#Sink the Shōhō

[aircraftcarrier4]

Wings of Valor: The Impact of USS Yorktown and USS Hornet in World War II

Aircraft Carrier

Aircraft carriers represent the pinnacle of naval engineering, serving as the backbone of modern naval power. These colossal ships, with their vast flight decks, function as mobile airbases, capable of deploying and recovering aircraft anywhere in the world. The concept of the aircraft carrier dates back to World War I, but it was during World War II that they came to dominate naval strategy. The ability to project air power across great distances, beyond the range of traditional naval guns, transformed the nature of naval warfare and made aircraft carriers indispensable assets.

Aircraft carriers are typically divided into several classes, each with specific capabilities and roles. They carry a wide array of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and support planes, which can conduct a variety of missions such as air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. The flexibility and power of aircraft carriers allow them to control vast areas of the ocean, support amphibious operations, and strike targets far inland, making them a versatile and crucial element of modern military operations.

USS Yorktown’s Aircraft

The USS Yorktown Aircraft (CV-5), a Yorktown-class aircraft carrier, played a pivotal role in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Commissioned in 1937, Yorktown was one of the three Yorktown-class carriers, alongside USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8). The Yorktown’s air wing was a formidable force, consisting of a mix of fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers that contributed significantly to Allied naval victories.

Initially, Yorktown's air group comprised Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters, Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, and Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bombers. Each of these aircraft had distinct roles and strengths. The F4F Wildcat, although not as agile as its Japanese counterpart, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, was rugged and heavily armed. The Dauntless dive bombers were renowned for their accuracy and effectiveness, playing crucial roles in several key battles. The TBD Devastator, though becoming obsolete by the early years of the war, was vital in the initial phases until replaced by the more advanced Grumman TBF Avenger.

In the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, Yorktown's aircraft were instrumental in damaging the Japanese light carrier Shōhō, marking a significant moment as the first naval battle where opposing ships never sighted each other, relying solely on aircraft. Later, at the Battle of Midway in June 1942, Yorktown’s air group played a decisive role in sinking four Japanese carriers. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the American carriers, including Yorktown, managed to turn the tide of the war in the Pacific with their superior tactics and brave pilots.

USS Hornet (CV-8)

The USS Hornet (CV-8), the seventh vessel to carry the name, is perhaps best remembered for its role in two critical events during World War II: the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway. Commissioned in October 1941, Hornet was one of the newest carriers in the U.S. Navy when the United States entered the war.

The Doolittle Raid on April 18, 1942, was a daring operation where Hornet carried sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, to strike Tokyo and other Japanese cities. This mission, the first air raid on the Japanese mainland, served as a significant psychological boost for the United States and a stark warning to Japan of the vulnerabilities within its own borders.

Hornet’s air wing at the time of Midway included Grumman F4F Wildcats, Douglas SBD Dauntlesses, and Douglas TBD Devastators. During the Battle of Midway, Hornet’s air group launched several attacks against the Japanese fleet. Although initial torpedo attacks by the Devastators were largely ineffective and suffered heavy losses, they played a crucial role in drawing Japanese fighter cover to low altitudes. This allowed dive bombers from Enterprise and Yorktown to exploit the opening and deliver fatal blows to the Japanese carriers, leading to a decisive American victory.

Despite its successes, Hornet's service was short-lived. On October 26, 1942, during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Hornet was heavily damaged by Japanese air attacks. After sustaining multiple hits from bombs and torpedoes, the ship was abandoned and later scuttled by American destroyers to prevent her capture, marking the end of her brief but impactful career.

USS Hornet (CV-12)

Following the loss of CV-8, the name Hornet was transferred to an Essex-class carrier, CV-12, which was commissioned in November 1943. This new Hornet continued the legacy of her predecessor, playing a significant role throughout the Pacific Theater and earning numerous battle stars for her service.

The air wing of CV-12 evolved over the course of the war, initially including Grumman F6F Hellcats, a superior fighter that replaced the Wildcats. The Hellcat was known for its speed, firepower, and durability, contributing significantly to Allied air superiority. The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver replaced the SBD Dauntless as the primary dive bomber, while the Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber proved its worth in various anti-ship and anti-submarine roles.

Hornet participated in key operations such as the Battle of the Philippine Sea, where American forces inflicted a devastating defeat on the Japanese navy, known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" due to the large number of Japanese aircraft shot down. Hornet also supported amphibious assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, providing crucial air support for ground forces and attacking enemy positions. In the final months of the war, Hornet’s aircraft conducted raids against the Japanese home islands, contributing to the overall Allied victory in the Pacific.

