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517th Parachute
Regimental Combat Team
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This site is dedicated to all Troopers of the 517th PRCT, their families, and the brave French and Belgian Resistance Fighters who supported and fought with the 517 PRCT in WWII.
1942: Allies invade North Africa The Allied Powers in World War II invaded North Africa today. "An announcement of the action, obviously aimed at winning complete domination of the dark continent and reopening the Mediterranean sea for the United Nations in conjunction with the victorious British drive westward from Egypt, was made in a simultaneous announcement tonight by President Roosevelt and a communique from the War department," reported the The Port Arthur News on November 8, 1942. "The White House statement said the purpose of the move was twofold: 1. To forestall an Axis invasion there which 'would constitute a direct threat to America across a comparatively narrow sea from western Africa.' 2. To provide 'an effective second front assistance to our heroic allies in Russia 1916: First woman elected to U.S. Congress Jeanette Rankin, of Montana, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives today, becoming the first woman to serve in Congress. "As soon as it was learned that Miss Rankin had won, telegrams from all parts of the country began to shower upon her at her home in Missoula. Prominent suffrage leaders of the country sent messages saying that her election was significant of a great victory for the women of the country," reported the The Indianapolis Star on November 11, 1916. The newspaper article then went on to describe Rankin's physical characteristics, along with her cooking abilities: "Miss Rankin makes her own clothes, stunning ones, too - her hats, and she is also an excellent cook." NOTE: Rankin's election was especially significant as women would not have the right to vote until four years after she was elected to congress. Recent Guestbook entries
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