The significant battle that took place on June 18, 1815, was the Battle of Waterloo. This confrontation marked the definitive defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, who had returned to power in France after his exile. The battle involved forces of the Seventh Coalition, primarily led by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher against Napoleon's army. The defeat at Waterloo ended the Napoleonic Wars and led to Napoleon's abdication and second exile. This battle reshaped the political landscape of Europe, leading to a period of relative stability known as the Congress of Vienna.