This Day in Queer History

On this day in 1730, Baron von Steuben was born. The Prussian officer trained Washington's army at Valley Forge and helped win American independence, all while keeping his love for men carefully hidden.

On this day in 1778, Friedrich von Steuben, forced from Prussian service over homosexual scandals, arrived at Valley Forge and transformed a ragtag militia into the disciplined force that won American independence.

On this day in 1948, anthropologist Ruth Benedict died. Her relationship with Margaret Mead was both intellectual and romantic, and together they became the two most influential anthropologists of their time.

On this day in 1972, MAS*H premiered on CBS, introducing Corporal Max Klinger, television's first ongoing heterosexual cross-dressing character, to American living rooms.