Death of Fingolfin (456 Y.S.) - After the death of Fëanor at Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Fingolfin became High King of the Noldor.  And after Morgoth broke out of Angband and began Dagor Bragollach, the safety of the Noldor was Fingolfin's responsibility.  So when the war turned against them, Fingolfin decided to take a drastic step.

 

"Fingolfin beheld the utter ruin of the Noldor, and the defeat beyond redress of all their houses; and filled with wrath and despair he mounted upon Rochallor his great horse and rode forth alone, and none might restrain him.  He passed over Dor-nu-Fauglith like a wind amid the dust, and all that beheld his onset fled in amaze, thinking that Oromë himself was come; for a great madness of rage was upon him, so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar.  Thus he came to Angband's gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat.  And Morgoth came." ~The Silmarillion, chap. 18 (Of the Ruin of Beleriand)

 

And so began the battle of the Age.

 

"Then Morgoth hurled aloft Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld, and swung it down like a bolt of thunder.  But Fingolfin sprang aside, and Grond rent a mighty pit in the earth, whence smoke and fire darted.  Many times Morgoth essayed to smite him, and each time Fingolfin leaped away, as lightning shoots from under a dark cloud; and he wounded Morgoth with seven wounds, and seven times Morgoth gave a cry of anguish, whereat the hosts of Angband fell upon their faces in dismay, and the cries echoed in the Northlands.

 

"But at the last the King grew weary, and Morgoth bore down his shield upon him.  Thrice he was crushed to his knees, and thrice arose again and bore up his broken shield and stricken helm.  But the earth was all rent and pitted about him, and he stumbled and fell backward before the feet of Morgoth; and Morgoth set his left foot upon his neck, and the weight of it was like a fallen hill.  Yet with his last and desperate stroke Fingolfin hewd the foot with Ringil, and the blood gushed forth black and smoking and filled the pits of Grond.  Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most pround and valiant of the Elven-kings of old." ~The Silmarillion, chap. 18 (Of the Ruin of Beleriand)