On this day in history.

[giradman]

REPEAT BELOW FROM TODAY 2016, BUT WORTH REMEMBERING

Again, I highly recommend the Robert Ballard documentary shown below - also just watched a nearly 2-hour video on Midway just put up on YouTube late in 2017 - excellently done w/ plenty of vintage video footage - not to be missed by history buffs! Dave

Battle of Midway Began Today in 1942!

Just 6 months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Admiral "Yamamoto's plan for Midway Island was an extension of his efforts to knock the U.S. Pacific Fleet out of action long enough for Japan to fortify her defensive perimeter in the Pacific island chains. Yamamoto felt it necessary to seek an early, offensive decisive battle (Source)." The result was the most important Japanese-American naval engagement in WW II - the Japanese lost four aircraft carriers and for the rest of the war remained only a 'defensive' force in the Pacific theater (see quote below - Source).

Pics below show the relationship of the Midway Islands (small atolls/isles) to Hawaii - the 4 Japanese aircraft carriers are diagrammed. There is a 1976 star-studded (Heston, Fonda, and many others) movie which is not great (I do not own the film); a much better portrayal of the naval engagement and the search for the USS Yorktown is Robert Ballard's explorations in the late 1990s (the second 'documentary'). Dave

The Battle of Midway was the single most important naval engagement of World War II. Occurring just six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the resounding American victory at Midway checked what had been an almost unbroken string of Japanese victories during the opening phase of the Pacific War.

During a battle that stretched from June 4-7, 1942, the Japanese lost their four finest aircraft carriers—Akagi, Kaga, Hiryū and Sōryū—along with nearly 250 aircraft and over 3,000 sailors killed. In return, the Americans lost the carrier Yorktown, and around 300 men.

This victory restored the balance of carrier power in the Pacific at a crucial time in the war and allowed the Americans to begin considering counter-offensive activities of their own. Just two months later, they would land troops on Guadalcanal, which initiated what was to become the decisive campaign of the entire war. Thus, Midway marks the high tide of the Japanese offensive.

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[giradman]

George Washington Starts Construction on Ft. Necessity - Events Ignite the French & Indian War

Below is a post that I left 4 years ago in my West Virginia travelogue, i.e. a day trip into southwestern Pennsylvania to visit Ft. Necessity & Fallingwater (Frank Lloyd Wright's creation) - Washington was a young colonial Lt. Colonel under orders from Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia to investigate French and Indian activity in the area near what would become Pittsburgh. Unwittingly, he confessed to the murder of a French officer of nobility (the confession was in French which George could not read) - more information in the links below and HERE, for those interested. For those wanting to know more about Fallingwater, visit this post and others in the WVa travelogue. Dave

Southwestern Pennsylvania - Ft. Necessity & Fallingwater!

Our second day trip took us into southwestern Pennsylvania (about a 2 hr drive from the Stonewall Jackson State Park) w/ two goals in mind, first a visit to Ft. Necessity National Battlefield and then onto Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. The drive was beautiful w/ first the northern mountains of West VA and then those of Pennsylvania - from the map, HW 79 took us to Morgantown (home of West Virginia University), then HW 43 and finally HW 40 - the latter was known as the 'National Road' which was completed in 1820 and connected Cumberland, Maryland and Wheeling, Virginia (at that time); along the National Road is Ft. Necessity park and also close by the road that leads to Fallingwater.

George Washington in the early 1750s (he was 21 y/o, born in 1732) was sent as a Virginia militia officer by the colonial governor to investigate French and Indian activities in the Ohio River valley - his main objective as to reach the 'forks' of the Ohio (location of present day Pittsburgh), but the French had already constructed a fort (Ft. Duquense), so he built a rather modest structure named Ft. Necessity, which has been re-constructed on the park site - a battle occurred which was the 'match' that lit the powder keg leading to the French & Indian War on the American continent (called the Seven Years War in Europe) - quote below from Ft. Necessity National Battlefield, for those interested in more details.

In 1755, the British sent Major General Edward Braddock w/ Washington on his officer staff to the Ohio 'forks' to capture the French fort - his campaign was a disaster w/ a major battle in July of that year; Braddock was killed and his troops surrendered (more information HERE); the 'real' war started the next year - early in that war, the French abandoned and burned Ft. Duquense while the British were advancing toward the fort - a new one was built and named Ft. Pitt (after the British Prime Minister then) - hence the name Pittsburgh.

