Today in U.S. Naval History: April 21

Today in U.S. Naval History - April 21

1861 - USS Saratoga captures slaver, Nightingale.

1898 - U.S. at war against Spain.

1906 - Commander Robert Peary discovered supposed Arctic Continent did not exist.

1972 - Moonwalk in the Descartes Highlands by Capt. John W. Young, USN Commander of Apollo 16. He was the ninth man to walk on the moon. LCDR Thomas K. Mattingly II, USN was the Command Module Pilot. During the 11 day, 1 hour and 51 minute mission, 213 lbs. of lunar material was collected. Recovery by HC-1 helicopters from USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14)

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.