Today is: Iwo Jima Day
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Iwo Jima Day marks the anniversary of the date in February 1945 when the Battle of Iwo Jima began, with the invasion of Iwo Jima island by the United States Armed Forces. Some of the bloodiest fighting of the Pacific Theater of World War II took place at Iwo Jima. On Feb. 23, the Marines captured Mount Suribachi, a mountain on the south side of the island. A flag was raised and photos were taken by Louis R. Lowery; these photos weren't published until 1947. Six Marines raised a second flag, and AP photographer Joe Rosenthal took a picture of them. Known as "Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima," the photo won the Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 1945.
The Battle of Iwo Jima lasted five weeks, with the United States capturing the island at its conclusion. About 70,000 Marines fought in the battle, compared to 21,000 Japanese forces.
Source: Checkiday.com
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Today is: Iwo Jima Day
