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The Garrison That Mistook an Attack for a Salute
The Garrison That Mistook an Attack for a Salute
On 21 June 1898, the USS Charleston sailed into Guam’s harbour and fired thirteen shots at the Spanish fort. The garrison commander, unaware that the Spanish-American War had been underway for two months, sent a rowing boat to apologise for having no gunpowder to return the salute. What followed was one of the most polite military surrenders in history. This episode explores that bloodless capture, the later bombardment of Fort Stevens in Oregon by a Japanese submarine in 1942, the first privately funded spaceflight by SpaceShipOne in 2004, the naming of Pluto’s moons Nix and Hydra in 2006, and the birth of internet-famous cat Lil Bub in 2011. Five moments from 21 June that illustrate how history arrives unexpectedly, sometimes with courtesy, sometimes with shells, and occasionally with a cat who couldn’t quite close her mouth.
Chapters
A Spanish garrison commander mistakes an American attack for a friendly salute in 1898, setting up one of history’s most polite military surrenders.
On 21 June 1898, the USS Charleston fired on Fort Santa Cruz in Guam. The Spanish garrison, unaware the Spanish-American War had started two months earlier, sent officers to apologise for lacking gunpowder to return the salute. Captain Henry Glass informed them they were at war and accepted their surrender without a single casualty.
Invitation to follow the show and share with curious friends.
On 21 June 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaced near the Columbia River and fired seventeen shells at Fort Stevens in Oregon, one of the only direct attacks on the continental United States during the Second World War. American forces were ordered not to return fire, and no one was killed.
On 21 June 2004, SpaceShipOne became the first privately funded spacecraft to reach the edge of space, crossing the Kármán line at roughly 100 kilometres altitude. Pilot Mike Melvill became the first commercial astronaut, and the craft later won the Ansari X Prize.
On 21 June 2006, two of Pluto’s moons received official names: Nix and Hydra, both from Greek mythology and conveniently matching the initials of the New Horizons spacecraft. This occurred weeks before Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
On 21 June 2011, Lil Bub was born in Indiana. The cat, born with genetic mutations that gave her a distinctive appearance, became an internet sensation and raised significant funds for animal rescue charities before her death in 2019.
Closing reflection on the day’s stories and reminder that history consistently undermines human overconfidence.
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By Clara ValeThe Garrison That Mistook an Attack for a Salute
On 21 June 1898, the USS Charleston sailed into Guam’s harbour and fired thirteen shots at the Spanish fort. The garrison commander, unaware that the Spanish-American War had been underway for two months, sent a rowing boat to apologise for having no gunpowder to return the salute. What followed was one of the most polite military surrenders in history. This episode explores that bloodless capture, the later bombardment of Fort Stevens in Oregon by a Japanese submarine in 1942, the first privately funded spaceflight by SpaceShipOne in 2004, the naming of Pluto’s moons Nix and Hydra in 2006, and the birth of internet-famous cat Lil Bub in 2011. Five moments from 21 June that illustrate how history arrives unexpectedly, sometimes with courtesy, sometimes with shells, and occasionally with a cat who couldn’t quite close her mouth.
Chapters
A Spanish garrison commander mistakes an American attack for a friendly salute in 1898, setting up one of history’s most polite military surrenders.
On 21 June 1898, the USS Charleston fired on Fort Santa Cruz in Guam. The Spanish garrison, unaware the Spanish-American War had started two months earlier, sent officers to apologise for lacking gunpowder to return the salute. Captain Henry Glass informed them they were at war and accepted their surrender without a single casualty.
Invitation to follow the show and share with curious friends.
On 21 June 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaced near the Columbia River and fired seventeen shells at Fort Stevens in Oregon, one of the only direct attacks on the continental United States during the Second World War. American forces were ordered not to return fire, and no one was killed.
On 21 June 2004, SpaceShipOne became the first privately funded spacecraft to reach the edge of space, crossing the Kármán line at roughly 100 kilometres altitude. Pilot Mike Melvill became the first commercial astronaut, and the craft later won the Ansari X Prize.
On 21 June 2006, two of Pluto’s moons received official names: Nix and Hydra, both from Greek mythology and conveniently matching the initials of the New Horizons spacecraft. This occurred weeks before Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
On 21 June 2011, Lil Bub was born in Indiana. The cat, born with genetic mutations that gave her a distinctive appearance, became an internet sensation and raised significant funds for animal rescue charities before her death in 2019.
Closing reflection on the day’s stories and reminder that history consistently undermines human overconfidence.
Links