Conclusion

Aircraft carriers like the USS Yorktown and USS Hornet (CV-8 and CV-12) exemplify the strategic importance of naval aviation in modern warfare. These ships, with their powerful and versatile air wings, have shaped the outcomes of critical battles and demonstrated the ability to project power across vast distances. The legacy of these carriers, particularly their roles in pivotal World War II battles, underscores the transformative impact of carrier-based air power on naval strategy and the broader course of military history.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.7 (after 1930)

1930 – The 7.1 Mw  Salmas earthquake shakes northwestern Iran and southeastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Up to three-thousand people were killed. 1931 – The stand-off between criminal Francis Crowley and 300 members of the New York Police Department takes place in his fifth-floor apartment on West 91st Street, New York City. 1937 – Spanish Civil War: The German Condor Legion, equipped with Heinkel He 51 biplanes, arrives in Spain to assist Francisco Franco's forces. 1940 – World War II: The Norway Debate in the British House of Commons begins, and leads to the replacement of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain with Winston Churchill three days later. 1942 – World War II: During the Battle of the Coral Sea, United States Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attack and sink the Imperial Japanese Navy light aircraft carrier Shōhō; the battle marks the first time in naval history that two enemy fleets fight without visual contact between warring ships. 1945 – World War II: Last German U-boat attack of the war, two freighters are sunk off the Firth of Forth, Scotland. 1945 – World War II: Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel signs unconditional surrender terms at Reims, France, ending Germany's participation in the war. The document takes effect the next day. 1946 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (later renamed Sony) is founded. 1948 – The Council of Europe is founded during the Hague Congress. 1952 – The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer. 1954 – Indochina War: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends in a French defeat and a Viet Minh victory (the battle began on March 13). 1960 – Cold War: U-2 Crisis of 1960: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announces that his nation is holding American U-2 pilot Gary Powers. 1964 – Pacific Airlines Flight 773 is hijacked by Francisco Gonzales and crashes in Contra Costa County, California, killing 44. 1986 – Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits. 1991 – A fire and explosion occurs at a fireworks factory at Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, killing 26. 1992 – Michigan ratifies a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise. 1992 – Space Shuttle program: The Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its first mission, STS-49. 1992 – Three employees at a McDonald's Restaurant in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, are brutally murdered and a fourth permanently disabled after a botched robbery. It is the first "fast-food murder" in Canada. 1994 – Edvard Munch's painting The Scream is recovered undamaged after being stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in February. 1998 – Mercedes-Benz buys Chrysler for US$40 billion and forms DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history. 1999 – Pope John Paul II travels to Romania, becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism in 1054. 1999 – Kosovo War: Three Chinese citizens are killed and 20 wounded when a NATO aircraft inadvertently bombs the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. 1999 – In Guinea-Bissau, President João Bernardo Vieira is ousted in a military coup. 2000 – Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia. 2002 – An EgyptAir Boeing 737-500 crashes on approach to Tunis–Carthage International Airport, killing 14 people. 2002 – A China Northern Airlines MD-82 plunges into the Yellow Sea, killing 112 people. 2004 – American businessman Nick Berg is beheaded by Islamic militants. The act is recorded on videotape and released on the Internet.

[nebris]

The Battle of the Coral Sea, from 4 to 8 May 1942, was a major naval battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and naval and air forces of the United States and Australia. Taking place in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, the battle is historically significant as the first action in which aircraft carriers engaged each other and the first in which the opposing ships neither sighted nor fired directly upon one another.

In an attempt to strengthen their defensive position in the South Pacific, the Japanese decided to invade and occupy Port Moresby (in New Guinea) and Tulagi (in the southeastern Solomon Islands). The plan, Operation Mo, involved several major units of Japan's Combined Fleet. They included two fleet carriers and a light carrier to provide air cover for the invasion forces, under the overall command of Admiral Shigeyoshi Inoue.

The U.S. learned of the Japanese plan through signals intelligence and sent two U.S. Navy carrier task forces and a joint Australian-American cruiser force to oppose the offensive, under the overall command of U.S. Admiral Frank J. Fletcher.

