#OTD20 | September 15, 1916

Tanks Roll into Battle

September 15, 1916: History is made as military tanks are used for the first time in combat.

British Mark I tanks rolls into combat for the first time during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, a pivotal moment in the Battle of the Somme. These early tracked fighting vehicles revolutionize warfare with their armored might, forever altering the field of battle. One Australian crewman remark on the awesome invention, saying it:

"Ladled out death as you might vamp out indifferent music from a hurdy gurdy."

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The Battle of the Somme and advances in battlefield technology are chronicled in our curriculum-aligned film, World War I.

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Additional Resources

Access more information from Media Rich Learning and curated off-site sources.

National Army Museum

Explore the stories of World War I with this excellent resource from Britain's National Army Museum.

Tank Museum

Learn more about the Mark I at the Tank Museum.

#OTD20

Step back in time to experience the significant events that happened on this day in the 20th century.

October 12, 1945: The Conscientious Objector Who Became a War Hero

#OTD20 — October 12, 1945: Private Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector, is awarded the Medal of Honor for his unparalleled bravery during World War II.

October 11, 1936: Mother Jones Memorial Dedicated

#OTD20 — October 10, 1986: President Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev meet in Reykjavik to discuss arms control. Despite high hopes, they leave without no major agreements.

October 10, 1986: Reagan and Gorbachev at the Reykjavik Summit

#OTD20 — October 10, 1986: President Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev meet in Reykjavik to discuss arms control. Despite high hopes, they leave without no major agreements.

October 7, 1963: President Kennedy Signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

#OTD20 — October 7, 1963: President Kennedy signs the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, prohibiting nuclear tests in the atmosphere, underwater, or in space.

October 6, 1991: Anita Hill Allegations Emerge: A Pivotal Moment for the Supreme Court and the Nation

#OTD20 — October 6, 1991: Anita Hill’s allegations of sexual harassment against Clarence Thomas shake the nation.

October 5, 1914: First Aerial Combat Victory Ushers in New Age in Military Strategy

The Sputnik launch marks the beginning of the space age and the U.S.-Soviet space race. Dive into this #OTD20 event with Media Rich Learning.

October 4, 1957: Sputnik Launch Ignites the Space Race

The Sputnik launch marks the beginning of the space age and the U.S.-Soviet space race. Dive into this #OTD20 event with Media Rich Learning.

October 2, 1944: Warsaw Uprising – Remembering Poland’s Fierce Resistance

#OTD20 — October 2, 1944: After 63 days of intense fighting, the Warsaw Uprising ends with the surrender of Polish insurgents.

September 29, 1950: Reaching the 38th Parallel in Korea

#OTD20 — September 29, 1950: Exploring the day U.S.-led troops reached the 38th parallel—the dividing line between North and South Korea—during the Korean War.

September 28, 1928: Alexander Fleming and the Discovery of Penicillin

#OTD20 — September 28, 1928: Learn more about Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic and a revolutionary medical breakthrough.

September 27, 1964: Warren Report — Solving or Complicating JFK’s Assassination?

#OTD20 — September 27, 1964: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain believes war with German has been averted, declaring the Munich Agreement affords “peace in our time.”

September 26, 1960: The First Televised Presidential Debate

#OTD20 — September 26, 1960: the first-ever televised presidential debate took place between Kennedy and Nixon, reshaping American politics and the role of television in it.

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