In 1945, Lt. Audie Murphy is photographed after receiving his Medal of Honor for his actions 81 years ago today. 🇺🇸

Asked why he decided to take on an entire company of German infantry, he replied, “They were killing my friends.” 🪖

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Today in 1942, the first U.S. troops deployed to Europe in WWII arrive in Northern Ireland. The first down the gangplank is PFC Milburn Henke. “With all the attention I got, it looked as though the army’s plan was for me to win the war single-handed”

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German soldiers, father and son, near Ypres, reading a letter from their wife/mother. WW1, 1915.

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Audie Murphy, one of the most highly decorated American soldiers of World War II, photographed on June 2, 1945, in Salzburg, Austria.

He is shown wearing his Congressional Medal of Honor and Legion of Merit, having earned every U.S. Army combat award for valor, along with additional honors from France and Belgium for heroism.

Color by colourisedpieceofjake

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Today in 1944, the encircled city of Leningrad is finally relieved. More than a million Russians died in the nearly 900-day standoff, which began in August of 1941. Widespread famine, disease and continuous enemy bombardment made it history's deadliest siege.

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On this day in 1871, Paris surrenders to the Prussian army after a four month siege. It takes just three days of shelling by heavy Krupp guns to finally force an end to the long-running standoff.

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Today in 1671, the Welsh privateer Henry Morgan leads a buccaneer army against the city of Panama. The Spanish defenders burn the town rather than see it plundered. Although Morgan is arrested by English authorities to appease Madrid, he receives a hero's welcome in London.

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On this day in 1943, 58 American bombers from the 8th Air Force successfully strike the U-boat pens at Wilhelmshaven. It's the first bombing raid on Germany by the United States. Just three American planes are lost. Future raids will suffer far greater losses.

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On this day in 1945, Soviet troops liberate Auschwitz. During the five years the camp was operational, 1.1 million people were murdered there. One out of every six Jews killed in the Holocaust died at Auschwitz.

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On this day in 1863, Lincoln's War Department authorizes the raising of the all-Black 54th Massachusetts Infantry. Just 171 days later, the regiment will be in action in South Carolina.

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Five Leading Causes of Death for Soldiers in Napoleon’s Army

“Only about a 30 per cent of all fatalities occurred in combat.”

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🎭 A section of the seating in the Roman amphitheatre of ancient Tarraco (Tarragona, Spain). 2nd century CE.

📷 Photo by Mark Cartwright.

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👑 Bronze head from an over-life-sized statue of Augustus, found in the ancient Nubian site of Meroë in Sudan, 27 - 25 BCE. On display in the British Museum, London.

📷 Photo by Carole Raddato

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🔮 The Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal, Mexico. The Maya temple was first built in the 6th century CE, with additions made up to the 10th century CE.

📷 Photo by G Concha C.

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In January of 1945, a soldier of the 94th Infantry Division dashes through a shell-torn orchard in Germany. 🪖

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In January of 1945, Pvt. Robert Long examines the damaged engine & propeller of a 6th Armored Division liaison plane after it toppled over while making a landing at an air strip in Belgium. ✈️

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On this day in 1933, Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany. "We have the power," he announces. "Now our gigantic work begins."

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Today in 1945, a Soviet sub torpedoes the German ocean liner Wilhelm Gustloff in the Baltic Sea. An estimated 9,300 people (mostly refugees) drown. With six times as many dead as were lost on the Titanic, it remains history's deadliest ship sinking.

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Today in 1944, America's last battleship, the USS Missouri, is launched. Although already usurped by the aircraft carrier, the 'Mighty Mo' will serve in WW2, Korea & the 1991 Gulf War. Now a museum ship, her nine 16-inch guns could throw 12 tons of ordnance in a single broadside

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