Trafalgar Day – October 21, 2022, history, significance
Trafalgar Day is an annual celebration observed on October 21. It commemorates the victory of the Royal Navy against the French and Spanish naval forces at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Lord Horatio Nelson became one of Britain’s best-known war heroes after the Battle of Trafalgar. The British fleet that he commanded consisted of warships built of wood, driven by sails, and equipped on both sides with cannons. The Battle of Trafalgar was significant, confirming the superiority of the British Royal Navy and marking the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson.
HISTORY OF TRAFALGAR DAY
In 1805, France was the dominant military force, and Napoleon was a great soldier. In Europe, however, the Royal Navy ruled the seas. On the Franco-Spanish front were 33 line ships, five frigates, and two brigs, while the Royal Navy had 27 line ships, four frigates, one schooner, and one cutter.
Due to intricate and impracticable tactics at sea, the Franco-Spanish navy, under Admiral Pierre Villeneuve, was defeated. On October 20, 1805, the French and Spanish ships sailed in three columns from Gibraltar to the southeast. The same night, 18 British line ships were seen pursuing.
Admiral Villeneuve organized his fleet in a straight line in the Atlantic Ocean near the Spanish coast from October 20 to 21. Admiral Horatio Nelson of the British Navy, though, took a different approach. The Royal Navy fleet approached in a single line but split into two lines.
Admiral Nelson’s ships then approached the single line of ships created by the French and Spanish forces and separated it into three smaller, more manageable portions. While a portion of Admiral Villeneuve’s fleet was left alone, the other two were pushed into close-quarters combat with Royal Navy vessels.
This approach permitted Royal Navy crews to engage in skilled ship-to-ship combat. At the same time, by disrupting Admiral Villeneuve’s forces’ single line, the Royal Navy broke simple communication between Franco-Spanish ships.
Several British ships were damaged in the combat. Among the damaged ships was H.M.S. Victory, which had attacked the French flagship Bucentaure and the Redoutable. Vice-Admiral Nelson captured 18 French ships, forcing Admiral Villeneuve to surrender at 13:45 on the same day. On October 21, 1805, at 16:30, the Battle of Trafalgar ended.
TRAFALGAR DAY TIMELINE
1765
Launch of H.M.S. Victory
The launch of H.M.S. Victory occurs with the ship having 104 guns, 27 miles of rigging, and four acres of sail.
1778
H.M.S. Victory in Active Service
In March, the commissioning of H.M.S. Victory for active service takes place.
1805
Battle of Trafalgar
The battle of Trafalgar commences between England and Franco-Spanish forces.
1840-1843
The Nelson Column
The construction of Nelson’s column honoring Horatio Nelson and his brave efforts in battle takes place.
HOW TO OBSERVE TRAFALGAR DAY
Attend the event in London
You can attend the events taking place in Central London on the closest Sunday to the event which is the largest celebration on that day. From the Horse Guards Parade in Westminster to Mall to Trafalgar Square, sea cadets march to the sound of a band, where they are joined by Royal Navy officers.
Visit the HMS Victory
Permanently anchored at Portsmouth Dockyard, it is a popular tourist attraction with a plaque to identify the area on the deck where Nelson fell and the cockpit where he died staged as a memorial. As a Royal Navy ship, it is a fully commissioned vessel and a flagship for Naval Home Command to this day.
Read more about the battle
The Battle of Trafalgar is a very important battle that determined the fate of Britain. You can read up more about the battle and share your knowledge online or in person.
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ADMIRAL NELSON
Famous Signal
Before the engagement, Nelson sent the infamous signal: ‘England expects every soldier to perform his duty.’
Nelson was injured
A French sharpshooter fatally shot Nelson in the spine when he stood on top of his ship during an engagement with the French ship Redoutable.
Below deck
So as not to demotivate his men, Nelson was taken below deck after being shot.
Nelson’s appearance
During the battle, he fought with only one arm and an eye after being injured in previous battles.
Tactical battle
Nelson divided the fleet and Admiral Collingwood, Nelson’s deputy, took charge of half of the fleet while Nelson sailed directly at the French and Spanish lines, attempting to cut them in half.
WHY TRAFALGAR DAY IS IMPORTANT
British naval dominance
For more than a century, the outcome of the Battle of Trafalgar was crucial because it secured British naval dominance on the sea. Napoleon’s invasion of England was effectively thwarted as a result of the battle.
Remembrance
The day serves as a remembrance for the brave soldiers who lost their lives. While celebrations are ongoing, there is also a sense of loss for those who died including Admiral Nelson.
Historical event
The Battle of Trafalgar serves as a significant day in British history. The battle and victory allowed Britain to remain independent which would have changed if they had been conquered.
