On this day in 1775, the Battle of Bunker Hill is fought. It was technically a British victory—but only technically. Instead, the battle proved to be a morale booster for Americans who discovered that they could hold their own against the renowned British army. What a feat! It could easily have gone the other way, especially given the events of the day before. Death of General Warren at Bunker Hill, by John Trumbull Late on June 16, Colonel William Prescott had been dispatche

On this day in 1775, roughly 1,000 American provincial soldiers gather at Cambridge. They received a blessing from the Reverend Samuel Langdon, then departed with a wagon full of tools. The hard-fought Battle of Bunker Hill would follow the next day. Oddly, that battle wasn’t fought on Bunker Hill. Instead, the conflict occurred nearby, on Breed’s Hill. Why the confusion? The answer can be found in a decision made by Colonel William Prescott on the evening of June 16. Or mayb

On this day in 1945, a cavalryman is awarded a Medal of Honor. Jack L. Knight’s bravery came in the China-Burma-India Theater of World War II, the so-called “Forgotten Theater” of the war. He is the only ground combat soldier to receive a Medal of Honor in that theater. Knight’s little brother, Bill, remembers the day that his three oldest brothers, including Jack, left to join the Texas National Guard. It was November 1940, and the boys did not think they would be gone f

At about this time in 1943, a Marine arrives at Camp Lejeune. You may know Bea Arthur for her Hollywood success and roles on Maude and The Golden Girls, but did you know she was also a Marine during World War II? She wasn’t Bea Arthur back then. When she applied to the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, her name was Bernice Frankel. She’d applied just five days after the Marines announced the creation of the Women’s Reserve on February 13, 1943. “I was supposed to start work y

On this day in 1944, a soldier engages in an action that would earn him the Medal of Honor. Lt. Col. Robert G. Cole was then serving as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. Perhaps you know that division for its well-known nickname: the “Screaming Eagles.” Mere days before, on D-Day, Cole had been among those invading Normandy. In fact, his unit was making its first combat jump that day—and Cole had the honor of being the first to jump out of the lead plane. Unfo

On this day in 1919, American aviatrix Ruth Law breaks an altitude record. It was just one of many records that she’d break. Indeed, Law was so well-known during her day that reporters used to call her Angel Ruth or Queen of the Aces. And yet most Americans today have never heard of this daring pioneer. Law bought her first airplane from Orville Wright in 1912. She hoped he’d teach her to fly, but he refused to do it. He thought women were not mechanically inclined. Law was

On this day in 1772, the “first bold blow” of the American Revolution occurred. Maybe you thought the “shot heard ‘round the world” carried that honor? Well, not exactly. An earlier blow was dealt in the so-called Gaspee Affair. This blow was dealt by the independent-minded Rhode Island, which was sometimes called Rogue’s Island. Perhaps it is unsurprising that the state would take the first hit at Britain?! Burning of the Gaspee Schooner by W. W. May Rhode Island merchants s

On this day in 1923, a son is born to an Italian-American family in Waynesburg, Ohio. Joseph J. Cicchetti would go on to earn a Medal of Honor for his service during World War II. Cicchetti didn’t have to serve. He had a breathing problem that prevented him from meeting the Army’s physical standards. Some might have seized upon the excuse, but not Cicchetti. Instead, he underwent surgery to correct the nasal problem. Perhaps he was just that sort of a selfless young man.

On this day in 1756, the so-called “Patriot-Artist of the Revolution” is born in Connecticut. You may know of John Trumbull’s many famous paintings, but did you also know that he was arrested as a prisoner of war during the American Revolution? The paintings in the collage are: The Signing of the Declaration of Independence, Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, General George Washington Resigning His Commission to Congress, and The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s H

On this day in 1942, the Battle of Midway is fought. The Japanese had taken Americans by surprise at Pearl Harbor mere months before. Now the United States would strike a decisive blow of its own. Americans entered battle with a priceless advantage: They’d recently broken a Japanese naval code. The U.S. Navy had a pretty good idea of when, where, and how the Japanese would attack. Torpedo bombers prepare for takeoff. They’d barely figured out the “where.” As cryptanalysts l

