Today in military history: Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier
On Oct 14. 1947, U.S. Air Force Captain Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. A celebrated World War II pilot, Chuck Yeager was chosen to fly the X-1, a rocket…
Today in military history: Continental Congress authorizes first naval force
On Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to create the Continental Navy, the precursor to the United States Navy. Congress authorized the purchase of two vessels, the…
Today in military history: USS Cole attacked by terrorists
On Oct. 12, 2000, the USS Cole was attacked by terrorists. It was the deadliest attack against a U.S. vessel since 1987. The USS Cole was refueling at Aden, Yemen,…
Today in military history: Boer War begins in South Africa
On Oct. 11, 1899, the Second Boer War began. When the British Empire started to colonize the region, it was met with resistance from the descendants of the original Dutch…
Today in military history: Birth of the Naval Academy
On Oct. 10, 1845, the United States Naval Academy was established in Annapolis, Maryland. The United States Navy was created during the American Revolution to match the mighty Royal naval…
Today in military history: US forces capture British ships on Lake Erie
On Oct. 9, 1812, American naval forces captured two British vessels on Lake Erie. The HMS Detroit served on Lake Erie during the War of 1812, which, along with the…
Today in military history: Alvin York captures 132 Germans at Argonne
On Oct. 8, 1918, U.S. Corporal Alvin York was credited with killing 20 German soldiers and leading the capture of one hundred and thirty two more during the Meuse-Argonne offensive….
Today in military history: US-led attack on Afghanistan begins
On Oct. 6, 2001, a US-led coalition struck Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in response to the Sep. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the United States. Known as Operation Enduring Freedom, the invasion…
Today in military history: Yom Kippur War begins
On Oct. 6, 1973, the Yom Kippur War began as Egyptian and Syrian forces attacked Israel on the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Six years earlier, during the Six-Day…
Today in military history: Tecumseh defeated in War of 1812
On Oct. 5, 1813, American general and future president William Henry Harrison defeated a combined British and Indian force at the Battle of the Thames. During the War of 1812,…