5 April 1869– Last surviving Soldier of the Revolutionary war, Daniel Bakeman, dies at the age of 109.
5 April 2003– On the 18th day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, US troops enter Baghdad for the first time.
6 April 1917– The US Congress declares war on Germany during WW1. The US was not totally prepared for war at the time and would have to take measures to increase the capabilities and size of the Army before entering combat operations.
7 April 1954– President Eisenhower describes the “Domino Theory” while discussing the importance of Vietnam. Overall the theory predicts that if one country in an area becomes communist, all the surrounding countries will as well. This theory was used as justification for US intervention around the world during the Cold War.
10 April 1945– During WW2 the US would liberate the Nazi concentration camp, Buchenwald. This was the first concentration camp to be found by the Allies in the west. For years claims had been made about the atrocities committed at these camps, and the Soviets had come across the first during their advances in the east. These claims were not readily believed till the US and other Allies saw what had been happening first hand. This is not to say the Allies rebuked the fact they existed, they just believed the claims were exaggerated for effect by the Soviets.