1776: Although the Continental Congress voted to establish “the thirteen united [sic] States of America” on July 2 and adopted Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence two days …
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1914: As France begins mobilization of its army, Germany crosses into neighboring Luxembourg and declares war against Russia. 1943: (Featured image) 177 B-24 Liberator bombers of the Ninth and (newly …
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1777: A month after arriving in the United States, the Marquis de Lafayette is commissioned “major general” in the Continental Army after offering to serve without pay. Lafayette will meet …
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1780: A force of 600 militiamen, led by Col. Isaac Shelby, surrounds Thicketty Fort (South Carolina) and demands that the Loyalists surrender. Despite having sufficient arms to repel the patriots, …
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1816: After freed slaves serving as Colonial British Marines attack and kill several American sailors stopping to fill their canteens near Negro Fort in Spanish Florida, Maj. Gen. (and future …
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1861: Following the Union’s defeat at Bull Run, President Abraham Lincoln summons Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan (thus far the only Union general with any degree of success) to Washington, …
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1814: Days after proving America’s mettle against the British in the Battle of Chippawa, Maj. Gen. Jacob Brown again clashes with the King’s Men in Upper Canada, near Niagara Falls. …
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1897: (featured image) A crowd of over 10,000 greets the black soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division’s “Bicycle Corps” as they ride into St. Louis’ Forest Park, completing a 41-day, …
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74 years ago today on Dutch New Guinea’s Noemfoor Island, Sgt. Ray E. Eubanks leads a squad against an enemy position that is devastating his company with machinegun, rifle, and …
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1944: As Adolf Hitler meets with officials at his “Wolf’s Lair” headquarters in East Prussia, a suitcase bomb planted by Col. Claus von Stauffenberg detonates, killing three German officers and …