This list includes 15 Historical events that start with Z, from “Zaian War” to “Zurich Agreement”. They cover global conflicts, agreements, and cultural milestones useful for research, teaching, and quick reference.
Historical events that start with Z are notable incidents, conflicts, or agreements whose common English name begins with Z. For example, the “Zaian War” illustrates colonial resistance in early twentieth-century Morocco.
Below you’ll find the table with Year, Location, and Significance.
Year: Shows the date or date range for each event, helping you place developments in chronological order.
Location: Gives the city, region, or country where the event occurred, so you assess geographic context quickly.
Significance: Provides a concise summary of why the event matters, helping you decide its relevance for study or teaching.
Historical events that start with Z
| Event | Year | Location | Short significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar Revolution | 1964 | Zanzibar, Tanzania | Overthrew Sultan; led to union forming Tanzania |
| Zoot Suit Riots | 1943 | Los Angeles, USA | Racially charged riots exposing wartime social tensions |
| Zimmermann Telegram | 1917 | Atlantic/Germany/Mexico | Secret German proposal that helped push US into World War I |
| Zanj Rebellion | 869–883 CE | Mesopotamia (Iraq) | Major slave revolt that challenged Abbasid authority |
| Zaian War | 1914–1921 | Central Morocco | Lengthy French colonial campaign against Berber resistance |
| Zapatista uprising | 1994 | Chiapas, Mexico | Indigenous rebellion spotlighting poverty and rights |
| Zunghar genocide | 1755–1758 CE | Dzungaria, China | Qing campaigns that devastated the Dzungar population |
| Zunghar–Qing Wars | 1687–1758 CE | Dzungaria / Qing China | Series of conflicts ending Dzungar power in Central Asia |
| Zunyi Conference | 1935 | Zunyi, China | Critical CCP meeting that elevated Mao’s authority |
| Zurich Agreement | 1959 | Zurich, Switzerland | Framework that led to Cyprus’s independence |
| Zeebrugge Raid | 1918 | Zeebrugge, Belgium | British naval attempt to block German U-boats |
| Zong massacre | 1781 | Atlantic (near Grenada) | Slave ship atrocity that galvanized abolitionists |
| Zheng He’s voyages | 1405–1433 CE | Indian Ocean | Massive Ming naval expeditions expanding trade and diplomacy |
| Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive | 2023 | Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine | Major Ukrainian operation in the Russo‑Ukrainian War |
| Zamość Uprising | 1942–1943 | Zamość region, Poland | Local resistance to Nazi expulsions and colonization |
Descriptions
Zanzibar Revolution
In 1964 in Zanzibar, African nationalists toppled the Sultan and ruling elite, ending Arab-dominated rule; it prompted a merger with Tanganyika the same year, creating the modern state of Tanzania and reshaping East African politics.
Zoot Suit Riots
In June 1943 servicemen and civilians attacked Mexican American youths in distinctive “zoot suits” in Los Angeles; the riots highlighted racial prejudice, policing practices, and wartime anxieties, prompting national discussion on civil rights.
Zimmermann Telegram
In 1917 Germany proposed a Mexico–Germany alliance in the Zimmermann Telegram; British interception and publication inflamed US public opinion and helped precipitate American entry into World War I.
Zanj Rebellion
From 869–883 CE enslaved East African labourers (Zanj) staged a prolonged uprising in southern Iraq, capturing cities and challenging the Abbasid Caliphate, revealing deep social tensions in early Islamic society.
Zaian War
From 1914–1921 French forces fought the Zaian Confederation in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains; the conflict prolonged anti-colonial resistance and influenced French military administration in North Africa.
Zapatista uprising
On 1 January 1994 the Zapatista Army of National Liberation rose in Chiapas protesting NAFTA and indigenous marginalization; their insurgency and media-savvy activism changed Mexican political debates on rights and reform.
Zunghar genocide
Between 1755–1758 Qing military actions annihilated much of the Dzungar Khanate’s population through warfare, killings, and displacement, dramatically altering Central Asian demography and Qing frontier control.
Zunghar–Qing Wars
From c.1687 to 1758 Qing forces fought successive campaigns against the Dzungar Khanate, ultimately incorporating its territory into the empire and transforming regional power balances.
Zunyi Conference
In January 1935 during the Long March, Chinese Communist leaders met at Zunyi to reassess strategy; Mao Zedong’s viewpoints gained prominence, shaping the Communist movement’s future leadership and tactics.
Zurich Agreement
The 1959 Zurich Agreements between Britain, Greece and Turkey established constitutional arrangements for an independent Republic of Cyprus, setting terms that influenced the island’s post-colonial politics.
Zeebrugge Raid
On 23 April 1918 British naval forces attacked the Zeebrugge mole to deny German U-boat access; tactically mixed, the raid became a symbolic act of wartime daring and sacrifice.
Zong massacre
In 1781 crew members of the British slave ship Zong threw about 130 enslaved Africans overboard; the ensuing legal case and public outcry helped catalyze the British abolition movement.
Zheng He’s voyages
Between 1405–1433 Admiral Zheng He’s fleets sailed from China across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Arabia, and East Africa, projecting Ming influence and increasing maritime exchange.
Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive
In 2023 Ukrainian forces mounted operations in the Zaporizhzhia region aiming to reclaim occupied territory; the counteroffensive affected front-line dynamics and international discussions on military support.
Zamość Uprising
From 1942–1943 Polish underground and civilians resisted German forced removals and settlement programs in the Zamość area, saving many inhabitants and disrupting Nazi plans for Germanisation.