Britain Captures Gibraltar: The Rock Changes Hands
Gibraltar fell to an Anglo-Dutch fleet in August 1704, during the War of the Spanish Succession. Admiral George Rooke's ships bombarded the small fortress for two days. The 500 Spanish defenders surrendered. Britain has held it ever since — over 320 years. Spain has asked for it back repeatedly and regularly. The inhabitants have voted to stay British twice, most recently in 2002, with 98.5% voting against shared sovereignty. The territory is 2.6 square miles. The argument about it is considerably larger.
August 4, 1704
322 years ago
Key Figures & Places
England
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Netherlands
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George Rooke
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Gibraltar
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Admiral
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War of the Spanish Succession
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Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
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Sir George Rooke
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World War I
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British
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France
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Queen Elizabeth
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United States
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English Channel
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George Rooke
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George VI
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House of Windsor
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Gibraltar
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Admiral
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England
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War of the Spanish Succession
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Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor
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Louis Blériot
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Toma de Gibraltar (1704)
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Jorge de Hesse-Darmstadt
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Franky Zapata
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Sangatte
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Flyboard Air
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St Margaret-at-Cliffe
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ألمانيا في الحرب العالمية الأولى
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