This Day in History

  • Battle of Princeton

    On January 3, 1777, General George Washington earned one of the most important victories of the American Revolutionary War at the Battle of Princeton in New Jersey. Although small in size compared to later battles, the victory came at a critical moment when the Continental Army was struggling, and it helped change the course of the war by restoring American confidence and weakening British control in the region.

  • Birth of Oscar Micheaux

    Oscar Devereaux Micheaux was born on January 2, 1884, in Metropolis, Illinois—and he would grow up to change American film forever. As an author, director, and producer, Micheaux became a pioneering voice in early cinema, creating films that challenged racial stereotypes and told powerful Black stories at a time when few such voices were allowed on screen.

  • Postage Stamp Use Becomes Mandatory

    On January 1, 1856, the United States Post Office made a change that permanently transformed how Americans sent mail. Beginning on that date, all domestic letters were required to be prepaid using postage stamps. Although the Post Office had first begun selling stamps on July 1, 1847, their use had remained optional for nearly ten years. By making stamps compulsory, the federal government created a more efficient, reliable, and modern postal system suited to a rapidly growing nation.

  • Battle of Stones River

    On December 31, 1862, the Battle of Stones River (also known as the Second Battle of Murfreesboro) began in Middle Tennessee. What followed would become one of the bloodiest and most hard-fought clashes of the Civil War, with the fate of the region hanging in the balance.

  • Kennedy Half Dollar Authorized

    On December 30, 1963, just weeks after the nation was shaken by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Congress passed a bill approving the creation of a new half dollar coin bearing his likeness. This decision came a full ten years before a redesign of the half dollar was legally required, showing how strong the desire was to honor the fallen president as quickly as possible.

  • First YMCA Opens in America

    On December 29, 1851, Thomas V. Sullivan helped establish America’s first Young Men’s Christian Association, or YMCA, in Boston. What began as a small effort to guide and support young men soon grew into one of the most influential community organizations in the world. The YMCA’s early history reflects the challenges of rapid industrial growth and the desire to provide safe, healthy alternatives for people facing difficult urban conditions.

  • Iowa Becomes a State

    On December 28, 1846, Iowa was admitted to the Union as America’s 29th state. Known today for its rolling farmland and strong agricultural traditions, Iowa’s path to statehood was shaped by Native American history, European exploration, westward expansion, and economic change. Over time, the region transformed from Indigenous homeland to frontier territory and finally into a modern state with a diverse economy.