On 3–4 May, Japanese forces successfully invaded and occupied Tulagi, although several of their supporting warships were sunk or damaged in surprise attacks by aircraft from the U.S. fleet carrier Yorktown. Now aware of the presence of enemy carriers in the area, the Japanese fleet carriers advanced towards the Coral Sea with the intention of locating and destroying the Allied naval forces. On the evening of 6 May, the two carrier forces came within 70 nmi (81 mi; 130 km) of each other, unbeknownst to anyone. On 7 May, both sides launched airstrikes. Each mistakenly believed they were attacking their opponent's fleet carriers, but were actually attacking other units, with the U.S. sinking the Japanese light carrier Shōhō and the Japanese sinking a U.S. destroyer and heavily damaging a fleet oiler, which was later scuttled. The next day, each side found and attacked the other's fleet carriers, with the Japanese fleet carrier Shōkaku damaged, the U.S. fleet carrier Lexington critically damaged and later scuttled, and the fleet carrier Yorktown damaged. With both sides having suffered heavy losses in aircraft and carriers damaged or sunk, the two forces disengaged and retired from the area. Because of the loss of carrier air cover, Inoue recalled the Port Moresby invasion fleet with the intention of trying again later.

Although a victory for the Japanese in terms of ships sunk, the battle would prove to be a strategic victory for the Allies in several ways. The battle marked the first time since the start of the war that a major Japanese advance had been checked by the Allies. More importantly, the Japanese fleet carriers Shōkaku and Zuikaku, the former damaged and the latter with a depleted aircraft complement, were unable to participate in the Battle of Midway the following month, but Yorktown participated on the Allied side, which made for rough parity in aircraft between the adversaries and contributed significantly to the U.S. victory. The severe losses in carriers at Midway prevented the Japanese from reattempting to invade Port Moresby by sea and helped prompt their ill-fated land offensive over the Kokoda Track. Two months later, the Allies took advantage of Japan's resulting strategic vulnerability in the South Pacific and launched the Guadalcanal Campaign. That and the New Guinea Campaign eventually broke Japanese defenses in the South Pacific and were significant contributors to Japan's ultimate surrender, marking the end of World War II.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Coral_Sea

[zerokiller1628]

An American 1,000 pound bomb detonates after hitting the Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 7th, 1942. Completely overwhelmed by the combined strike groups of two American fleet carriers, the light carrier was struck by no fewer than thirteen bombs and seven torpedoes. Shōhō sank later that day, becoming the first Japanese carrier to be sunk in the Second World War. The moment was forever marked in naval history by the words of USS Lexington's dive bomber commander Robert E. Dixon, who proclaimed enthusiastically after seeing the damage, "Scratch one flattop!" Today marks the 75th anniversary of Shōhō's sinking, but the battle was still far from over.

[aircraftcarrier4]

The Legacy of Air Power: A Historical Look at the USS Yorktown and USS Hornet

Aircraft Carrier

Aircraft carriers are a cornerstone of modern naval warfare, serving as floating air bases that enable projection of air power across vast distances. These formidable vessels are equipped with a full-length flight deck, capable of launching and recovering aircraft, thereby extending the reach of a nation's military force. The concept of the aircraft carrier emerged during World War I, but it was during World War II that these ships demonstrated their strategic importance. The ability to carry and deploy aircraft allowed navies to strike targets far beyond the range of their guns, revolutionizing naval tactics and warfare.

USS Yorktown’s Aircraft

The USS Yorktown Aircraft (CV-5) played a crucial role during World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater. Commissioned in 1937, Yorktown was one of the three Yorktown-class aircraft carriers, alongside USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Hornet (CV-8). The Yorktown's air wing was a diverse and powerful force, consisting of fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers.

Initially, Yorktown's air group included the Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters, Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers, and Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bombers. These aircraft were instrumental in several key battles. The F4F Wildcat, despite being outmatched by the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero in terms of maneuverability and speed, was known for its ruggedness and the effective tactics developed by its pilots. The SBD Dauntless, on the other hand, earned a stellar reputation for its accuracy and resilience, playing a pivotal role in sinking Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway. The TBD Devastator, while becoming outdated by the war's early years, still contributed significantly until it was replaced by the more advanced Grumman TBF Avenger.

During the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942, Yorktown's aircraft were instrumental in damaging the Japanese carrier Shōhō, which marked the first time in history that aircraft carriers engaged each other. Later, at the Battle of Midway in June 1942, Yorktown's air group, despite being heavily outnumbered, played a decisive role in sinking four Japanese carriers, turning the tide of the war in the Pacific.

