Sinking of the USS Reuben James
On October 31, 1941, a German submarine torpedoed the USS Reuben James – the first US Navy ship destroyed during World War II.
World War II
Happy Birthday Bill Mauldin
William Henry “Bill” Mauldin was born on October 29, 1921, in Mountain Park, New Mexico.
The Alaska Highway
On October 28, 1942, construction was completed on the 1,700 mile Alaska Highway.
Death of Irving Berlin
On September 22, 1989, legendary composer Irving Berlin died in New York City at the age of 101.
Buffalo Soldiers
On September 21, 1866, the 9th and 10th Cavalry units and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry units (later consolidated as the 24th and 25th Infantry) were formed. The units were comprised entirely of black soldiers – the first to serve in a peacetime army. They would come to be known as Buffalo Soldiers.
Happy Birthday, Milton Hershey
Businessman and philanthropist Milton Snavely Hershey was born on September 13, 1857, in Derry Township, Pennsylvania.
Birth of Romare Bearden
Artist Romare Bearden was born September 2, 1911, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Happy Birthday, Ted Williams
Baseball legend Theodore Samuel Williams was born on August 30, 1918, in San Diego, California.
First Women Enlist in the Marines
On August 13, 1918, Opha May Johnson became the first woman to enlist in the US Marine Corps Reserve.