The second map shows the geographic relationship of the two forts discussed - Braddock's Road is now a part of HW 40 and his Monument/Tomb is located there not far from the battlefield park. Also added is a pic from the Mt. Vernon Museum (a worthwhile visit!) showing Washington at 19 y/o when a surveyor of the now Western Virginia & Ohio River Valley areas, which he knew quite well and a copy of a painting of him in his colonial officer's uniform in the 1750s (kind of different from the usual 'powdered wig' images) - Dave

The battle at Fort Necessity in the summer of 1754 was the opening action of the French and Indian War. This war was a clash of British, French and American Indian cultures. It ended with the removal of French power from North America. The stage was set for the American Revolution.

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[giradman]

Battle of Gettysburg Started July 1, 1863

Boy, I've not posted here in a month (i.e. missed D-Day, but probably in the back pages of the thread) - on this day in 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg started and would last 3 days becoming the deadliest battle in the American Civil War - quote below from my travelogue on a LOT of Civil War battlefields on a trip we took in 2015 - HERE.

Abraham Lincoln had a good 4th of July that year, i.e. Robert E. Lee retreated from southern Pennsylvania back into Virginia and Grant captured Vicksburg - Grant was brought east and made a Lieutenant General (rank last held by George Washington) and would be up against Lee until the latter's surrender at Appomattox in April 1865 - if interested go to my travelogue for a LOT more. Dave

Gettysburg National Military Park - Visitor's Center

The Gettysburg Battle took place over three days, July 1-3, 1863 - your tour should start at the magnificent new Visitor's Center (couple of pics below) - touring the battlefield on your own is 'free' but there are paid options not to be avoided - on this visit (my second after about 20 years or so), we bought a 'package' which included seeing the movie (narrated by Morgan Freeman), visiting the museum w/ some wonderful interactive exhibits & films, and viewing the cycloramic painting (also pics below); in addition, our purchase also included a 2-hour bus tour of the battlefield which covered all three days of the battle given by an experienced licensed guide.

The Gettysburg Park Website provides plenty of useful information - the Gettysburg Cyclorama was painted by French artist Paul Philippoteaux in 1883 and centers on the last day of the battle - brief description quoted below from the park link; a 5-year restoration was done before mounting in its new location - the colors are quite brilliant - the size of the work is best appreciated 'live' or by the last image below showing people working on the artwork.

The guide on our bus tour was superb, actually as much acting as presentation - see the second quote below (again from the park link above) - these guides know much, are tested, and the one we had was just thoroughly enjoyable - SO, now onto the battle which I'll post for each day of the confrontation! - Dave

The Gettysburg Cyclorama is a 360-degree oil on canvas painting 377 feet long by 42 feet high that depicts the full fury of “Pickett’s Charge”. This unique painting, first shown in Boston in 1884 before coming to Gettysburg in 1913, is now featured in its own specially designed hall in the Museum and Visitor Center. Viewing the cyclorama program is included in the entry fee to the museum galleries and film.

The Licensed Battlefield Guides at Gettysburg National Military Park are a unique service. Guides are individuals who have proven their abilities and knowledge through a series of written and oral exams before they are licensed by the National Park Service. The written test for new guides is usually given once every other year. Those who score the highest on the exams are invited back to give an oral test of their knowledge in a supervised tour of the park with other guides and National Park Service personnel. Dates for the written test will be announced as the need arises to fill spaces in the guide force.

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[scifan57]

July 2, 1776;

Congress votes for independence.
The Continental Congress formally adopted Richard Henry Lee's resolution for independence from Great Britain. The vote is unanimous, with only New York abstaining.
Why July 2 is really America’s independence day
Declaration of Independence Full Text, US Independence Day Facts | Constitution Facts
Some people think that Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2.

 

[giradman]

July 2, 1776;
Congress votes for independence.
The Continental Congress formally adopted Richard Henry Lee's resolution for independence from Great Britain. The vote is unanimous, with only New York abstaining.
Why July 2 is really America’s independence day
Declaration of Independence Full Text, US Independence Day Facts | Constitution Facts
Some people think that Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2.

