U.S. Navy Archives – UNTO THE BREACH

August 8 in U.S. military history

1863: Following his defeat at Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee sends a letter of resignation to Confederate president Jefferson Davis.

1763: With Ottawa chief Pontiac laying siege to Fort Pitt (modern-day Pittsburgh), a force marches to the frontier fort to

1777: A month after arriving in the United States, the Marquis de Lafayette is commissioned “major general” in the Continental

1897: A crowd of over 10,000 greets the black soldiers of the 25th Infantry Regiment’s “Bicycle Corps” (featured image) as

55 years ago on this day astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla.