Events with tag - Military Service

November 11, 1865

First Woman Receives Medal of Honor

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker made history as the first and only woman to receive the Medal of Honor for her extraordinary service as a civilian surgeon during the Civil War. Her medal was presented on November 11, 1865, at the War Department in Washington, D.C.

September 16, 1940

US Military Draft Act

The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 established America's first peacetime draft, requiring all men aged 21-45 to register for military service. This historic legislation transformed the U.S. military from 335,000 soldiers in 1939 to over 1.4 million by 1941.

September 16, 1940

US Military Draft in WW2

The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 established America's first peacetime military draft, requiring men aged 21-35 to register for service, eventually mobilizing over 10 million men for World War II.

September 16, 1940

First US Peacetime Military Draft

The United States implemented its first peacetime military draft through the Selective Training and Service Act, requiring all men aged 21-45 to register for potential military service. This historic decision strengthened America's military capabilities before entering World War II.

December 1, 1969

First US Peacetime Draft Lottery

On December 1, 1969, the United States conducted its first peacetime draft lottery, revolutionizing military recruitment during the Vietnam War era. The historic event determined the service order for men born between 1944 and 1950 through a televised drawing of 366 blue plastic capsules.