On this day in 1794, George Washington appoints six captains for the new United States Navy. One of these men, John Barry, would later be named Commodore. Is Barry rightfully called the Father of the Navy or should the title go to John Paul Jones? You will hear arguments made for both men. The Army & Navy, Genl. Washington presenting Captain Barry with his Commission, by Alfred M. Hoffy Barry came from poor beginnings in Ireland, where he learned a love of ships from his un

On this day in 1731, future First Lady Martha Washington is born. History has relegated Martha to a simple label: George’s wife. What a shame! Martha was a vivacious, bright, capable woman with her own story to tell. “She is both famous as the first First Lady and completely unknown,” her biographer Patricia Brady concludes. The future Mrs. Washington’s given name at birth was Martha Dandridge—but her family called her “Patsy.” The Dandridges were modestly successful plantati

On this day in 1948, a young boy is born in the small town of Interlachen, Florida. Robert H. Jenkins would go on to become a Marine and a recipient of the Medal of Honor. His self-sacrifice did not surprise his family. Not even one little bit. “That sweet, sweet child,” as his mother called him, was a devout Christian who’d carried his Bible to Vietnam. “He would do anything for anybody,” she concluded. “When we were in school,” his sister Ruby told The Tampa Tribune,

On this day in 1806, future President Andrew Jackson faces Charles Dickinson in one of the most famous duels in American history. Jackson participated in many duels during his day, although the exact number is disputed. How remarkable that he survived so many of these encounters—or that he didn’t hurt more people. Jackson’s marriage to Rachel Donelson Robards became a source of public controversy. Rachel Donelson Robards was in an unhappy (maybe abusive) marriage when Jac

On this day in 1943, the Battle of Attu comes to an end. It was an American victory! The Japanese had held two of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands for nearly a year—but now we’d won one back. The second would soon follow. The Battle of Attu was the only land battle fought in North America during World War II, yet somehow it has earned the tag, “The Forgotten Battle.” How can that be? We suffered more than 3,000 casualties, including 549 dead, at Attu. Shouldn’t more Americans know

On this day in 1788, the last Federalist Paper is published. Thanks to all of you who have persevered with me through the entire series. Alexander Hamilton (a.k.a. Publius) delivers his concluding remarks on the new Constitution then being proposed to the states, including some final thoughts on whether amendments are needed before the Constitution is adopted. Hamilton thinks not! First, the plan is not “radically defective.” To the contrary, Hamilton notes that the system “t

On this day in 1813, Thomas Jefferson writes John Adams, informing him that their mutual friend Benjamin Rush had passed away. The two men had only just begun communicating after more than a decade of silence. It would take Abigail Adams a bit longer to relent, but she finally did a few weeks later. “Abigail’s voice, as always,” historian Joseph Ellis writes, “was the surest sign. Jefferson had been forgiven. The friendship, so long in storage, had never completely died.

On this day in 2005, Green Acres star Eddie Albert passes away. You might know him for his success in Hollywood, but do you know about his Navy service during World War II? Perhaps most notably, Albert supported Marines as they fought to secure the Tarawa Atoll and its important airstrip late in 1943. He even received a Bronze Star with Combat “V” for the stunning rescues he made. That invasion began on November 20 as Marines landed on the tiny island of Betio, along the

On this Memorial Day in 1948, a soldier is honored in a ceremony led by none other than General Omar Bradley. Edward G. Wilkin’s young son had received a Medal of Honor on his behalf two years earlier. Now he was also present as Wilkin’s remains were finally brought home. The younger Wilkin remembers the ceremony, “but what it really meant, what it represented,” he admitted. “I never really understood it until I got older of course.” He also remembers Bradley, who spoke t

On this day in 1755, Tench Coxe is born in Philadelphia. Was he a Patriot or a Loyalist? People weren’t so sure at first. But he rehabilitated himself—or at least his reputation—and later served in four presidential administrations. He also became a prolific writer on the importance of an armed citizenry. Perhaps it’s unsurprising, given his background. Coxe’s father was once a stamp (tax) collector in New Jersey. Patriot threats and protests caused him to resign, but then