USS Hornet (CV-8)

USS Hornet (CV-8), the seventh ship to bear the name, is perhaps best known for two significant contributions during World War II: the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway. Commissioned in October 1941, Hornet was one of the newest carriers in the U.S. Navy's fleet when America entered the war.

The Doolittle Raid on April 18, 1942, was a daring mission to bomb Tokyo and other Japanese cities in retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor. Hornet carried sixteen B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, to within striking distance of Japan. This audacious raid, while causing minimal physical damage, provided a significant psychological boost to American morale and demonstrated Japan's vulnerability to air attacks.

Hornet's air wing at the time of Midway included the same types of aircraft as Yorktown: the F4F Wildcat, SBD Dauntless, and TBD Devastator. In the Battle of Midway, Hornet's air group launched several attacks against the Japanese fleet. Although initial torpedo attacks by the Devastators suffered heavy losses and achieved little success, they inadvertently drew Japanese fighter cover to low altitudes. This allowed Dauntless dive bombers from Enterprise and Yorktown to exploit the opportunity and score devastating hits on Japanese carriers, leading to a critical American victory.

Despite these successes, Hornet's service was relatively short-lived. On October 26, 1942, during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Hornet was severely damaged by Japanese air attacks. After multiple hits from bombs and torpedoes, and an inability to save the ship, the crew was ordered to abandon Hornet. The carrier was later scuttled by American destroyers to prevent her capture, marking the end of her brief but impactful career.

USS Hornet (CV-12)

After the loss of CV-8, another Essex-class carrier was renamed USS Hornet (CV-12) in her honor. Commissioned in November 1943, this Hornet continued the legacy of her predecessor with distinction. CV-12 served throughout the Pacific Theater, participating in numerous operations and earning multiple battle stars.

Hornet's air wing evolved over the course of the war. Initially, it included the F6F Hellcat, a formidable fighter that replaced the Wildcat, providing a superior combination of speed, firepower, and maneuverability. The Hellcat was instrumental in achieving air superiority over Japanese forces. The SBD Dauntless remained a key component of the air group until it was gradually replaced by the more advanced Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bomber. The TBF Avenger torpedo bomber also formed a critical part of the air wing, proving effective in both anti-ship and anti-submarine roles.

During the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, often referred to as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," Hornet's air group played a crucial role in the overwhelming defeat of Japanese naval aviation. The battle showcased the dominance of American carrier-based aircraft and the effective coordination of fighter and bomber units.

Hornet also supported numerous island-hopping campaigns, including the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, providing vital air support for ground operations and attacking enemy shipping and installations. Her aircraft conducted strikes against the Japanese home islands in the final months of the war, contributing to the eventual Allied victory.

Conclusion

Aircraft carriers like the USS Yorktown and USS Hornet (CV-8 and CV-12) exemplify the strategic importance of naval aviation in modern warfare. These ships, with their powerful and versatile air wings, have shaped the outcomes of critical battles and demonstrated the ability to project power across vast distances. The legacy of these carriers, particularly their roles in pivotal World War II battles, underscores the transformative impact of carrier-based air power on naval strategy and the broader course of military history.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.7

