Thought I would note the flag raising that occurred 75 years ago today during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Two flags were raised, the second creating one of the most iconic photos of World War 2, and etching the United States Marines forever into world history.
"HEY! WAIT A MINUTE! The flag raising occurred on the 23rd of February, not the 22nd!"
I hear you, and you would be correct. Both flag raisings did occur on the 23rd of February... on Iwo Jima. However, there's this thing called "the International Dateline" and that kinda throws our perception of days into confusion.
If my reckoning is correct, there's a 15 hour difference between Iwo Jima and Central Standard Time here in the states. Now the first flag raising happened around 10:30 am on Iwo Jima on the 23rd, which means in the USA it would have occurred at about 7:30 pm CST of the 22nd. The second flag raising happened somewhere (and the time is not certain) between Noon and 1:00pm, which means it would have been about 9:00 to 10:00pm here (CST).
Most people will be celebrating the 23rd as the date of the flag raising here in the states, and that's quite alright. But you can hoist one to the Corps tonight if you're a mind, and you won't be wrong.
Take care and Semper Fi!
Gary