Sunday, August 10, 2014

Missouri Statehood

Missouri, the 24th state in the Union, was admitted on this date in 1821. The 24-star flag, introduced on July 4, 1822, would remain the standard for the United States for 14 years, until the 25th star for Arkansas was added in 1836. During the time of this edition of the flag, the term "Old Glory" was first used by Captain William Driver, commander of the whaling vessel Charles Doggett.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

The Purple Heart

The Badge of Military Merit, which would eventually become the Purple Heart, was established by General George Washington on August 7, 1782 and awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers. It was not awarded again until after World War I and, having not been formally abolished, is the oldest military award still given in the United States.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Hiroshima

On this date in 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb used in combat on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, causing possibly as many as 80,000 deaths, with thousands more later from radiation and other illnesses. While many still debate the morality of the use of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there is no doubt that, had the Japanese not surrendered following the dropping of the bombs, the Allied invasion of Japan, scheduled to begin on November 1, 1945, would have likely caused millions of casualties on both sides before Japan would have capitulated.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Damn The Torpedoes! Full Speed Ahead!

It was during the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, when Admiral David Farragut ordered what would eventually be a successful run through a minefield and eventually lead to an important Union victory and the capture of Mobile Bay, the final Confederate-held port east of the Mississippi River. When Farragut, lashed to the rigging in order to see above the smoke of the battle, saw his ships slow as they approached and was told there were torpedoes (mines) in their path, he was reported to have said, "Damn the torpedoes! Go ahead!" or "Full speed ahead!" No one is sure exactly what Farragut said that day, but the saying became part of naval tradition and lore from that point forward.