Today in U.S. Naval History: April 11

Today in U.S. Naval History - April 11

1783 - Congress declares end of war with Great Britain

1900 - Navy accepted its first submarine, USS Holland

1970 - Launch of Apollo 13, commanded by Capt. James A. Lovell, Jr., USN. Former naval aviator Fred W. Haise, Jr. was the Lunar Module Pilot. While 200,000 miles from Earth there was an explosion on board which forced Apollo 13 to circle the moon without landing. Mission duration was five days, 22 hours and 54 minutes. Recovery was by HS-4 helicopters from USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2).

1991 - U.N. ceasefire ends Persian Gulf War

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