In Russia, the February Revolution (known as such because of
Russia’s use of the Julian calendar) began on March 8, 1917
when riots and strikes over the scarcity of food erupt in
Petrograd. One week later, centuries of czarist rule in Russia
ended with the abdication of Nicholas II, and Russia took a
dramatic step closer toward communist revolution.

By 1917, most Russians had lost faith in the leadership ability
of the czarist regime. Government corruption was rampant, the
Russian economy remained backward, and Nicholas repeatedly dissolved the Duma, the Russian parliament established after
the Revolution of 1905, when it opposed his will. However, the
immediate cause of the February Revolution—the first phase of
the Russian Revolution of 1917—was Russia’s disastrous
involvement in World War I.

February 23, 1945: During the bloody Battle for Iwo Jima, U.S.
Marines from the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th
Regiment of the 5th Division took the crest of Mount Suribachi,
the island’s highest peak and most strategic position, and raised
the U.S. flag. Marine photographer Louis Lowery was with them
and recorded the event.

Americans fighting for control of Suribachi’s slopes cheered the
raising of the flag, and several hours later more Marines headed
up to the crest with a larger flag. Joe Rosenthal, a photographer
with the Associated Press, met them along the way and recorded
the raising of the second flag along with a Marine  photographer
and a motion-picture cameraman.

Louis R. Lowery
(July 24, 1916 – April 15, 1987)

The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the
United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services. Initially formed as a part of the United States Army on 1
August 1907, the USAF was established as a separate branch of the
U.S. Armed Forces on 18 September 1947 with the passing of the National Security Act of 1947. It is the second youngest branch of
the U.S. Armed Forces and the fourth in order of precedence.

The NFL will honor the 75th anniversary of the United States Air
Force before the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams
take the field at SoFi Stadium Sunday when five elite pilots take
part in a pregame flyover during the closing notes of the national anthem. 

On February 8, 1943, Japanese troops evacuated Guadalcanal,
leaving the island in Allied possession after a prolonged campaign.

The American victory paved the way for other Allied wins in the
Solomon Islands.

Guadalcanal is the largest of the Solomons, a group of 992 islands
and atolls, 347 of which are inhabited, in the South Pacific Ocean.

"Guadalcanal" Painting by Keinichi Nakamura 1943.

Edward Donald Slovik (February 18, 1920 – January 31, 1945)

On this day, Pvt. Eddie Slovik becomes the first American soldier
since the Civil War to be executed for desertion-and the only one
who suffered such a fate during World War II.

Although over 21,000 American soldiers were given varying
sentences for desertion during the war, including 49 death
sentences, Slovik’s death sentence was the only one that was
carried out.