This Day in History: The first ships in “Washington’s Navy”
On this day in 1775, George Washington directs Nicolson Broughton to take command of the first ship in Washington’s Navy. The war had...
Search
tara
- Aug 29
- 3 min
This Day in History: USS Memphis is wrecked by a massive tidal wave
On this day in 1916, a U.S. Navy armored cruiser is wrecked by a massive tidal wave. USS Memphis was effectively destroyed and dozens of...
tara
- Aug 3
- 3 min
This Day in History: Survivors of USS Indianapolis rescued
On this day in 1945, the last survivors of the USS Indianapolis are pulled from the Pacific Ocean. They’d been there since a Japanese...
tara
- Jun 30
- 3 min
This Day in History: Captain Silas Talbot
On this day in 1813, a former captain of the Continental Navy passes away. Silas Talbot also served in the United States Navy as the...
tara
- Jun 23
- 3 min
This Day in History: A tragic end for one of America’s early war heroes
On this day in 1807, USS Chesapeake limps back into Hampton Roads. Just one day earlier, she’d been involved in a disastrous...
tara
- Jun 22
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Chesapeake–Leopard affair
On this day in 1807, a British Royal Navy officer boards an American ship, looking for deserters. The humiliating affair ended when the...
tara
- May 6
- 3 min
This Day in History: German U-boats near Rhode Island
On this day in 1945, Americans destroy a German submarine near Point Judith, Rhode Island. That submarine, U-853, had torpedoed an...
tara
- Apr 5
- 2 min
This Day in History: HMS Bolton captured
On this day in 1776, a fledgling Continental Navy captures HMS Bolton. She was the second British ship to be captured in only two days....
tara
- Mar 11
- 3 min
This Day in History: The survivors of USS Leopold
On this day in 1944, survivors of USS Leopold arrive in Ireland. Their ship had been torpedoed late on March 9, and they’d been left in...
tara
- Mar 10
- 3 min
This Day in History: USS Leopold's forgotten struggle in the Atlantic
On this day in 1944, the last survivor of USS Leopold is pulled from a frigid Atlantic Ocean. Amazingly, 28 men had survived—for hours—in...
tara
- Feb 17
- 3 min
This Day in History: A Confederate sub sinks USS Housatonic
On this day in 1864, a Confederate submarine torpedoes and sinks USS Housatonic. The H.L. Hunley changed naval warfare forever. It was...
tara
- Feb 15
- 3 min
This Day in History: USS Maine explodes at Havana
On this day in 1898, USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor. To this day, no one knows exactly why the warship was destroyed. But at the...
tara
- Dec 16, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The Great White Fleet
On this day in 1907, the United States Navy launches its Great White Fleet. Sixteen American battleships would circumnavigate the globe,...
tara
- Nov 26, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: HMT Rohna: “World War II’s Secret Tragedy”
On this day in 1943, HMT Rohna is attacked. Her demise would be called “World War II’s Secret Tragedy.” More than 1,000 American troops...
tara
- Nov 9, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: SS Fort Lee's survivors
On this day in 1944, survivors of SS Fort Lee are rescued. The American tanker had been torpedoed by a German submarine a full week...
tara
- Nov 6, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: The 12-year-old who served in World War II
On this day in 1942, a 12-year-old distinguishes himself in combat. Yes, you read that correctly: A 12-year-old fought in World War II....
tara
- Nov 2, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: SS Fort Lee torpedoed
On this day in 1944, American tanker SS Fort Lee is torpedoed by Germans. Our military took risks during World War II, and we often hear...
tara
- Oct 31, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: USS Reuben James, first warship lost in World War II
On this day in 1941, USS Reuben James is torpedoed by a German submarine. She would become the first American warship sunk during World...
tara
- Oct 21, 2021
- 2 min
This Day in History: Old Ironsides is launched
On this day in 1797, Old Ironsides is launched! “Old Ironsides” is the nickname that was given to the USS Constitution, one of the first...
tara
- Jul 25, 2021
- 3 min
This Day in History: George S. Rentz & his Navy Cross
On this day in 1882, a hero is born. George S. Rentz would go on to become the only Navy Chaplain to receive a Navy Cross during World...