 "History Today: How the My Lai massacre unfolded during the Vietnam War")
March 16 is considered to be an important day in history.
One of the most gruesome and tragic incidents during the Vietnam War. A company of American soldiers brutally killed hundreds of civilians, mostly children, elderly people and women in the small village of My Lai in Vietnam’s Quang Ngai province on March 16, 1968.
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.
On this day in 1802, the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point was officially established by President Thomas Jefferson. Meanwhile, the iconic thriller movie ‘Psycho’ premiered in 1960, marking a change in cinematic history.
Here is all that took place on this day across the world.
My Lai Massacre took place in Vietnam
One of the most shocking incidents during the Vietnam War took place on this day in 1968 when US troops massacred hundreds of people, mostly civilians from the My Lai village in Vietnam.
Believed to be a stronghold of the National Liberation Front (NLF) or Viet Cong (VC) during the Vietnam War, Quang Ngai province was the target of US and South Vietnamese forces leading to frequent bombings.
Charlie Company, a unit within the Americal Division’s 11th Infantry Brigade, was informed in March 1968 that Viet Cong guerrillas had seized control of the adjacent village of Son My. Arriving at dawn, Lieutenant Calley and his soldiers found no VC, but a quiet village of women, children, and elderly men preparing breakfast.
Despite the discovery of minimal weapons, Calley issued an order to his men to begin shooting the villagers. This resulted in the killing of unarmed civilians, the slaughter of livestock, the rape of women, and the complete destruction of the village.
The US military’s attempted cover-up of the My Lai massacre was thwarted by whistleblower Ronald Ridenhour. Seymour Hersh’s 1969 expose caused global outrage and Ronald L. Haeberle’s photos provided irrefutable evidence of the atrocity.
United States Military Academy was established
One of the biggest incidents took place on this day in 1802 in the United States. The United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point was officially established by then-President Thomas Jefferson.
The idea of a military academy dates back to the American Revolution when West Point was recognised as a strategic military location along the Hudson River. In 1778, General George Washington declared it the key defensive position for the Continental Army.
The Military Peace Establishment Act, signed by President Jefferson on March 16, 1802, formally created the academy and underscored the shift from relying on untrained militias to prioritising the training of professional military officers.
The school was founded as the school for the US Corps of Engineers with a class of five officers and 10 cadets.
Alfred Hitchcock’s movie ‘Psycho’ premiered
It was on March 16, 1960, that the turning point occurred in the cinematic history of world cinema when the iconic thriller Psycho premiered in New York City. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the movie went on to become a turning point in cinematic history.
Following her impulsive theft of $40,000, Marion Crane (played by Marion Leigh) seeks refuge at the isolated Bates Motel, managed by the timid Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and his seemingly overbearing mother.
During a shower, she is brutally murdered. Her disappearance prompts her boyfriend and sister to embark on a search, leading them to the Bates residence. There, they confront Norman, disguised as his long-dead mother, the actual perpetrator. A psychiatrist later reveals Norman’s struggle with a split personality, explaining his murderous actions.
Psycho broke many cinematic conventions, including the unexpected death of the protagonist early in the film and became one of the first films to portray psychological horror and mental illness in a deeply disturbing yet realistic manner.
Despite initial mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, grossing over $50 million and earning four Academy Award nominations.
This Day, That Year
In 2014, Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine and join the Russian Federation.
US Marines captured the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II in 1945.
In 1926, American inventor Robert H Goddard launched the first successful liquid-propellant rocket.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
