General Zachary Taylor triumphs over a significantly larger Mexican army at the Battle of Buena Vista, fought in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila. Taylor's victory over Mexican General Santa Ana secured northern Mexico and demonstrated American military superiority.
Lincoln arrives in Washington
President-elect Abraham Lincoln secretly arrives in Washington D.C. following an alleged plot to assassinate him while he switched trains in Baltimore. Allan Pinkerton, a noted detective and spy, helped Lincoln pass through Baltimore undetected on his way to Washington.
During the Battle of Iwo Jima five U.S. Marines and one Naval corpsman plant the American flag on the top of Mount Suribachi, signaling control of the island's tallest peak to the soldiers fighting below.
