tak wrote:
Thinking of the Battle of Tours (~mid-700's) Ending the Moorish thrust into
France by way of Spain?


Possibly. That was well before the Crusades, by more years than there
are between Presidents George Washington & George Bush!

But I guess, what's a couple hundred years or so, it's ancient history
anyway


Also significant was the Battle of Lopinto(?)--Sea battle won by an Italian
lead Fleet vs. the Turks (mid-1600's?)


Yes, and that was probably more significant than the siege of Vienna
IMHO (not to take away from Sobieski's victory), because it showed that
the Turks were not the equal of European states in industry &
technology, plus this battle determined who would control the wealthiest
trade routes of the time.

And of course, The Defeat of the Turks at the Gates of Vienna. Departure
points for further reseach on the current thread-All three Battles
considered turning points in a long, long war between Christian West and
Moslem East.


A war that some people on both sides would like to reignite, for no
better reason than their imaginary friend's urging. Some even pretend
this war has been going on all the time.

Scary... but those who are ignorant can be more easily persuaded. Which
IMHO is one reason why the Bush Administration and it's followers are
determined to dismantle the U.S. education system.

DSK