Today's American Minute

Battle of Midway - A Turning Point in the Pacific during World War II; & Courageous Aviators: Waldron, McClusky, Best, O'Hare, Boyington, Zamperini, DeShazer - American Minute with Bill Federer

June 05, 2023

The U.S. Navy did not get diverted because American code-breakers were able to decipher Imperial Japan's real plans to capture Midway Island, then Hawaii and the rest of the Pacific ... Navigating by guess and by God, and running low on fuel, Squadron Commander C. Wade McClusky, Jr. decided to continue the search.

Through a break in the clouds, they providentially spotted the wake of the Japanese destroyers and followed it to find the Japanese aircraft carriers: Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu.

Israel's Six Day War, the U.S. support of Israel & "land for peace" empty promises - American Minute with Bill Federer

June 05, 2023 • Israel's Six Day War • the U.S. support of Israel & "land for peace" empty promises

Israeli Commander Motta Gur told his brigade upon their recapture of Jerusalem’s Old City: “For some two thousand years the Temple Mount was forbidden to the Jews. Until you came — you, the paratroopers — and returned it to the bosom of the nation. The Western Wall, for which every heart beats, is ours once again.

Jefferson & The Barbary Pirate Wars with Morocco, Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli - American Minute with Bill Federer

June 03, 2023 • Algiers • Jefferson & The Barbary Pirate Wars with Morocco • Tunis & Tripoli

Immediately after Jefferson became President in 1801, Barbary pirates demanded $225,000, plus an annual tribute of $25,000. When Jefferson refused, the Pasha (Lord) of Tripoli declared war -- the first war the U.S. was in after becoming a nation. Jefferson sent U.S. frigates to the Mediterranean to protect American shipping.

Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, Mountain Men of the Rockies, & fate of Buffalo and Indians from Railroads - American Minute with Bill Federer

May 31, 2023 • & fate of Buffalo and Indians from Railroads • Jim Bridger • Kit Carson • Mountain Men of the Rockies

Kit Carson led John C. Frémont on expeditions across the South Pass of the Continental Divide which "touched off a wave of wagon caravans filled with hopeful emigrants."

Spain's help in American Revolution & Early U.S. Naval Heroes: Jordi Farragut Mesquida (George Farragut), David Porter, David Glasgow Farragut, David Dixon Porter, Matthew Fontaine Maury - American Minute with Bill Federer

May 31, 2023 • David Dixon Porter • David Glasgow Farragut • David Porter • Early U.S. Naval Heroes: Jordi Farragut Mesquida (George Farragut) • Matthew Fontaine Maury

David Glasgow Farragut, the son of a Spanish captain, George Farragut, and the adoptive son of Commodore David Porter, who served for a time as Commander of Mexico's Navy, was promoted to be the first U.S. Navy Admiral. Farragut was encouraged to run for President, but declined.