This Week in American History- The Battle of Midway

The Battle of Midway was one of the turning points in the Pacific in World War II. Japan's Navy was the strongest Navy at the time, but the United States wasn't far behind. The Japanese Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto recognized this and sought to destroy the United States Pacific Fleet before it became too mighty to defeat easily. Following Pearl Harbor, the Japanese enjoyed a string of quick victories, and were thinking that Midway was going to deliver a knockout punch. They were wrong in believing that, however. United States intelligence broke the Japanese Naval Code and learned of the Japanese Navy's scheme. Two U.S. attack fleets surprised the Japanese force and destroyed three heavy Japanese carriers and one heavy cruiser. The Japanese carrier, the Hiryu, was able to escape destruction and it attempted to overwhelm the U.S. task force by sending out all of its available aircraft. The Japanese air attack delivered damaging blows to the U.S. carrier, Yorktown, causing it to sink. The U.S. retaliated with dive-bombers from the U.S. carrier, Enterprise, that destroyed the Hiryu. The Hiryu sank the following morning. At the end of the battle, Japan had lost four carriers, a cruiser, 292 aircraft, and suffered about 2,500 casualties. The U.S. had only lost one carrier, one destroyer, 145 aircraft, and suffered approximately 300 casualties. The Japanese Navy was never as powerful after the Battle of Midway. The United States Navy, on the other hand, grew stronger and now was able to take the offensive in the Pacific theater.

Welcome to Ten Weeks of Summer!

This is an experimental blog. My daughter and I are the co-bloggers and we are learning together. The blog will (should!) get better with time as we become more familiar with technique and available technology. The original idea for this blog was borne of my frustration with the current state of knowledge (and respect) in America of/for "all things American." The American people, in general, seem to be too comfortable with the notion that we have much to be ashamed about. That idea begins with our so-called educators in the public school system, but is reinforced by popular culture and, sometimes, by a lack of conviction in the general adult population (parents). That lack of conviction, perhaps, comes from insufficient education - and we're right back to the so-called educators. This blog is, in part, an attempt to counter the idea that we are to blame for the ills of the world. This blog will, in a small way, point out the greatness of our nation.....the greatest, most powerful, most charitable, and most tolerant (sometimes to our own peril) country the world has EVER known. Each week we will celebrate six different aspects of American greatness. Mondays will focus on important events in American history; Tuesdays - Great American Heroes; Wednesdays - Great American Artists (including musicians); Thursdays - Great Moments in American sports; Fridays - Great American literature; Saturdays - Great American speeches. The sum total of the summer will be six top ten lists, all celebrating - unapologetically - the United States of America. Hopefully, you will all learn something from it and enjoy it. I know we will!