Battle of the Coral Sea Begins
On May 4, 1942, the World War II Battle of the Coral Sea began. It was the first fight between aircraft carriers; in fact, the ships weren’t even in sight of each other.
World War II
Formation of Tuskegee Airmen
On March 19, 1941, the War Department ordered the creation of the the 99th Pursuit Squadron, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
U.S. Coast Guard Established
On January 28, 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service and United States Life-Saving Service were merged to form the US Coast Guard.
Death of Acclaimed Illustrator Norman Rockwell
On November 8, 1978, the world lost one of its most prolific artists – Norman Rockwell.
FDR Elected to Record Fourth Term
On November 7, 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first and only U.S. President elected to a fourth term.
Battle of Britain Ends
On October 31, 1940, the nearly four-month-long Battle of Britain came to an end.
First Flight of the B-17 Flying Fortress
On July 28, 1935, Boeing’s Model 299, as it was called at the time, embarked on its first flight from a Seattle airfield. The plane would go on to be one of the most famous used during World War II.
First Women Inducted into the U.S. Air Force
Staff Sergeant Esther McGowin Blake raised her right hand and enlisted in the first minute women were allowed to join the U.S. Air Force on July 8, 1948. In doing so, she paved the way for a new generation of women’s military service.