What significant battle occurred that first used the term "European"?

The term "European" began to gain significance in the context of broader geographic and political identities during the time of the Battle of the Tours, which took place in 732 AD. This battle is notable not only for its military implications but also for its cultural significance. It was fought between the Frankish leader Charles Martel and the invading Muslim forces from the Umayyad Caliphate. The victory at Tours is often credited with halting the northward advance of Islam into Western Europe, thus influencing the cultural and religious landscape of the continent.

This event is associated with the emergence of a distinct European identity, as it marked a pivotal moment in shaping the political and religious boundaries of what would become modern Europe. The battle highlighted the struggles within Europe between different cultures and religions, and it played a significant role in the development of European history, further embedding the concept of a unified "European" identity emerging from these conflicts.

In contrast, while the Battle of Hastings, Battle of the Bulge, and Battle of Waterloo are significant events in their own right, they do not carry the same foundational implications for the term "European" or its usage in historical discourse. The Hastings battle in 1066 was crucial for the Norman Conquest, the Bulge