First Credit Union in the US
The first credit union in the United States opened its doors on November 24, 1908, in Manchester, New Hampshire, marking a historic moment in American financial history.
This Day in History
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US Tests Female Mail Carriers in Cities
In the midst of World War I, a major change quietly began in the United States Postal Service: for the first time, women were seriously tested as city letter carriers. On November 23, 1917, First Assistant Postmaster General John C. Koons issued a call to the postmasters of eight of the largest US post offices to run 15-day trials of women serving as letter carriers in the city. This experiment was described as a potential wartime necessity, because many men were off fighting, and extra postal workers were already needed to handle the heavy Christmas mail in December.
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Birth of Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams, America’s second First Lady, lived a life shaped by intelligence, resilience, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Born Abigail Smith on November 22, 1744 (November 11 in the Old Style calendar) in Weymouth, Massachusetts, she grew up during a time when girls were rarely encouraged to pursue learning. Yet Abigail’s curiosity, sharp mind, and determination made her one of the most influential women of the Revolutionary era. Her letters, ideas, and leadership helped shape the emerging nation, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire Americans today.
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North Carolina Enters the Union
On November 21, 1789, North Carolina was admitted as the 12th state of the union. It had been the first state to reject the Constitution, but finally ratified after the Bill of Rights was created.
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Battle of Tarawa Begins
On November 20, 1943, US troops launched the Battle of Tarawa, the first American offensive in the central Pacific region of World War II. A turning point in the Pacific War, it saw effective use of the America’s newly developed island-hopping strategy and provided important lessons for future invasions.
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Birth of President James Garfield
The last of the “log cabin presidents,” James A. Garfield was born November 19, 1831, near Cleveland, Ohio, to impoverished farmers. Rising from those humble beginnings, he forged a remarkable path as a scholar, Civil War general, and eventually the country’s 20th president.
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The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
On November 18, 1865, Mark Twain published an early version of “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” in The New York Saturday Press, bringing him his first real taste of national fame. Although he would later become one of America’s most important writers, this humorous frontier tale was the piece that launched his career and revealed his talent for storytelling, satire, and capturing the voices of everyday people.
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First Americans Sight Antarctica
On November 17, 1820, American sealer Nathaniel Brown Palmer and his small crew made history when they became the first Americans to see the icy continent of Antarctica. Their sighting marked an important moment in early American exploration and opened a new chapter in the world’s understanding of the far southern regions of the globe.
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Oklahoma Becomes 46th State
On November 16, 1907, Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory were merged to create the state of Oklahoma. The new state emerged at a moment of rapid change, blending Native nations, frontier settlements, and booming oil discoveries into one of the most diverse and dynamic regions in early 20th-century America.
