1943: The Japanese completed Operation Ke, the evacuation of their remaining forces from Guadalcanal. Read a review of a book about the history of Operation Ke on HistoryNet.com.
American Marines in 1944 exhibit a Japanese flag captured on Guadalcanal.
Photo Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Also on this day in history, in the U.S. and elsewhere:
1842: In the Battle of Debre Tabor, Ras Ali Alula, regent to the Negus of Ethiopia, defeated the warlord Wube Haile Maryan of Sebien.
1881: Outnumbered Boers defeated the British in the Battle of Ingogo, Transvaal.
1944: German forces launched a counterattack against the Allied beachhead at Anzio. Read a short history on the Anzio Operation on HistoryNet.com.