World War II
Birth of Percy Lavon Julian
Chemist Percy Lavon Julian was born on April 11, 1899, in Montgomery, Alabama. Julian was one of the first African Americans to receive a doctorate in chemistry, and the first to be inducted into the National Academy of Sciences. He owned more than 100 chemical patents and was a pioneer in chemical synthesis of drugs used in medicine.
The Battle of Manila
The WWII Battle of Manila begins. It was the first and most violent urban fighting of the war in the Pacific, but the Allies were victorious.
Happy Birthday Paul Newman
Actor, director, race car driver, and philanthropist Paul Leonard Newman was born on January 26, 1925, in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Birth of Oveta Culp Hobby
Oveta Culp Hobby was born on January 19, 1905, in Killeen, Texas.
Battle of Monte Cassino
On January 17, 1944, the Allies launched one of the longest and bloodiest fights of the Italian campaign – the Battle of Monte Cassino.
Casablanca Conference
On January 14, 1943, Allied leaders met in Casablanca, Morocco, to discuss the next stage of World War II.
Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms
On January 6, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt gave his “Four Freedoms” speech while delivering the State of the Union Address.
Birth of John von Neumann
Mathematician and scientist John von Neumann was born on December 28, 1903, in Budapest, Hungary.
Flying Tigers First Combat
On December 20, 1941, the Flying Tigers engaged in their first battle.