1859/06/25

       During the Second Opium War, Commodore Josiah Tattnall III, of the Navy of the united States, commanding the chartered Toey-Wan, shells the Taku Forts, in Tianjin, China.

       NOTE: This is the second time the u.S. had attacked China, whereas China had never attacked the U.s—until 1950.

       [added 9/27/2026]

Subsequent Events:

10/24/1860                    11/25/1950

References:

Second Opium War – Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Opium_War

Battle of Taku Forts (1859) – Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Taku_Forts_(1859)

Current U.s. National Debt:

$40,439,546,016,039

Source