On this day in 1911 the American military received a significant boost in sidearm firepower! As the year may telegraph, it was on 29 March 1911 that the “Model of 1911” was formally adopted by the Army. It beat a field of 5 other pistols, with its closest competitor being the Savage 1907, also chambered in 45 ACP

On this date in 1941 the Lend-Lease Act was signed into law. This program was designed to support Allied Nations in their fight against the Axis. While it was still 9 months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States had (arguably) ended its official neutrality and threw the “Arsenal of Democracy” behind the Allies

On this day in history in 1945 elements of the U.S. Army began to flow across the recently captured Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine. American forces unexpectedly captured the still standing (but badly damaged) bridge after defending German forces failed to destroy it. The bridge stood for 10 days after its capture, and it and the surrounding area was subjected to artillery barrages, V-2 rocket attacks, aerial bombardment, Nazi “Frogmen”, and conventional ground attack. The bridge helped deliver six divisions of Soldiers and equipment across the river, and likely helped shorten the war, with victory in Europe being declared only two months later.

Happy (Texas) Independence Day! On March 2nd 1836 the Republic of Texas declared its independence from Mexico. It remained an independent nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845, becoming the 28th state