This Day in History

1999 33¢ John and William Bartram
March 23, 1699

Birth of John Bartram 

Botanist John Bartram was born on March 23, 1699, in Darby, Pennsylvania Colony. Called the “greatest natural botanist in the world,” he started one of the first botanic gardens in the United States.

Read Article
2007 41¢ Legends of Hollywood: James Stewart
March 22, 1941

James Stewart Goes to War

On March 22, 1941, James Stewart was inducted into the US Army, making him the first major US movie star to don a military uniform during World War II.

Read Article
1963 5¢ Science
March 21, 1826

Rensselaer Polytechnic Incorporated

On March 21, 1826, the Rensselaer School was incorporated in Troy, New York.  Later named the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, it’s considered the oldest continuously operating technological college in America and the English-speaking world.

Read Article
2018 50¢ Mr. Rogers
March 20, 1928

Happy Birthday, Mr. Rogers

Fred McFeely Rogers was born on March 20, 1928, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Hosting Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for over 30 years, he helped transform children’s television.

Read Article
1986 $2 Great Americans: William Jennings Bryan
March 19, 1860

Birth of William Jennings Bryan

William Jennings Bryan was born on March 19, 1860, in Salem, Illinois.  Known as “The Great Commoner,” Jennings ran for president three times, but is remembered for his impassioned speeches on a variety of topics, including anti-trust, anti-imperialism, prohibition, populism, and trust-busting.

Read Article
1948 3¢ A Century of Friendship, United States - Canada
March 18, 1855

Niagara Railway Suspension Bridge

On March 18, 1855, the Niagara Railway Suspension Bridge officially opened. A joint project between the US and Canada, the bridge opened a new transportation route and marked the start of more than a century of friendship between our two nations.

Read Article
1996 32¢ Folk Heroes: Paul Bunyan
March 17, 1893

The Legend of Paul Bunyan

March 17, 1893 marked the first recorded reference to Paul Bunyan in the Gladwin County Record. A series of tall tales made their way from lumber camps to newspapers, to books, and beyond, making Paul Bunyan an American folklore hero.

Read Article
1894 $2 Madison, unwatermarked
March 16, 1751

Happy Birthday, James Madison

James Madison was born on March 16, 1751, in Port Conway, Virginia. One of America’s Founding Fathers and the fourth US president, Madison is considered the “Father of the US Constitution” and led America through the War of 1812.

Read Article
1946 3¢ US Armed Forces: Merchant Marine
March 15, 1938

Merchant Marines

On March 15, 1938, the Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was established.  Merchant Marines transport cargo and passengers in peacetime and are called upon in times of war to deliver troops and supplies wherever needed.

Read Article

Love history?

Discover events in American history – plus the stamps that make them come alive.

Subscribe to get This Day in History stories straight to your inbox every day!