On August 7, 1942, the U.S. 1st Marine Division began Operation Watchtower, the first U.S. offensive of the war, by landing on Guadalcanal, one of the Solomon Islands.

Weeks earlier, the Japanese landed on Guadalcanal Island and
began constructing an airfield there.

Although the invasion came as a complete surprise to the
Japanese (bad weather had grounded their scouting aircraft),
the landings on Florida, Tulagi, Gavutu and Tananbogo met
much initial opposition from the Japanese defenders.

But the Americans who landed on Guadalcanal met little
resistance—at least at first.

More than 11,000 Marines had landed, and 24 hours had passed,
before the Japanese manning the garrison there knew of the
attack.

According to the recommendation for his medal, he
“contributed materially to the defeat and virtually the
annihilation of a Japanese regiment.”

U.S. President George W. Bush ordered the start of war
against Iraq.

The 2003 Iraq War began on March 20, 2003, with "Operation
Iraqi Freedom," a U.S.-led coalition invasion launched primarily
to disarm Iraq of alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMDs),
end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, and liberate the
Iraqi people. The invasion followed claims that Iraq violated UN Resolution 1441.

SANDY KOZEL

Premiered on this day in New York in 1946.

Although it was nominated for five Academy Awards, including
Best Picture, It’s a Wonderful Life initially received mixed
reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office.

It’s a Wonderful Life is now considered to be one of the greatest
films of all time and among the best Christmas films. It was one
of Stewart’s favorite films.  

        
        
        
        
       

On this day in1877, the publication Scientific American
enthuses about Thomas Edison‘s new invention: the
phonograph, a way to record and play back sound.

Calling it a "wonderful invention," the article describes
the machine’s capability: "…whoever has spoken or
whoever may speak into the mouthpiece of the phonograph,
and whose words are recorded by it, has the assurance that
his speech may be reproduced audibly in his own tones long
after he himself has turned to dust.

On August 22, 1776, the British arrived at Long Island,
between Gravesend and New Utrecht, with “near
twenty four thousand men ready to land in a moment,”
according to one observer.       

General William Howe’s large army came to Long Island hoping
to capture New York City and gain control of the Hudson River,
a victory that would divide the rebellious colonies in half.

The Americans suffered 1,000 casualties to the British loss of
only 400 men during the fighting. Howe chose not to follow the
advice of his subordinates, however, and did not storm the
Patriot redoubts at Brooklyn Heights, where he could have
taken the Patriots’ military leadership prisoner and ended
the rebellion.