created during World War II and tasked with the operational deployment
of nuclear weapons. Commanded by Paul W. Tibbets, it conducted the
atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The group,
which was activated on 17 December 1944, was designated as a "composite"
rather than a "bombardment" formation because it contained flying
squadrons equipped with Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers and C-47
Skytrain and C-54 Skymaster transport aircraft. It operated Silverplate
B-29s, which were specially configured to enable them to carry nuclear
weapons. In addition to the two nuclear bombing raids, it carried out
15 practice missions against Japanese-held islands and 12 combat
missions against targets in Japan, dropping high-explosive pumpkin
bombs. In the postwar era, the 509th Composite Group was one of the
original ten bombardment groups assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21
March 1946 and the only one equipped with Silverplate B-29 Superfortress
aircraft capable of delivering atomic bombs. It was standardized as a
bombardment group and redesignated the 509th Bombardment Group, Very
Heavy, on 10 July 1946.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/509th_Composite_Group>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
546:
After a nearly year-long siege, Ostrogoths led by Totila sacked
Rome.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Rome_(546)>
1819:
The Republic of Gran Colombia in South America was established,
with Simón Bolívar as its first president.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Colombia>
1918:
About 1,000 demonstrators marched on Government House in
Darwin, Australia, where they burnt an effigy of Administrator John
Gilruth and demanded his resignation.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_Rebellion>
1970:
Soldiers fired at workers (memorial pictured) emerging from
trains in Gdynia, Poland, beginning the government's brutal crackdown on
mass anti-communist protests across the country.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_1970_protests>
1989:
The Simpsons, currently the longest running American prime time
entertainment series, made its debut on the Fox television network with
the episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire".
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
neotenous:
1. Exhibiting retention of juvenile characteristics in the adult.
2. (informal) Babyfaced.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/neotenous>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
We need to get to know each other, listen to each other and
improve our knowledge of the world around us. Sometimes after a meeting
I want to arrange another one because new ideas are born and I discover
new needs. This is important: to get to know people, listen, expand the
circle of ideas. The world is crisscrossed by roads that come closer
together and move apart, but the important thing is that they lead
towards the Good.
--Pope Francis
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pope_Francis>
_______________________________________________
Wikipedia Daily Article mailing list.
To unsubscribe, visit:
https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/daily-article-l
Questions or comments? Contact dal-feedback@wikimedia.org