351 – The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out after his arrival at Antioch. 558 – In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses, twenty years after its construction. Justinian I immediately orders that the dome be rebuilt. 1274 – In France, the Second Council of Lyon opens to regulate the election of the Pope. 1487 – The Siege of Málaga commences during the Spanish Reconquista. 1544 – The Burning of Edinburgh by an English army is the first action of the Rough Wooing. 1664 – Inaugural celebrations begin at Louis XIV of France's new Palace of Versailles. 1685 – Battle of Vrtijeljka between rebels and Ottoman forces. 1697 – Stockholm's royal castle (dating back to medieval times) is destroyed by fire. It is replaced in the 18th century by the current Royal Palace. 1718 – The city of New Orleans is founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. 1763 – Pontiac's War begins with Pontiac's attempt to seize Fort Detroit from the British. 1794 – French Revolution: Robespierre introduces the Cult of the Supreme Being in the National Convention as the new state religion of the French First Republic. 1824 – World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer's supervision. 1832 – Greece's independence is recognized by the Treaty of London. 1840 – The Great Natchez Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi killing 317 people. It is the second deadliest tornado in United States history. 1846 – The Cambridge Chronicle, America's oldest surviving weekly newspaper, is published for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 1864 – American Civil War: The Army of the Potomac, under General Ulysses S. Grant, breaks off from the Battle of the Wilderness and moves southwards. 1864 – The world's oldest surviving clipper ship, the City of Adelaide is launched by William Pile, Hay and Co. in Sunderland, England, for transporting passengers and goods between Britain and Australia. 1895 – In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector—a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day. 1915 – World War I: German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. Public reaction to the sinking turns many former pro-Germans in the United States against the German Empire. 1915 – The Republic of China accedes to 13 of the 21 Demands, extending the Empire of Japan's control over Manchuria and the Chinese economy. 1920 – Kyiv Offensive: Polish troops led by Józef Piłsudski and Edward Rydz-Śmigły and assisted by a symbolic Ukrainian force capture Kyiv only to be driven out by the Red Army counter-offensive a month later. 1920 – Treaty of Moscow: Soviet Russia recognizes the independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia only to invade the country six months later. 1930 – The 7.1 Mw  Salmas earthquake shakes northwestern Iran and southeastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Up to three-thousand people were killed. 1931 – The stand-off between criminal Francis Crowley and 300 members of the New York Police Department takes place in his fifth-floor apartment on West 91st Street, New York City. 1937 – Spanish Civil War: The German Condor Legion, equipped with Heinkel He 51 biplanes, arrives in Spain to assist Francisco Franco's forces. 1940 – World War II: The Norway Debate in the British House of Commons begins, and leads to the replacement of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain with Winston Churchill three days later. 1942 – World War II: During the Battle of the Coral Sea, United States Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attack and sink the Imperial Japanese Navy light aircraft carrier Shōhō; the battle marks the first time in naval history that two enemy fleets fight without visual contact between warring ships. 1945 – World War II: Last German U-boat attack of the war, two freighters are sunk off the Firth of Forth, Scotland. 1945 – World War II: General Alfred Jodl signs unconditional surrender terms at Reims, France, ending Germany's participation in the war. The document takes effect the next day. 1946 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (later renamed Sony) is founded. 1948 – The Council of Europe is founded during the Hague Congress. 1952 – The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer. 1954 – Indochina War: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends in a French defeat and a Viet Minh victory (the battle began on March 13). 1960 – Cold War: U-2 Crisis of 1960: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announces that his nation is holding American U-2 pilot Gary Powers. 1986 – Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits. 1992 – Michigan ratifies a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise. 1992 – Space Shuttle program: The Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its first mission, STS-49. 1992 – Three employees at a McDonald's Restaurant in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, are brutally murdered and a fourth permanently disabled after a botched robbery. It is the first "fast-food murder" in Canada. 1994 – Edvard Munch's painting The Scream is recovered undamaged after being stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in February. 1998 – Mercedes-Benz buys Chrysler for US$40 billion and forms DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history. 1999 – Pope John Paul II travels to Romania, becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism in 1054. 1999 – Kosovo War: Three Chinese citizens are killed and 20 wounded when a NATO aircraft apparently inadvertently bombs the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. 1999 – In Guinea-Bissau, President João Bernardo Vieira is ousted in a military coup. 2000 – Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia. 2002 – An EgyptAir Boeing 737-500 crashes on approach to Tunis–Carthage International Airport, killing 14 people. 2002 – A China Northern Airlines MD-82 plunges into the Yellow Sea, killing 112 people. 2004 – American businessman Nick Berg is beheaded by Islamic militants. The act is recorded on videotape and released on the Internet.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.7

