Retrograde in History · 1898
Battle of Manila Bay
On May 1, 1898, Mercury was mid-loop — retrograde in Taurus, tracing backward through 11°00′ of the sign.
WhenMay 1, 1898♉︎Taurus 11°00′Rx windowApr 20 – May 14, 1898
The record
On 1 May 1898, Commodore George Dewey's American Asiatic Squadron destroyed the Spanish Pacific Squadron under Contraalmirante Patricio Montojo in Manila Bay, marking the first major engagement of the Spanish–American War.
Born inside this same window
Coincidence, not causation: the date is real and ephemeris-based, but a retrograde window is observed, never blamed. For entertainment, not navigation.