Yep - a lot of discrepant dates around that period of time and the events mentioned in the links - over the years, I've read a lot of books on the American Revolution and the important persons involve and that topic is always discussed - don't see the USA changing that day. Plus, the celebration of holidays here is also interesting, i.e. some are the same date every year w/o considering a Monday off, like July 4th and others are celebrated on a Monday for a longer weekend. Dave

 

[scifan57]

Yep - a lot of discrepant dates around that period of time and the events mentioned in the links - over the years, I've read a lot of books on the American Revolution and the important persons involve and that topic is always discussed - don't see the USA changing that day. Plus, the celebration of holidays here is also interesting, i.e. some are the same date every year w/o considering a Monday off, like July 4th and others are celebrated on a Monday for a longer weekend. Dave

During a naval port visit to Vancouver, Washington in 1983, July 1st was on Friday and July 4th was on Monday so we ended up with a four day weekend .

 

[giradman]

July 4, 1776 - Independence Day in the United States

Tonight after our cookout (lamb burgers + homemade potato salad), we will likely watch the film 1776 - made in 1972 (believe that I've gone through VHS -> DVD -> BD) - the BD restoration is excellent (check HERE, if interested), especially the sound track - cast shown below - not a perfect story line and songs not too memorable, but we enjoy the movie and the characters (love Howard Da Silva as Franklin). Dave
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[giradman]

U.S. Postal System Established Today in 1775 - Benjamin Franklin First Postmaster General

The United States Postal System was established today in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin (a truly remarkable character (see pic below) as the first Postmaster General. When I was growing up, stamps for first-class mail were 3 cents - inflation and other factors have made prices escalate - today the U.S. Post Office has severe financial obligations and debt due to a number of causes, such as declining mail volume and growing expenses (salaries, fuel costs, health and pension benefits) - as to the latter, more HERE, for those interested. Dave

On this day in 1775, the U.S. postal system is established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place the foundation for many aspects of today’s mail system. During early colonial times in the 1600s, few American colonists needed to send mail to each other. There were no post offices in the colonies, so mail was typically left at inns and taverns. In 1753, Benjamin Franklin, who had been postmaster of Philadelphia, became one of two joint postmasters general for the colonies. He made numerous improvements to the mail system, including setting up new, more efficient colonial routes and cutting delivery time in half between Philadelphia and New York by having the weekly mail wagon travel both day and night via relay teams. Franklin also debuted the first rate chart, which standardized delivery costs based on distance and weight. In 1774, the British fired Franklin from his postmaster job because of his revolutionary activities. However, the following year, he was appointed postmaster general of the United Colonies by the Continental Congress. Franklin held the job until late in 1776, when he was sent to France as a diplomat. He left a vastly improved mail system, with routes from Florida to Maine and regular service between the colonies and Britain. President George Washington appointed Samuel Osgood, a former Massachusetts congressman, as the first postmaster general of the American nation under the new U.S. constitution in 1789. At the time, there were approximately 75 post offices in the country. (Source)

Today, the United States has over 40,000 post offices and the postal service delivers 212 billion pieces of mail each year to over 144 million homes and businesses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The postal service is the nation’s largest civilian employer, with over 700,000 career workers, who handle more than 44 percent of the world’s cards and letters. The postal service is a not-for-profit, self-supporting agency that covers its expenses through postage (stamp use in the United States started in 1847) and related products. The postal service gets the mail delivered, rain or shine, using everything from planes to mules. However, it’s not cheap: The U.S. Postal Service says that when fuel costs go up by just one penny, its own costs rise by $8 million. (Source)

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[giradman]

USS Nautilus, First Nuclear Submarine, Travels Under North Pole This Day in 1958!