351 – The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out after his arrival at Antioch. 558 – In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses, twenty years after its construction. Justinian I immediately orders that the dome be rebuilt. 1274 – In France, the Second Council of Lyon opens to regulate the election of the Pope. 1487 – The Siege of Málaga commences during the Spanish Reconquista. 1664 – Louis XIV of France begins construction of the Palace of Versailles. 1685 – Battle of Vrtijeljka between rebels and Ottoman forces. 1697 – Stockholm's royal castle (dating back to medieval times) is destroyed by fire. It is replaced in the 18th century by the current Royal Palace. 1718 – The city of New Orleans is founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. 1763 – Pontiac's War begins with Pontiac's attempt to seize Fort Detroit from the British. 1794 – French Revolution: Robespierre introduces the Cult of the Supreme Being in the National Convention as the new state religion of the French First Republic. 1824 – World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer's supervision. 1832 – Greece's independence is recognized by the Treaty of London. 1840 – The Great Natchez Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi killing 317 people. It is the second deadliest tornado in United States history. 1846 – The Cambridge Chronicle, America's oldest surviving weekly newspaper, is published for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 1864 – American Civil War: The Army of the Potomac, under General Ulysses S. Grant, breaks off from the Battle of the Wilderness and moves southwards. 1864 – The world's oldest surviving clipper ship, the City of Adelaide is launched by William Pile, Hay and Co. in Sunderland, England, for transporting passengers and goods between Britain and Australia. 1895 – In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector—a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day. 1915 – World War I: German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. Public reaction to the sinking turns many former pro-Germans in the United States against the German Empire. 1915 – The Republic of China accedes to 13 of the 21 Demands, extending the Empire of Japan's control over Manchuria and the Chinese economy. 1920 – Kiev Offensive: Polish troops led by Józef Piłsudski and Edward Rydz-Śmigły and assisted by a symbolic Ukrainian force capture Kiev only to be driven out by the Red Army counter-offensive a month later. 1920 – Treaty of Moscow: Soviet Russia recognizes the independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia only to invade the country six months later. 1930 – The 7.1 Mw  Salmas earthquake shakes northwestern Iran and southeastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Up to three-thousand people were killed. 1931 – The stand-off between criminal Francis Crowley and 300 members of the New York Police Department takes place in his fifth-floor apartment on West 91st Street, New York City. 1937 – Spanish Civil War: The German Condor Legion, equipped with Heinkel He 51 biplanes, arrives in Spain to assist Francisco Franco's forces. 1940 – World War II: The Norway Debate in the British House of Commons begins, and leads to the replacement of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain with Winston Churchill three days later. 1942 – World War II: During the Battle of the Coral Sea, United States Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attack and sink the Imperial Japanese Navy light aircraft carrier Shōhō; the battle marks the first time in naval history that two enemy fleets fight without visual contact between warring ships. 1945 – World War II: Last German U boat attack of the war, two freighters are sunk off the Firth of Forth, Scotland. 1945 – World War II: General Alfred Jodl signs unconditional surrender terms at Reims, France, ending Germany's participation in the war. The document takes effect the next day. 1946 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (later renamed Sony) is founded. 1948 – The Council of Europe is founded during the Hague Congress. 1952 – The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer. 1954 – Indochina War: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends in a French defeat and a Viet Minh victory (the battle began on March 13). 1960 – Cold War: U-2 Crisis of 1960: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announces that his nation is holding American U-2 pilot Gary Powers. 1976 – The Honda Accord is officially launched. 1986 – Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits. 1992 – Michigan ratifies a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise. 1992 – Space Shuttle program: The Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its first mission, STS-49. 1992 – Three employees at a McDonald's Restaurant in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, are brutally murdered and a fourth permanently disabled after a botched robbery. It is the first "fast-food murder" in Canada. 1994 – Edvard Munch's painting The Scream is recovered undamaged after being stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in February. 1998 – Mercedes-Benz buys Chrysler for US$40 billion and forms DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history. 1999 – Pope John Paul II travels to Romania, becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism in 1054. 1999 – Kosovo War: Three Chinese citizens are killed and 20 wounded when a NATO aircraft apparently inadvertently bombs the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. 1999 – In Guinea-Bissau, President João Bernardo Vieira is ousted in a military coup. 2000 – Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia. 2002 – An EgyptAir Boeing 737-500 crashes on approach to Tunis–Carthage International Airport, killing 14 people. 2002 – A China Northern Airlines MD-82 plunges into the Yellow Sea, killing 112 people. 2004 – American businessman Nick Berg is beheaded by Islamic militants. The act is recorded on videotape and released on the Internet.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.7

