1941: The 99th Pursuit Squadron also known as the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-black unit of the Army Air Corp, is activated.
1945: While launching attacks on the Japanese Home Islands, the Essex class carrier U.S.S. Franklin (CV-13) is attacked by a Japanese diver bomber. Hit at the most vulnerable time, rearming and refueling of aircraft, the Franklin lost 724 men and was put out of action for the rest of the war. Due to this damage and despite being repaired, Franklin would never go to sea again.
1945: Adolf Hitler issues his Nero Decree ordering all industries, military installations, shops, transportation facilities and communications facilities in Germany be destroyed.
1979: The United States House of Representatives begins broadcasting its day-to-day business on C-SPAN.
1982: Argentinean forces land on South Georgia Island, initiating the Falklands War.
1987: Televangelist Jim Bakker resigns as head of the PTL Club due to a brewing sex scandal; he hands over control to Jerry Falwell.
2002: Operation Anaconda ends after killing 500 Taliban and al Qaeda fighters.
2003: Operation Iraqi Freedom is launched with an attempted decapitation strike on the Iraqi leadership.