Heroic Acts and Happy Firsts from History

Quick Smiles:

• Desmond Doss saved 75 men and received the Medal of Honor without bearing arms.
• Eliud Kipchoge broke the sub-2-hour marathon barrier, inspiring millions.
• The first Oktoberfest brought Munich together in joyful celebration.

Desmond Doss became a hero 80 years ago after saving around 75 fellow soldiers during the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge, despite never carrying a weapon due to his beliefs. His extraordinary courage as a medic led him to receive the Medal of Honor from President Truman on October 12, 1945.

Raised as a Seventh-day Adventist, Doss devoted himself to nonviolence and compassion, earning two Bronze Stars for valor in Guam and the Philippines before Okinawa. His heroics inspired the 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge.

His award citation began,

“As our troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately 75 casualties and driving the others back. Private First Class Doss refused to seek cover and remained in the fire-swept area with the many stricken, carrying them one by one to the edge of the escarpment and there lowering them on a rope-supported litter down the face of a cliff to friendly hands.”

On this day, other remarkable events unfolded. Blondie performed under their famous name for the first time in New York, and Al Gore shared the Nobel Peace Prize with the U.N. for climate action.

Milestones continued with Botswana’s High Court affirming women’s inheritance rights, and August Horch, the founder behind Audi, was born, leaving a mark on the automotive world.

Douglas Adams’ classic, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, charmed readers with its witty take on science fiction.

The first ever Oktoberfest invited all of Munich to celebrate together, setting the stage for an annual global festival of joy and culture.

Jesus Christ Superstar dazzled Broadway with its innovative storytelling through music and lyrics, becoming a theatre sensation.

Eliud Kipchoge made sports history by completing a marathon in under two hours, comparing his success to humanity’s great leaps forward.

Celebrate these inspiring moments and share the good feelings with family and friends.

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