On This Day

1st aerial bombing raid by an American unit, France

World War II (1939–1945) involved sustained strategic bombing of railways, harbours, cities, workers' and civilian housing, and industrial districts in enemy territory.

World War II (1939–1945) involved sustained strategic bombing of railways, harbours, cities, workers' and civilian housing, and industrial districts in enemy territory. Strategic bombing as a military strategy is distinct both from close air support of ground forces and from tactical air power. During World War II, many military strategists of air power believed that air forces could win major victories by attacking industrial and political infrastructure, rather than purely military targets. Strategic bombing often involved bombing areas inhabited by civilians, and some campaigns were deliberately designed to target civilian populations in order to terrorize them or to weaken their morale.

Historical Significance

World War II (1939–1945) involved sustained strategic bombing of railways, harbours, cities, workers' and civilian housing, and industrial districts in enemy territory.

Events Before

  1. Sculptor Auguste Rodin (76) weds Rose Beuret

    Sculptor Auguste Rodin (76) weds Rose Beuret

  2. First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [NS=Mar 3]

    First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [NS=Mar 3]

  3. First jazz records are recorded: "Dixie Jazz Band One Step" and "Livery Stable Blues" by the Original Dixieland Jass Ban

    First jazz records are recorded: "Dixie Jazz Band One Step" and "Livery Stable Blues" by the Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company in NYC

  4. First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [OS=Feb 18]

    First major strike of the Russian "February Revolution" starts at the giant Putilov factory in Petrograd [OS=Feb 18]

  5. First jazz record is released on a 78 by the Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company ("Dixie

    First jazz record is released on a 78 by the Original Dixieland Jass Band for the Victor Talking Machine Company ("Dixie Jazz Band One Step" on one side, "Livery Stable Blues" on the other)

Events After

  1. Battle of Jutland: British naval commander David Beatty is promoted to full admiral

    The Battle of Jutland (German: Skagerrakschlacht, lit. 'Battle of the Skagerrak') was a naval battle between Britain's Royal Navy Grand Fleet, under Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, and the Imperial German...

  2. J. D. Salinger is born

    J. D. Salinger, American author, known for american author, was born on 1919-01-01.

  3. German Workers' Party forms, precursor to the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi)

    The German Workers' Party (German: Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, DAP) was an obscure far-right political party established in the Weimar Republic after World War I.

  4. The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing the prohibition of alcohol, is ratified by a majority of US state

    The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing the prohibition of alcohol, is ratified by a majority of US states

  5. German theoretical physicist Physicist Albert Einstein (39) divorces Serbian physicist and mathematician Mileva Marić (4

    German theoretical physicist Physicist Albert Einstein (39) divorces Serbian physicist and mathematician Mileva Marić (43) after 16 years of marriage

More from the 1910s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on June 12, 1918?
World War II (1939–1945) involved sustained strategic bombing of railways, harbours, cities, workers' and civilian housing, and industrial districts in enemy territory. Strategic bombing as a military strategy is distinct both from close air support of ground forces and from tactical air power. During World War II, many military strategists of air power believed that air forces could win major victories by attacking industrial and political infrastructure, rather than purely military targets.
Why is 1st aerial bombing raid by an American unit, France significant?
World War II (1939–1945) involved sustained strategic bombing of railways, harbours, cities, workers' and civilian housing, and industrial districts in enemy territory.

Explore More