July 21st, 2008

July 21st in History

2004:
The United Kingdom government publishes Delivering Security in a Changing World, a paper detailing wide-ranging reform of the country's armed forces.

1997:
The fully restored USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides") celebrates her 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years.

1961:
Mercury program: Gus Grissom piloting the Mercury 4 capsule "Liberty Bell 7" becomes the second American to go into space (in a suborbital mission).

1954:
First Indochina War: The Geneva Conference partitions Vietnam into North Vietnam and South Vietnam.

1944:
American troops land on Guam starting the battle (ends on August 10).