19th of July - Armada Day
19th of July is the 200th day of the year
Armada Day:
It is natural that an event as significant in our history as the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 should be marked as a special day in the national calendar. It is surprising that for many years now it has been little observed. Philip II of Spain in May 1588 sent a huge fleet bearing a considerable military force to embark further soldiers in Flanders. The Spanish king wished to end English attacks on his country’s trade with the New World, restore Catholicism here, and surely become our king, his claim to the throne as widower of Mary I an arguable one - especially backed by a powerful army. July 19th was the first day the fleet on its way to combine with the Flanders’ force was observed off the Lizzard Point. Weather, English daring and poor Spanish leadership combined to thwart the putative invaders. Had the Spaniards managed to disembark their army, acknowledged as far more effective than any land force we could muster, Philip would probably have succeeded in his plans.
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