French invasion of Russia

Historical eventNovember 31812

French invasion of Russia

French invasion of Russia: As Napoleon's Grande Armée began its retreat, its rear guard was defeated at the Battle of Vyazma.

Everything on November 3Original source

In context

When
Tuesday, November 3 1812214 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
19th century · 1810s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1812.

What happened

French invasion of Russia: As Napoleon's Grande Armée began its retreat, its rear guard was defeated at the Battle of Vyazma.

November 3 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1812French invasion of Russia
  2. 1986Compact of Free Association
  3. 1986Iran–Contra affair
  4. 1988Sri Lanka
  5. 1992Arkansas
  6. 1994Space Shuttle program
  7. 1996Abdullah Çatlı
  8. 1997Economic sanctions
  9. 20022002 Marib airstrike
  10. 2014One World Trade Center
  11. 20202020 United States presidential election

Also in 1812

  • May 11Spencer PercevalSpencer Perceval was shot in the lobby of the House of Commons, becoming the only British prime minister to be assassinated.
  • August 15War of 1812War of 1812: Potawatomi warriors ambushed a United States Army convoy after it had evacuated Fort Dearborn, in present-day Chicago, and r…
  • June 221812 French declaration of war on RussiaFrance declared war on Russia, starting Napoleon's invasion two days later.
  • January 10New Orleans (steamboat)New Orleans (pictured), the first steamship on the Mississippi River, arrived at New Orleans to complete its maiden voyage.
  • June 24Napoleonic WarsNapoleonic Wars: Led by Napoleon, the French Grande Armée crossed the Neman, beginning their invasion of Russia.
  • April 6Peninsular WarPeninsular War: After a three-week siege, the Anglo-Portuguese Army, under the Earl of Wellington, captured Badajoz, Spain, and forced th…
  • December 29War of 1812War of 1812: In a three-hour single-ship action, HMS Java (drawing shown) was captured by USS Constitution off the coast of Brazil.
  • October 13War of 1812War of 1812: British troops and Mohawk warriors repelled an American invasion from across the Niagara River at the Battle of Queenston He…

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Sources

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“French invasion of Russia”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/french-invasion-of-russia-1812-november-3, accessed October 25, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did French invasion of Russia happen?

November 3 1812 — 214 years ago, on a Tuesday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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