1812 - The frigate, USS Essex, commanded by Capt. David Porter, captures the merchant brig, Lamprey, in the Atlantic.
1854 - USS Cyanebombards San Juan del Norte in retaliation for ill-treatment of US citizens. Marines and Sailors also seize weapons and powder in retribution for an attack on US Consular officials for refusal to pay reparation.
1939 - Rear Adm. Richard Byrd is appointed to command the 1939-1941 United States Antarctic Service Expedition. Under objectives outlined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Byrd establishes an east and west base and holds a wide range of scientific observations until international tensions end the expedition in early 1941.
1942 - USS Lansdowne sinks the German submarine U-153 off the Panama Canal Zone.
1943 - The Japanese are intercepted from landing reinforcements in the Solomon Islands, resulting in the night Battle of Kolombangara. During the battle, the US Navy loses USS Gwin.
1991 - USS Kentucky is commissioned at Groton, Conn., the third Navy vessel to be named after the Bluegrass state. The Thoroughbred of the Fleet is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
1996 - USS Wyoming is commissioned at Groton, Conn. The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine is the fourth named Wyoming and is homeported at Kings Bay, Ga.
USS Saint Louis and HMNZS Leander firing during the action in the Battle of Kolombangara.