Category: Today in History
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October 13, 1775
The Continental Congress establishes the Continental Navy, predecessor of the United States Navy. ㅤEstablished on October 13, 1775, by the Continental Congress, the Continental Navy served as the naval force for the United Colonies during the American Revolutionary War. Championed by patrons like John Adams, the navy was created to combat British forces, though it…
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October 7, 2001
The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan begins with an air assault and covert operations on the ground, starting the longest war in American history. ㅤIn response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States launched the “war on terror,” leading a multinational invasion of Afghanistan. The primary goals were to dismantle al-Qaeda, which was led…
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July 25, 315
The Arch of Constantine is completed near the Colosseum in Rome to commemorate Constantine I’s victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. ㅤThe Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome commissioned by the Roman Senate to honor Emperor Constantine the Great. Dedicated in 315 CE, it commemorates his victory over Maxentius at the…
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July 20, 1969
Apollo 11’s crew successfully makes the first human landing on the Moon in the Sea of Tranquility. American Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon six and a half hours later. ㅤApollo 11 was the historic American spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon in July…
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June 6, 1944
Commencement of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, with the execution of Operation Neptune—commonly referred to as D-Day—the largest seaborne invasion in history. ㅤThe Normandy landings, codenamed Operation Neptune and commonly known as D-Day, were the pivotal Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II. As the largest seaborne invasion…
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April 15, 1947
Jackie Robinson debuts for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking baseball’s color line. ㅤIn 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball when the Brooklyn Dodgers called him up to the major leagues. He made his debut on April 15, 1947, at Ebbets Field before a crowd of 26,623 spectators, over half of whom…
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April 10, 1896
1896 Summer Olympics: The Olympic marathon is run ending with the victory of Greek athlete Spyridon Louis. ㅤThe men’s marathon was a special event introduced at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens as the capstone of the athletics program. Seventeen athletes from five nations participated in this inaugural race, which was inspired by the legend…
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April 9, 1784
The Treaty of Paris, ratified by the United States Congress on January 14, 1784, is ratified by King George III of the Kingdom of Great Britain, ending the American Revolutionary War. ㅤThe Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, by Great Britain and the United States, formally concluded the American Revolutionary War. This landmark…
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April 9, 1865
Robert E. Lee surrenders the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War. ㅤOn the morning of April 9, 1865, Confederate General John B. Gordon’s corps attacked Union cavalry, initially pushing them back. However, the Confederate advance stalled upon encountering the Union XXIV and…
Paul M. Krueger 