Bomb kills 241 U.S. servicemembers in Lebanon barracks

A truck bomb crashes into the U.S. Marine barracks at Beirut International Airport, killing 241 American servicemembers and 58 French paratroopers. The deadliest single attack on U.S. forces since Vietnam triggers congressional debate over War Powers Resolution compliance. Congress invokes the Resolution for the first time, authorizing Marines for 18 months. The attack marks a turning point in American Middle East policy.