When was the Spanish Armada vanquished by the English?

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 is a pivotal moment in English history. Spain, then a superpower under King Philip II, aimed to invade England and overthrow Queen Elizabeth I, restoring Catholicism. The Armada was a massive fleet of ships intended to escort an army from the Netherlands to English shores. However, the English navy, though smaller, was more maneuverable and used innovative tactics, like fireships, to disrupt the Spanish formation. After several battles in the English Channel, the Armada was scattered. Storms then further devastated the fleet as it attempted to return to Spain around the coasts of Scotland and Ireland. The year 1588 marks the end of the Spanish threat and the beginning of England's rise as a major naval power. While other dates might seem plausible, 1588 is the specific year that this decisive naval battle took place, securing England's independence and Protestant identity.