📅 Today in HistoryOctober 19

Second Punic War: At the Battle of Zama, Roman legions under Scipio Africanus defeat Hannibal Barca, leader of the army defending Carthage.[citation needed]

The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, take Carthage in North Africa.

The Universität Heidelberg holds its first lecture, making it the oldest German university.

Hundred Years' War: Three months after the Battle of Castillon, England loses its last possessions in southern France.

The Thirteen Years' War between Poland and the Teutonic Order ends with the Second Treaty of Thorn.

Ferdinand II of Aragon marries Isabella I of Castile, a marriage that paves the way to the unification of Aragon and Castile into a single country, Spain.

Martin Luther becomes a doctor of theology.

James VI of Scotland is celebrated as an adult ruler by a festival in Edinburgh.

The Spanish ship San Felipe runs aground on the coast of Japan and its cargo is confiscated by local authorities.

New Ross town in Ireland surrenders to Oliver Cromwell.