March 22, 1983, contract for first HUMVEE awarded

On March 22, 1983, the Pentagon awarded a huge contract to AM General Corporation to develop 55,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Nicknamed the Humvee, the vehicle was designed to transport troops and cargo and was first used during the invasion of Panama. In 1992, a civilian version went on sale.  General Motors purchased rights to the “Hummer,” but by 2009, GM was bankrupt and sold the brand to a Chinese company as part of its reorganization plan.