History is a symphony of melodies

20 SEP 1797 The Continental Navy frigate Constitution is launched in Boston harbor.

1 SEP 1939 Three waves of Luftwaffe Ju 87 B "Stuka" dive bombers cross Germany's border with Poland at 0440, destroying most of the defenseless town of Wieluń. The sneak attack is the first combat action of Germany's invasion, which was preceded by a series of false flag operations intended to bolster support for a military campaign against its neighbor.

18 SEP 1947 The National Security Act of 1947 enacts sweeping reorganization of the Armed Forces and intelligence service structure. The act creates a National Military Establishment - renamed the Department of Defense in 1949 - with the Army, Navy, and Air Force now under a unified command. Also established is the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which provides military advice to the president and the new Cabinet position of Secretary of Defense.

1 SEP 1974 An SR-71 "Blackbird" flown by Air Force MAJ James V. Sullivan streaks from New York to London in 1 hour and 55 minutes, setting a record that still stands today. Despite having to slow down to take on fuel from a specially modified KC-135 tanker, the reconnaissance plane still averages a blistering Mach 2.27.

20 SEP 1984 The Iranian-supported terrorist group Hezbollah carries out a suicide car bomb attack on the U.S. Embassy Annex building in East Beirut, Lebanon.

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