351 – The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out. After his arrival at Antioch, the Jews begin a rebellion in Palestine. 558 – In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses. Justinian I immediately orders that the dome be rebuilt. 1274 – In France, the Second Council of Lyon opens to regulate the election of the Pope. 1487 – The Siege of Málaga commences during the Spanish Reconquista. 1664 – Louis XIV of France begins construction of the Palace of Versailles. 1685 – Battle of Vrtijeljka between rebels and Ottoman forces. 1697 – Stockholm's royal castle (dating back to medieval times) is destroyed by fire. It is replaced in the 18th century by the current Royal Palace. 1718 – The city of New Orleans is founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. 1763 – Pontiac's War begins with Pontiac's attempt to seize Fort Detroit from the British. 1794 – French Revolution: Robespierre introduces the Cult of the Supreme Being in the National Convention as the new state religion of the French First Republic. 1824 – World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer's supervision. 1832 – Greece's independence is recognized by the Treaty of London. 1840 �� The Great Natchez Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi killing 317 people. It is the second deadliest tornado in United States history. 1846 – The Cambridge Chronicle, America's oldest surviving weekly newspaper, is published for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 1864 – American Civil War: The Army of the Potomac, under General Ulysses S. Grant, breaks off from the Battle of the Wilderness and moves southwards. 1864 – The world's oldest surviving clipper ship, the City of Adelaide is launched by William Pile, Hay and Co. in Sunderland, England, for transporting passengers and goods between Britain and Australia. 1895 – In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector—a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day. 1915 – World War I: German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. Public reaction to the sinking turns many former pro-Germans in the United States against the German Empire. 1915 – The Republic of China accedes to 13 of the 21 Demands, extending the Empire of Japan's control over Manchuria and the Chinese economy. 1920 – Kiev Offensive: Polish troops led by Józef Piłsudski and Edward Rydz-Śmigły and assisted by a symbolic Ukrainian force capture Kiev only to be driven out by the Red Army counter-offensive a month later. 1920 – Treaty of Moscow: Soviet Russia recognizes the independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia only to invade the country six months later. 1930 – The 7.1 Mw  Salmas earthquake shakes northwestern Iran and southeastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Up to three-thousand people were killed. 1931 – The stand-off between criminal Francis Crowley and 300 members of the New York Police Department takes place in his fifth-floor apartment on West 91st Street, New York City. 1937 – Spanish Civil War: The German Condor Legion, equipped with Heinkel He 51 biplanes, arrives in Spain to assist Francisco Franco's forces. 1940 – World War II: The Norway Debate in the British House of Commons begins, and leads to the replacement of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain with Winston Churchill three days later. 1942 – World War II: During the Battle of the Coral Sea, United States Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attack and sink the Imperial Japanese Navy light aircraft carrier Shōhō; the battle marks the first time in naval history that two enemy fleets fight without visual contact between warring ships. 1945 – World War II: General Alfred Jodl signs unconditional surrender terms at Reims, France, ending Germany's participation in the war. The document takes effect the next day. 1946 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (later renamed Sony) is founded. 1948 – The Council of Europe is founded during the Hague Congress. 1952 – The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer. 1954 – Indochina War: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends in a French defeat and a Vietnamese victory (the battle began on March 13). 1960 – Cold War: U-2 Crisis of 1960: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announces that his nation is holding American U-2 pilot Gary Powers. 1976 – The Honda Accord is officially launched. 1986 – Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits. 1992 – Michigan ratifies a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise. 1992 – Space Shuttle program: The Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its first mission, STS-49. 1992 – Three employees at a McDonald's Restaurant in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, are brutally murdered and a fourth permanently disabled after a botched robbery. It is the first "fast-food murder" in Canada. 1994 – Edvard Munch's painting The Scream is recovered undamaged after being stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in February. 1998 – Mercedes-Benz buys Chrysler for US$40 billion USD and forms DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history. 1999 – Pope John Paul II travels to Romania, becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism in 1054. 1999 – Kosovo War: Three Chinese citizens are killed and 20 wounded when a NATO aircraft apparently inadvertently bombs the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. 1999 – In Guinea-Bissau, President João Bernardo Vieira is ousted in a military coup. 2000 – Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia. 2002 – A China Northern Airlines MD-82 plunges into the Yellow Sea, killing 112 people. 2004 – American businessman Nick Berg is beheaded by Islamic militants. The act is recorded on videotape and released on the Internet.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.7

