Today In History: January 14

1781: The Battle of Cowpens took place during the Revolutionary War, where American forces achieved a decisive victory over the British in South Carolina, significantly weakening British forces in the South.

1863: Union forces launched a campaign to take control of Vicksburg, beginning a series of military engagements that would ultimately secure the Mississippi River for the Union.

1942: The Battle of Bataan started, where U.S. and Filipino forces faced heavy Japanese attacks during the Pacific campaign, setting the stage for a major loss for the US.

1943: The Casablanca Conference began, where Allied leaders agreed to demand the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers, establishing the long-term goals of the war.

1966: The U.S. Congress authorized Operation Hot Line, an agreement with the Soviet Union to improve Cold War communications, marking an attempt to de-escalate Cold War tensions.