Origins & Early Life

Major General Smedley Darlington Butler (July 30, 1881 – June 21, 1940) was a United States Marine Corps officer and, later, an anti-war advocate. During his 34-year military career, he fought in the Philippine–American War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Mexican Revolution, World War I, and the Banana Wars. At the time of his death, Butler was the most decorated Marine in U.S. military history.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

By the end of his career, Butler had received sixteen medals, including five for heroism; he was awarded the Marine Corps Brevet Medal as well as two Medals of Honor, both for separate actions. In 1933, Butler claimed to have been approached to become involved in a controversy, the Business Plot, telling a United States congressional committee a group of wealthy American industrialists were planning a coup d'état to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Butler also claimed the plotters of the alleged coup intended to use him, at the head of a group of veterans, to place the federal government under arrest. The individuals alleged to be involved in the coup all denied the existence of such a plot and the media ridiculed Butler's allegations, but a final report following an investigation by a...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alexander Fleming — Contemporary (Born in 1881) (1881): Pioneering microbiologist known for the discovery of penicillin, revolutionizing medicine.
• Alexander II of Russia — Contemporary (Died in 1881) (1881): Emperor of Russia, known as 'The Liberator' for abolishing serfdom.
• Béla Bartók — Contemporary (Born in 1881) (1881): Pioneering Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist of the 20th century.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Al Pacino — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Intense American actor celebrated for his powerful stage and screen performances.
• Alan Kay — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Pioneer of GUI, Object-Oriented Programming, and modern computing paradigms.
• Andrew Strominger — Shared historical date (07-30 · Born) (1955): American theoretical physicist specializing in quantum gravity and string theory.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger — Shared historical date (07-30 · Born) (1947): Iconic Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, and politician.
• Aloysius Gonzaga — Shared historical date (06-21 · Died) (1591): Italian Jesuit seminarian and saint, known for his aristocratic background and early death.
• Anders Jonas Ångström — Shared historical date (06-21 · Died) (1874): Pioneering Swedish physicist, founder of spectroscopy and astrophysics.
• 1881 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1881
• July 30 (07-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 30
• 1940 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1940
• June 21 (06-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 21