✈️ This Week In History - The Debut of Tanks in WWI

Welcome back History Nerds,

We’ve got another War focused newsletter for you guys this week. There seems to be a trend in war this time of year for whatever reason, as the Battle of Somme kicked off the use of tanks this week in history, as well as the War on Terror. We tried to keep it as lighthearted and historically accurate as possible out of respect for the family of soldiers who fought. Do you have any war veterans in your family? Let us know, we’d love to hear your family members’ stories. And as always, pour yourself up a nice big cup of coffee and enjoy this week’s edition of the LOL History Newsletter!

Did You Know? On April 1, 1889, the first dishwashing machine was patented by a woman named Josephine Cochrane, who was tired of her servants chipping her fine china. She built it in a shed behind her house and showed it off at the World’s Fair, where hotels and restaurants went nuts for it. Her invention didn’t just change kitchens, it launched one of the first major appliance companies in America.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• When War Rolled Forward: Tanks at the Somme

• Mayflower Sets Sail for the New World

• A Nation Responds: Bush Declares the War on Terror

• U.S. Troops March Into Mexico City

Rolling Thunder: The First Tanks at the Battle of the Somme

On September 15, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme in World War I, tanks were used in combat for the first time in history. The British Mark I tanks, though slow and mechanically unreliable, represented a major technological leap in warfare. Their debut aimed to break the stalemate of trench warfare by crushing barbed wire and crossing trenches. Weighing around 28 tons and moving at a speed of just 3 miles per hour, they were manned by eight soldiers in harsh conditions. Although many became stuck or broke down, the concept of armored vehicles gained attention.

Despite their limited success and frequent breakdowns, the tanks had a significant psychological impact on both enemy and allied forces. They introduced a new era of mechanized warfare that would evolve rapidly in later conflicts. While the initial attack saw only modest gains, the event marked a turning point, demonstrating how innovation could shift the dynamics of modern warfare. Commanders took note of their potential, and future designs became faster, more reliable, and deadlier. The tank's arrival signaled the beginning of a shift in military strategy, paving the way for the mobile warfare seen in World War II.

Mayflower Sets Sail for the New World

On September 16, 1620, a ship called the Mayflower left England with about 100 passengers, many of them seeking religious freedom and a fresh start. These brave souls weren’t exactly cruise-ready either—conditions on board were cramped, smelly, and full of seasick colonists. After delays and false starts, they finally set out across the Atlantic, completely unaware they were about to become legends in American history.

The journey took more than two months, and let’s just say the ocean wasn’t very welcoming. Storms tossed the ship around like a toy, and at one point the Mayflower's main beam cracked (they actually fixed it mid-ocean with a giant screw, no joke). But somehow, they made it to what’s now Massachusetts. Since they landed outside the territory they were supposed to settle in, they drew up a quick agreement called the Mayflower Compact—basically, “let’s all agree not to go wild out here.”

That document, signed by 41 men including William Bradford and Myles Standish, became one of the earliest examples of self-government in the New World. These passengers would go on to found Plymouth Colony, and while things didn’t exactly go smoothly from there (cold winters, disease, you name it), their story became a foundational part of the American mythos. Not bad for a group of seasick settlers in a leaky boat.

The Dawn of the War on Terror

On September 20, 2001, just nine days after the devastating September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush addressed a joint session of Congress and declared a global "War on Terror." In a powerful and somber speech, he outlined a broad campaign against terrorism, naming al-Qaeda as the primary culprit and warning nations against harboring terrorists. The address sought to unite Americans and rally international support, framing the conflict as a fight between freedom and fear. Bush's words signaled a shift in U.S. foreign and domestic policy, as security, surveillance, and military strategy would undergo dramatic changes in the years to follow.

The declaration marked the beginning of a new and complex era in global geopolitics. The "War on Terror" soon led to military operations in Afghanistan and later Iraq, aiming to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent future attacks. While many Americans supported the mission, it also sparked ongoing debates about civil liberties, international law, and the long-term consequences of military intervention. The speech reshaped the post-9/11 world, redefining U.S. foreign policy and setting the tone for two decades of conflict and counterterrorism. Bush’s call to action became one of the most defining moments of the early 21st century.

U.S. Troops March Into Mexico City

On September 14, 1847, American troops led by General Winfield Scott captured Mexico City, ending the major fighting in the Mexican-American War. Scott’s forces had pulled off an impressive campaign, winning battle after battle as they marched from Veracruz all the way to the heart of Mexico. And when they finally reached the capital, it wasn’t just a win—it was the first time a U.S. army had ever taken a foreign capital by force.

The march to Mexico City wasn’t easy. Scott’s men had to fight through tough terrain, disease, and fierce resistance from Mexican forces, especially at Chapultepec Castle, where young military cadets, now national heroes in Mexico, died defending their post. But despite the odds, the American army pushed through, raising the U.S. flag over the city and sending a clear message that the war was all but over.

This victory paved the way for the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, which handed over a massive amount of territory to the United States, including parts of what are now California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The capture of Mexico City didn’t just end a war, it reshaped the map of North America forever.

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See You Next Time!

We hope that you enjoyed this edition of the LOL History newsletter! See you next week!

— Evan & Derek - LOL History Co-Founders