BRIAN THOMAS

During World War II on this  day in 1945, about 30,000 United States
Marines landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima 
from the Imperial Japanese Army.  

William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. is 79-years-old today.

Singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive
Smokey Robinson was the founder and front man of the Motown
vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter
and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as
"The Five Chimes" until 1972 when he announced a retirement
from the group to focus on his role as Motown’s vice president,
but Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the
following year. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame in 1987.

MIKE GRACIA

During the Civil War on this day in 1862, about 14,000 Confederate soldiers surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Fort Donelson, TN.

Ulysses S. Grant (Hiram Ulysses Grant)
(April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885)

TIM MAGUIRE

On this day in 1964, The Beatles made the first of three record-
breaking appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show." 73 million
people watched the show. It was their American TV debut.

During World War II on this day in 1943, the battle of Guadalcanal
ended with an American victory over Japanese forces.

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Massachusetts, February 9, 1943. 

Some 60,000 Allies forces fought on the island between August 1942
and February 1943.

These Japanese prisoners were among those captured by American
forces on Guadalcanal Island. 

CARLATA BRADLEY

During World War II on this day in1943, the remainder of Nazi forces
from the Battle of Stalingrad surrendered to the Soviets. Stalingrad
has since been renamed Volgograd.

On this day in 1971, Idi Amin assumed power in Uganda after a coup
that ousted President Milton Obote.

Often portrayed as a “monster in disguise”, Idi Amin was the third President of Uganda.

CAMILLE
BOHANNON

On this day in 1777, the Battle of Princeton in New Jersey took place 
during the War of Independence. George Washington defeated the
British forces, led by Cornwallis. The Battle is the climax of a period known as the “10 Crucial Days.”

A 1784 portrait of Washington by Charles Willson
Peale depicting him at the Battle of Princeton.