On October 25, 1854, during the Crimean War, a significant battle took place on the Crimean Peninsula: the Battle of Balaclava. This combat occurred during the Siege of Sevastopol, which pitted the armies of the British, French, and Ottoman Empires against those of the Russian Empire.

The unfortunate but valiant cavalry charge known as the Charge of the Light Brigade took place during the Battle of Balaclava, and Lord Tennyson later wrote a poem in its honor. The British Light Brigade, consisting of around 670 horses, charged headfirst into a well fortified Russian artillery position due to poor communication and imprecise orders. Heavy casualties were sustained during the charge, yet it is nevertheless recognized as an act of courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

While the overall outcome of the Battle of Balaclava was inconclusive, it did shed light on the difficulties the British and their allies encountered in terms of logistics and organization during the Crimean War. The war ended in 1856, but the Battle of Balaclava is still remembered as a symbol of both heroic sacrifice and military folly.