Today in World War II History—April 18, 1942

Lt. Col. James Doolittle (L) and Capt. Marc Mitscher (R) aboard USS Hornet, 18 Apr 1942 (US Naval History and Heritage Command: NH 64472)
80 Years Ago—Apr. 18, 1942: Doolittle Raid: 16 B-25s launched from carrier USS Hornet bomb Tokyo, led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle; little damage inflicted, but significantly increases morale in US and decreases morale in Japan.
US establishes War Manpower Commission to maximize effective use of workers.
Stars and Stripes newspaper is re-established for US servicemen, with the first issue published in London.

US B-25 taking off from USS Hornet for the Doolittle Raid, 18 Apr 1942 (US National Archives: 80-G-41196)