Postal Act of 1852
On August 31, 1852, the US passed the Postal Act 1852, which required private express companies to use envelopes created by the Post Office.
This Day in History
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Birth of Ted Williams
Baseball legend Theodore Samuel Williams was born on August 30, 1918, in San Diego, California. One of the game’s all-time great hitters, he holds the record for career on-base percentage.
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Birth of Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman was born on August 29, 1915 in Stockholm, Sweden, and was named after the princess of Sweden at the time. Appearing in over 50 films in five different languages, earning numerous awards, Ingrid Bergman will always be remembered as one of the most accomplished actresses of the 20th century.
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Tom Thumb Proves the Power of Steam
On August 28, 1830, the Tom Thumb steam locomotive raced against a horse-drawn car near Baltimore, Maryland. Though the contest ended unexpectedly, it proved to railroad executives and the public that steam power would revolutionize transportation.
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Third Pan-American Games
On August 27, 1959, the third Pan-American Games officially opened in Chicago, Illinois. These were the first Pan-Am Games held in the United States.
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The 19th Amendment
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment went into effect, granting women’s suffrage. It was a major victory for suffragists following a decades-long fight.
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Red Ball Express
On August 25, 1944, the Red Ball Express truck convoy system opened to help rush supplies to soldiers at the front. It eventually helped to transport 3.5 tons of supplies per minute.
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Dolley Madison Saves Famous Washington Portrait
On August 24, 1814, as British troops approached the American capital, First Lady Dolley Madison insisted on saving important historical relics, including a portrait of our first president.
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11th International Botanical Congress
On August 23, 1969, the US Post Office issued a set of four stamps for the 11th International Botanical Congress (IBC). They were the first US stamps that honored flora from each of the four corners of the United States and the first to include Latin names.
