This Day in Naval History - June 18

1812 - U.S. declares war on Great Britain for impressment of Sailors and interference with commerce.
1942 - First African-American officer, Bernard W. Robinson, commissioned in Naval Reserve.
1957 - Chief of Naval Operations approves ship characteristics of the Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine.

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.