Today in History

American forces engage the North Koreans for the first time at Osan, South Korea.

The Japanese garrison on Numfoor, New Guinea, tries to counterattack but is soon beaten back by U.S. forces.

The Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in history, begins.

German troops reach the Dnieper River in the Soviet Union.

Marshal Henri Petain’s Vichy government breaks off diplomatic relations with Great Britain.

Georges Pompidou, Prime Minister of France (1968).

Andrew Beard is issued a patent for the rotary engine.

Jean Cocteau, French artist, writer and actor.

Andrew Ellicott Douglass, astronomer and archaeologist.

Federal troops occupy Vicksburg, Mississippi and distribute supplies to the citizens.

British naval forces bombard Dingai on Zhoushan Island in China and occupy it.

The German government begins curtailing freedom of the press after German Democrats advocate a revolt against Austrian rule.

U.S. troops under Jacob Brown defeat a superior British force at Chippewa, Canada.

P.T. Barnum, American showman.

A Spanish army repels the British during their attempt to retake Buenos Aires, Argentina.

David Farragut, U.S. admiral during the American Civil War.

The Declaration of Independence is first printed by John Dunlop in Philadelphia.

Sarah Siddons, Welsh actress.

Etienne de Silhouette, French minister of finance, artist.