1588. Defeat of the Invincible Armada

430 years ago, on August 8, 1588, the English fleet of admirals Charles Howard and Francis Drake defeated the remnants of the Spanish Invincible Armada in the English Channel under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, which had previously been battered by a storm. The British, who had more long-range guns and also used fireships, sank and captured 66 of the 130 Spanish ships without losing a single one of their own.

The defeat of the Invincible Armada was the end of Spanish rule on the seas and the beginning of the decline of Spain as a world power.