351 – The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out. After his arrival at Antioch, the Jews begin a rebellion in Palestine. 558 – In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses. Justinian I immediately orders that the dome be rebuilt. 1274 – In France, the Second Council of Lyon opens to regulate the election of the Pope. 1429 – Joan of Arc ends the Siege of Orléans, pulling an arrow from her own shoulder and returning, wounded, to lead the final charge. The victory marks a turning point in the Hundred Years' War. 1487 – The Siege of Málaga commences during the Spanish Reconquista. 1664 – Louis XIV of France begins construction of the Palace of Versailles. 1685 – Battle of Vrtijeljka between rebels and Ottoman forces. 1697 – Stockholm's royal castle (dating back to medieval times) is destroyed by fire. It is replaced in the 18th century by the current Royal Palace. 1718 – The city of New Orleans is founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. 1763 – Pontiac's War begins with Pontiac's attempt to seize Fort Detroit from the British. 1794 – French Revolution: Robespierre introduces the Cult of the Supreme Being in the National Convention as the new state religion of the French First Republic. 1824 – World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer's supervision. 1832 – Greece's independence is recognized by the Treaty of London. 1840 – The Great Natchez Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi killing 317 people. It is the second deadliest tornado in United States history. 1846 – The Cambridge Chronicle, America's oldest surviving weekly newspaper, is published for the first time in Cambridge, Massachusetts 1864 – American Civil War: The Army of the Potomac, under General Ulysses S. Grant, breaks off from the Battle of the Wilderness and moves southwards. 1864 – The world's oldest surviving clipper ship, the City of Adelaide is launched by William Pile, Hay and Co. in Sunderland, England, for transporting passengers and goods between Britain and Australia. 1895 – In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector — a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day. 1915 – World War I: German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. Public reaction to the sinking turns many formerly pro-Germans in the United States against the German Empire 1915 – Japanese 21 Demands Ultimatum to China (Commemorated as National Day of Humiliation) 1920 – Kiev Offensive: Polish troops led by Józef Piłsudski and Edward Rydz-Śmigły and assisted by a symbolic Ukrainian force capture Kiev only to be driven out by the Red Army counter-offensive a month later. 1920 – Treaty of Moscow: Soviet Russia recognizes the independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia only to invade the country six months later. 1920 – The Art Gallery of Ontario, in Toronto, opens the first exhibition by the Group of Seven. 1928 – The Jinan incident begins with Japanese forces killing the Chinese negotiating team in Jinan, China, and going on to kill over 2,000 Chinese civilians in the following days. 1930 – The 7.1 Mw Salmas earthquake shakes northwestern Iran and southeastern Turkey with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). Up to three-thousand people were killed. 1937 – Spanish Civil War: The German Condor Legion, equipped with Heinkel He 51 biplanes, arrives in Spain to assist Francisco Franco's forces. 1940 – The Norway Debate in the British House of Commons begins, and leads to the replacement of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain with Winston Churchill three days later. 1942 – During the Battle of the Coral Sea, United States Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attack and sink the Imperial Japanese Navy light aircraft carrier Shōhō; the battle marks the first time in the naval history that two enemy fleets fight without visual contact between warring ships. 1945 – World War II: General Alfred Jodl signs unconditional surrender terms at Reims, France, ending Germany's participation in the war. The document takes effect the next day. 1946 – Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering (later renamed Sony) is founded with around 20 employees. 1948 – The Council of Europe is founded during the Hague Congress. 1952 – The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer. 1954 – Indochina War: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends in a French defeat and a Vietnamese victory (the battle began on March 13). 1960 – Cold War: U-2 Crisis of 1960: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev announces that his nation is holding American U-2 pilot Gary Powers. 1976 – Honda Accord officially launched. 1986 – Canadian Patrick Morrow becomes the first person to climb each of the Seven Summits. 1992 – Michigan ratifies a 203-year-old proposed amendment to the United States Constitution making the 27th Amendment law. This amendment bars the U.S. Congress from giving itself a mid-term pay raise. 1992 – The Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its first mission, STS-49. 1992 – Three employees at a McDonald's Restaurant in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, are brutally murdered and a fourth permanently disabled after a botched robbery. It is the first "fast-food murder" in Canada. 1994 – Edvard Munch's iconic painting The Scream is recovered undamaged after being stolen from the National Gallery of Norway in February. 1998 – Mercedes-Benz buys Chrysler for US$40 billion USD and forms DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history. 1999 – Pope John Paul II travels to Romania becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism in 1054. 1999 – Kosovo War: Three Chinese citizens are killed and 20 wounded when a NATO aircraft apparently inadvertently bombs the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. 1999 – In Guinea-Bissau, President João Bernardo Vieira is ousted in a military coup. 2000 – Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia. 2002 – A China Northern Airlines MD-82 plunges into the Yellow Sea, killing 112 people. 2004 – American businessman Nick Berg, is beheaded by Islamic militants. The act is recorded on videotape and released on the Internet. 2007 – Israeli archaeologists discover the tomb of Herod the Great south of Jerusalem. 2009 – Over 100 New Zealand police officers begin a 40-hour siege of a lone gunman in Napier.