This Week in American History

Here is what happened this week in American History.

• July 16. On this day in 2015, it is about 10:30 am in Chattanooga, TN, and the Armed Forces Career Center located in a strip mall along Lee Highway is open for business with seven military staff inside. In the office are recruiters for the US Army, US Air Force and Tennessee National Guard. Suddenly gunshots ring out as Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez fires into the recruiting center, wounding a Marine before fleeing the scene. Officers of the Chattanooga Police Department chase Abdulazeez for about seven miles. Abdulazeez rams his car through a security gate at the US Navy Reserve center on Amnicola Highway. From there he drives to one of the buildings and runs inside, shooting as he does and fatally wounding a US Navy sailor. Abdulazeez runs out the back door of the building and into a motor pool area where he shoots several more Marines. Abdulazeez will be shot and killing by pursuing police officers. Five military personnel are killed and one injured in the shooting. A native of Kuwait, Abdulazeez was raised in a strict Muslim lifestyle.

• July 17. In 1951, while armistice negotiations continue in an effort to end the Korean War, the Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army and North Korean Peoples Army continue attacking South Korean, UN and US forces. As a result, the US resumes large scale bombing missions in North Korea.

• July 18. Today in 1954, country music star and singer-songwriter Ricky Skaggs is born in Cordell, Kentucky. At only five years old, Skaggs is given a mandolin by his father and at six performs on stage with Bill Monroe, known as the “Father of Bluegrass”. A year later and Skaggs performs with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs on television. Now 71, Skaggs has enjoyed an incredible career performing in the genres of Bluegrass, Country, Gospel and Folk. He is equally adept at playing the mandolin, guitar, banjo, and fiddle. To date, he remains active.

• July 19. On this day in 1981, French President Francois Mitterrand provides US President Ronald Reagan with proof of the existence of the Farewell Dossier, documents that prove the Soviet Union had been stealing American technological research and development. Of course this was proof of what was already known to be happening.

• July 20. In 1776, the Battle of Island Flats takes place. Also known as Battle at Long Island of the Holston and Battle of Eaton’s Station, this was the first battle after America’s Declaration of Independence had been announced and took place near Kingsport, Tennessee. The battle was both a part of the Cherokee-American wars and the Revolutionary War that had the regional Patriot militia fighting the Cherokee forces in the area. At the time, those Cherokee forces were aligned with the British. With about 190 braves, the Cherokee were led by Dragging Canoe, Oconostota and The Raven, conducting a three-pronged attack on the settlements at Eaton’s Station and Carter’s Valley, and Fort Watauga. The battle-hardened Frontier militia with about 160 soldiers received warning about the Cherokee plans and were ready. The Cherokee were driven away and resorted to attacks against the settlements. The Frontier and state militia retaliated, attacking the Cherokee, destroying their villages and crops. American forces suffered four killed while the Cherokee suffered 13 killed and some wounded including Dragging Canoe. Though the first battle after the Declaration of Independence had been adopted, it was not the first battle of the revolution. A year earlier, in June, Congress had created the Continental Army and named George Washington as the commanding general. Three days later, the Battle of Bunker Hill takes place during the siege of Boston at Charlestown, Massachusetts. The British had enjoyed a victory that was incredibly costly for both sides. Those early American soldiers suffered 138 killed, over 300 wounded and 30 captured while the British suffered 226 killed and 828 wounded.

• July 21. Today in 2024, President Joe Biden ends his re-election campaign. This action came after a disastrous debate performance against then-challenger Donald Trump as Biden’s lack of mental acuity was painfully apparent. Under pressure from his party, Biden endorsed then-Vice President Kamala Harris, but that did little good as she would lose badly in the Presidential Election.

• July 22. On this day in 1796, an area in what will become Ohio is being surveyed by the Connecticut Land Company. The superintendent of the surveyors is Gen. Moses Cleaveland who had served as Brigadier General of the Connecticut militia during the Revolutionary War. An area is named for Cleaveland, though it is spelled Cleveland, and becomes Cleveland, Ohio. A statue of Cleaveland can be found in the Cleveland Public Square.