The World's first nuclear submarine, USS Nautilus, was commissioned in the fall of 1954 and ran under nuclear power in January, 1955. This day in 1958, the ship traveled under the North Pole. The submarine had a 25 year career, and can be seen at the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut (more information quoted below) - pics of the launching and the sub's location in Connecticut on the Long Island Sound - see map; now I've been to Mystic Seaport (day trip from Newport, RI - at a medical meeting there years ago), but not to Groton or New London (home of the US Coast Guard Academy). Dave
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On August 3, 1958, the U.S. nuclear submarine Nautilus accomplishes the first undersea voyage to the geographic North Pole. The world’s first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus dived at Point Barrow, Alaska, and traveled nearly 1,000 miles under the Arctic ice cap to reach the top of the world. The USS Nautilus was constructed under the direction of U.S. Navy Captain Hyman G. Rickover, a brilliant Russian-born engineer who joined the U.S. atomic program in 1946. In 1947, he was put in charge of the navy’s nuclear-propulsion program and began work on an atomic submarine. Regarded as a fanatic by his detractors, Rickover succeeded in developing and delivering the world’s first nuclear submarine years ahead of schedule. On January 21, 1954, first lady Mamie Eisenhower broke a bottle of champagne across its bow as it was launched into the Thames River at Groton, Connecticut. Commissioned on September 30, 1954, it first ran under nuclear power on the morning of January 17, 1955. (Source)

Much larger than the diesel-electric submarines that preceded it, the Nautilusstretched 319 feet and displaced 3,180 tons. It could remain submerged for almost unlimited periods because its atomic engine needed no air and only a very small quantity of nuclear fuel. The uranium-powered nuclear reactor produced steam that drove propulsion turbines, allowing the Nautilus to travel underwater at speeds in excess of 20 knots. After a career spanning 25 years and almost 500,000 miles steamed, the Nautilus was decommissioned on March 3, 1980. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1982, the world’s first nuclear submarine went on exhibit in 1986 as the Historic Ship Nautilus at the Submarine Force Museum in Groton, Connecticut.(Source)

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[giradman]

First Atom Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima this day by the Enola Gay!

Today in 1945, the first atom bomb was dropped on Japan w/ devastating results in quote below; a second bomb, code named “Fat Man”, was dropped three days later over Nagasaki, Japan. It is estimated that between 129,000- 246,000 people died, up to half of them in the first hour, as the results of these two bombs. By August 14, 1945, Japan had unconditionally surrendered (Source). Dave
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Above posted by me a year ago, BUT there is always something new to add. I'm currently reading the book below, Energy: A Human History, and coincidentally started the chapter today on the development of the atomic bomb (Manhattan Project) and the story of Admiral Hyman Rickover, who was the head of the USS Nautilus project, the first nuclear submarine (and a recent post of mine here) - then late in the afternoon on NPR, a 'radio diary' aired recorded by the last survivor of the 3 planes that flew over Hiroshima on the day the bomb was dropped; his name: Russell Gackenbach, who was a 22 y/o lieutenant and navigator on the mission - more HERE - click on the 'play icon' from the link to hear his comments. Dave

 

[scifan57]

August 7, 1947;

On this day the balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki completed a 4,300 mile journey from Peru to Raroia near Tahiti.
Kon-Tiki expedition - Wikipedia

 

[giradman]

August 7, 1947;

On this day the balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki completed a 4,300 mile journey from Peru to Raroia near Tahiti.
Kon-Tiki expedition - Wikipedia
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An exciting story - read Thor Heyerdahl's book in the early 1960s - and have seen a couple videos over the years on TV (do not own a DVD currently although a number are available on Amazon along w/ a Prime Video rental for those interested). Dave

 

[scifan57]

An exciting story - read Thor Heyerdahl's book in the early 1960s - and have seen a couple videos over the years on TV (do not own a DVD currently although a number are available on Amazon along w/ a Prime Video rental for those interested). Dave

The original Kon-Tiki documentary is available in iTunes.

 

[giradman]

The original Kon-Tiki documentary is available in iTunes.

Well, I'm better off w/ Amazon and my Roku device (prefer my 42" HDTV) - the original doc comes free w/ my Prime subscription (first pic) - there is also a longer 'documentary' at prices similar to iTunes (2nd pic) - I've seen both - information for those who have not watched these great Kon Tiki videos. Dave
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[giradman]

Aztec Capital Falls to Cortes on this day in 1521!

Tenochtitlan was the capital of the Aztec Empire which extended over a vast territory (see maps) and ruled over an estimated 5 million people. The island city was in Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico connected to the mainland by movable bridges and causeways, and was 3.1 x 5.2 miles in size with a population of about 200,000 inhabitants (although estimates vary) - canals connected the neighborhoods, markets, and central plaza - sort of a Venice of the New World.

Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador founded the town of Veracruz on the Gulf Coast, and the in 1519 moved his army and native allies toward the Aztec capital, where he was permitted to enter in November of that year; much occurred in the next two years (as described below) ending in a long siege beginning in the spring of 1521 - the citizens of Tenochtitlan were decimated by starvation, lack of water, and devastating diseases, such as smallpox and measles. The city finally fell this day and was then completely razed to the ground by Cortes and his men. Below are a variety of pics of what the capital may have looked like to observers of the time - we visited Mexico City back in the early 1970s; the present day Zocalo was built on the Aztec temple site, so nothing remains of this once beautiful city - the National Museum of Anthropology is a must visit if in the present city. Dave

P.S. During the Mexican American War (1846-48), General Winfield Scott followed virtually the same route as Cortes from Veracruz to Mexico City in 1847, eventually capturing the Mexican capital, and leading to Mexico's surrender; "When the Duke of Wellington, victor of Waterloo, learned that Scott had succeeded against alarming odds in capturing Mexico City, he proclaimed Scott "the greatest living general" (Source).

After a three-month siege, Spanish forces under Hernán Cortés capture Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec empire. Cortés’ men leveled the city and captured Cuauhtemoc, the Aztec emperor. Tenochtitlán was founded in 1325 A.D. by a wandering tribe of hunters and gatherers on islands in Lake Texcoco, near the present site of Mexico City. In only one century, this civilization grew into the Aztec empire, largely because of its advanced system of agriculture. The empire came to dominate central Mexico and by the ascendance of Montezuma II in 1502 had reached its greatest extent, extending as far south as perhaps modern-day Nicaragua. At the time, the empire was held together primarily by Aztec military strength, and Montezuma II set about establishing a bureaucracy, creating provinces that would pay tribute to the imperial capital of Tenochtitlán. The conquered peoples resented the Aztec demands for tribute and victims for the religious sacrifices, but the Aztec military kept rebellion at bay. (Source)

At Veracruz, Cortés trained his army, burned his ships, and learned of political strife in the Aztec empire, Cortés led his force into the Mexican interior. On the way to Tenochtitlán, he clashed with local Indians, but many of these people, including the nation of Tlaxcala, became his allies after learning of his plan to conquer their hated Aztec rulers. Hearing of the approach of Cortés, with his frightful horses and sophisticated weapons, Montezuma II tried to buy him off, but Cortés would not be dissuaded. On November 8, 1519, the Spaniards and their 1,000 Tlaxcaltec warriors were allowed to enter Tenochtitlán unopposed. Montezuma suspected them to be divine envoys of the god Quetzalcatl, who was prophesied to return from the east in a “One Reed” year, which was 1519 on the Aztec calendar. The Spaniards were greeted with great honor, and Cortés seized the opportunity, taking Montezuma hostage so that he might govern the empire through him. His mistress, Marina, was a great help in this endeavor and succeeded in convincing Montezuma to cooperate fully. (Source)

In the spring of 1520, Cortés learned of the arrival of a Spanish force from Cuba, led by Pánfilo Narvez and sent by Velázquez to deprive Cortés of his command. Cortés led his army out of Tenochtitlán to meet them, leaving behind a garrison of 80 Spaniards and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs to govern the city. Cortés defeated Narvez and enlisted Narvez’ army into his own. When he returned to Tenochtitlán in June, he found the garrison under siege from the Aztecs, who had rebelled after the subordinate whom Cortés left in command of the city massacred several Aztec chiefs, and the population on the brink of revolt. On June 30, under pressure and lacking food, Cortés and his men fought their way out of the capital at heavy cost. Known to the Spanish as La Noche Triste, or “the Night of Sadness,” many soldiers drowned in Lake Texcoco when the vessel carrying them and Aztec treasures hoarded by Cortés sank. Montezuma was killed in the fighting–in Aztec reports by the Spaniards, and in Spanish reports by an Aztec mob bitter at Montezuma’s subservience to Spanish rule. He was succeeded as emperor by his brother, Cuitláhuac. During the Spaniards’ retreat, they defeated a large Aztec army at Otumba and then rejoined their Tlaxcaltec allies. In May 1521, Cortés returned to Tenochtitlán, and after a three-month siege the city fell. This victory marked the fall of the Aztec empire. Cuauhtámoc, Cuitláhuac’s successor as emperor, was taken prisoner and later executed, and Cortés became the ruler of a vast Mexican empire. (Source)

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