 Did you know that August 31st, 1862, was the last day that a daily rum ration was issued on board U.S. naval vessels? A July 14th act of Congress directed the spirit ration cease by September 1st. Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells then ordered all distilled liquors not used for medicinal purposes removed from ships. September 2nd, 1945, more than two weeks after agreeing to terms, Japan formally surrendered to the Allied powers to end World War II. The signing of the surrender took place on board the battleship USS Missouri and lasted less than half an hour. On September 3rd, 1925, the rigid airship USS Shenandoah crashed near Baysville, Ohio. The massive airship broke into three sections, thousands of feet in the air, after encountering a storm. Of the 49-person crew, only 14 perished in the crash. If you enjoyed these facts and would like to know more, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website.