Rough Riders Stamp
On October 27, 1948, the US Post Office issued a stamp honoring the 50th anniversary of the Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.
This Day in History
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Pony Express Service Ends
After just eighteen months of daring rides across the American frontier, the Pony Express ceased operations on October 26, 1861. Though short-lived, it became one of the most legendary chapters in the history of the American West.
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Death of Henry Knox
On October 25, 1806, Henry Knox, Revolutionary War general and the first US Secretary of War, passed away near Thomaston, Massachusetts (now Maine). From hauling cannon across frozen rivers to helping shape the young nation’s military, Knox’s contributions helped secure American independence and lay the foundation for the United States we know today.
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Birth of Moss Hart
Playwright and director Moss Hart was born on October 24, 1904, in New York City, New York. From humble beginnings in the Bronx, he rose to become one of Broadway’s most celebrated writers and directors, shaping American theater with his wit, warmth, and imagination.
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Battle of Leyte Gulf
On October 23, 1944, the Japanese Navy launched a massive counterattack against the Allied invasion of the Philippines, beginning the Battle of Leyte Gulf—the largest naval battle in world history and a turning point in the Pacific War. The four-day struggle shattered Japan’s fleet and ended its ability to fight a large-scale naval war.
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Edison’s First Successful Test of Electric Light Bulb
On October 22, 1879, Thomas Edison staged his first successful test of an electric light bulb with a carbon filament. Contrary to popular belief, Edison didn’t invent the light bulb. Dozens of inventors over several decades made their own versions, creating the basis for Edison’s light.
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Launch of the USS Constitution
On October 21, 1797, the USS Constitution was launched into service in Boston Harbor. Today, more than two centuries later, it remains the world’s oldest commissioned naval ship still afloat — a proud symbol of the early United States Navy and the nation’s determination to protect its freedom and trade.
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MacArthur’s Triumphant Return To Philippines
On October 20, 1944, General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled one of the most famous promises of World War II when he waded ashore on the Philippine island of Leyte and declared, “People of the Philippines, I have returned!” This moment marked the beginning of the long-awaited liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation and cemented MacArthur’s reputation as a determined and strategic military leader.
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John Jay Becomes First Supreme Court Chief Justice
On October 19, 1789, John Jay was sworn in as the first chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, becoming the head of a new judicial branch that would help define the rule of law in the young country. Though the event was modest in ceremony, it marked the beginning of one of the most important institutions in American government.
