Bonhomme Richard beats the Serapis.

American spy Nathan Hale was hanged by the British on this day in 1776. Sent by George Washington behind British lines to determine where the British would attack Manhattan, Hale was recognized by the famous Robert Rogers in a tavern. Hale was hanged near 66th Street and Third Avenue, and his last words were. “I regret that I have but … Read More

Lincoln revealed the Emancipation Proclamation on this day in 1862, stating that slaves in rebellious states as of January 1, would be “forever free”. Robert Gould Shaw, (later of the Massachusetts 54th dramatized in the film “Glory”), wrote, so the ‘Proclamation of Emancipation’ has come at last, or rather, its forerunner…. I suppose you all are very much excited about … Read More

John Towle jumped into the crossfire at Nijmegen Bridge during Operation: Market Garden, to fire his rocket launcher at German tanks, causing them to withdraw, and a fortified house, killing nine enemy. He was killed by a mortar round moments later, and he received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Tell his story and remember his courage

Captain Everett Pope led his company in a fierce night long defense against ferocious Japanese counter-attacks, earning the Medal of Honor. Honor and remember Everett Pope.

Paratrooper Joe Mann earned the Medal of Honor posthumously during Operation Market Garden, when he single-handedly destroyed a German gun emplacement, was wounded but stayed on the line, and then smothered a potato masher grenade the next morning to save his buddies’ lives. Honor and remember Joe Mann! 

Charles Roan earned the Medal of Honor posthumously on Peleliu when, though wounded already, he threw himself on a grenade to save the lives of his fellow Marines. Honor and remember him!

Arthur Jackson single-handedly destroyed 12 Japanese pillboxes and killed 50 enemy troops on Peleliu, earning the Medal of Honor. He had fought on Cape Gloucester and later served as a platoon sergeant in the Okinawa campaign.

39 delegates from 12 states signed the US Constitution. Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer and Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest. Alexander Hamilton and James Madision also signed. 

The Mayflower set sail from England with 130 souls aboard, 102 of which were Pilgrims bound to create a holy community in the new world. Already low on food and other provisions because of departure delays, the Mayflower had a rough and dangerous journey ahead.