81 years ago today, the Siege of Bastogne. All 7 roads leading to Bastogne are taken by German forces. 🪖

3,500 civilians, troops of the 101st Airborne Division & other attached units are completely surrounded, lacking winter gear, ammunition, food and medical supplies.🪂

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On this day in 1860, South Carolina becomes the first U.S. state to secede from the Union. The declaration of secession cites "an increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding states to the institution of slavery." Within 113 days, North and South will be at war.

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The Battle of Ortona — Inside the Canadian Army’s Bloody Christmas at ‘Little Stalingrad’

“The contest being fought in Italy caught the attention of Adolf Hitler. Desperate for even a Pyrrhic victory, he ordered that the town be held at all costs.”

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On this day in 1944, the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne is encircled by the German army. The "Screaming Eagles" will hold out for seven days before Patton's Third Army can blast open a corridor to lift the siege.

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Today in 1777, Washington's troops establish a winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. "A skeleton of an army... naked, starving, out of health, out of spirits." Here are 10 things you might not know about the Revolutionary War's toughest winter.

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Battle of the Bulge

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81 years ago today, the crew of a 105mm artillery piece belonging to the 9th Armored Division load and fire on enemy positions during a concentrated barrage near the border of Luxembourg. 🪖

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During the Battle of the Bulge, Pvt. Charles Preston of the 5th Infantry Division brushes snow from a M1917 Browning machine gun mounted on his jeep as his unit moves in against the German offensive. 🪖

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In December of 1944, a US 1st Army soldier mans an 81mm mortar while listening for fire direction on a field phone during the German Ardennes offensive. 🪖

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In December of 1944, paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division move out of Bastogne. 🪖

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81 years ago today, men of the 82nd Airborne’s 325th Glider Infantry Regiment move through the fog to their new position in the Ardennes. 🪖

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On this day in 1864, Savannah, Georgia falls to the Union army. The following day, General Sherman offers the city to President Lincoln as an early Christmas present.

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Today in 1944, General Anthony McAuliffe of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division gives a famously succinct reply to a German ultimatum demanding the surrender of Bastogne: "Nuts!"

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Eisenhower asks Patton when he could launch a counterattack on the enemy, "As soon as you're through with me." Patton said. "The Kraut has stuck his head in a meat grinder, and this time I've got hold of the handle!" 🇺🇸

Patton mobilized 3 divisions and moves them to Bastogne. 🪖

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Today in 1894, a Jewish officer in the French army by the name of Alfred Dreyfus is falsely convicted of treason for supposedly passing military secrets to Germany. A decade later, the revelation that he is in fact innocent rocks France and lays bare deep rooted antisemitism.

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In December of 1944, an American patrol moves in on a smoldering tank to check the status of its occupants in Belgium. 🪖

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In December of 1943, a machine gun crew of the 5th Army loads a pack mule with a machine gun & ammunition for the long trek up a mountain pass near Venafro, Italy. 🪖

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During the Battle of the Bulge, the Luftwaffe made an attempt to supply SS Kampfgruppe Peiper from the air. ✈️

Only about 10% of the dropped supplies, fuel, ammunition, food, landed in German-held territory, the rest was taken care of by grateful American soldiers.🇺🇸

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81 years ago today, General Anthony McAulliffe is formally asked to surrender by the Germans.

His reply: NUTS! 🇺🇸

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