The first day of the Battle of Saint-Mihiel in France occurred on September 12, 1918. Over 550,000 U.S. troops fought in the first American-led major offensive of WWI. Image: American forces push and pull along a muddy road as they march near Saint-Mihiel via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On today’s date September 12, 1953, Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy in Newport, Rhode Island. Photo by Toni Frissell via Library of Congress, no known restrictions

An American bazookaman and two riflemen of the infantry advance past road signs toward enemy positions in the Siegfried line. Belgian border area September 12, 1944 Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Jesse Owens (left) and Bill Bojangles Robinson after Owens returned from the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. On September 12, 1913, Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On September 12, 2003 country music legend and U.S. Air Force Veteran Johnny Cash passed away. It was just four months after his wife and music partner, June Carter Cash, passed away. Image: Newlyweds Johnny Cash and June Carter while on tour in England in 1968 via Alamy

On September 12, 1944, American singer and songwriter, Barry White, was born in Galveston, Texas. Image via Alamy

Bonanza premiered on September 12, 1959 and tales of the Cartwright clan continued to run for an impressive 14 seasons. Shown is the original cast: (from top) Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, and Pernell Roberts. Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known copyright, public domain in the US

On September 12, 1818 Richard Jordan Gatling was born in Hertford County, North Carolina. In addition to inventing the Gatling gun in 1861, he also developed improvements in agricultural machinery and other equipment. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The first female police officer of the Los Angeles Police Department, Alice Stebbins Wells, was sworn in on September 12, 1910. Image of Officer Wells in 1912 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

After being ousted as President of Nicaragua and later finding a way to return to Central America, American William Walker was captured and eventually sentenced to death by firing squad in Honduras on September 12, 1860. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On September 12, 1814 The Battle of Baltimore begins as Americans successfully delay the invasion of five thousand British troops at North Point. Image: The Battle Monument in Baltimore, Maryland via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On September 12, 1857, a hurricane sank the SS Central America off the South Carolina coast and 425 of her 578 passengers and crew were lost.

The ship carried about 15 tons of gold from California. Millions of dollars worth have since been recovered along with artifacts like the remarkably well-preserved daguerreotype below.

Both images via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US