effect

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Italian monk Giuseppe Piazzi discovers the dwarf planet Ceres

Giuseppe Piazzi was an Italian Catholic priest of the Theatine order, mathematician, and astronomer.

Emperor Gia Long orders all bronze wares of the Tây Sơn Dynasty to be collected and melted into nine cannons for the Roy

Emperor Gia Long orders all bronze wares of the Tây Sơn Dynasty to be collected and melted into nine cannons for the Royal Citadel in Huế, Vietnam

Jean-Jacques Dessalines declares Saint-Domingue (Haiti) independent from France, ending the 13-year-long Haitian Revolut

Jean-Jacques Dessalines declares Saint-Domingue (Haiti) independent from France, ending the 13-year-long Haitian Revolution; becoming the only state ever founded by formerly enslaved people and without slavery

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 21, 1809?
Archduke Charles Louis John Joseph Lawrence of Austria, Duke of Teschen (German: Erzherzog Karl Ludwig Johann Josef Lorenz von Österreich, Herzog von Teschen; 5 September 1771 – 30 April 1847) was an Austrian field marshal, the third son of Emperor Leopold II and Maria Luisa of Spain. He was also the younger brother of Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor. He was epileptic, but achieved respect both as a commander and as a reformer of the Austrian Army.
Why is Battle of Aspern-Essling: Austrian Archduke Charles beats Napoleon and his ar... significant?
Archduke Charles Louis John Joseph Lawrence of Austria, Duke of Teschen (German: Erzherzog Karl Ludwig Johann Josef Lorenz von Österreich, Herzog von Teschen; 5 September 1771 – 30 April 1847) was an Austrian field marshal, the third son of Emperor Leopold II and Maria Luisa of Spain.
Who was involved in Battle of Aspern-Essling: Austrian Archduke Charles beats Napoleon and his ar...?
Key figures include Napoleon Bonaparte (general and statesman).

Explore More

May 21 in HistoryYear 1809