This Day In History

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.

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.

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.

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.

On December 22, 1910, the US Post Office Department issued its first Postal Savings Official Mail stamp. These stamps were part of an innovative effort to help everyday Americans save money safely, especially in rural areas and among working-class citizens. Though the stamps were short-lived, they remain a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century financial history.

On December 18, 1918, war-torn and recently independent Latvia issued its first stamps, printed on the back of German military maps.

On December 1, 1921, the US Post Office Department opened its Philatelic Agency in Washington, DC, to the benefit of stamp collectors. It became a valuable resource for stamp information and fulfilled requests for stamps – and was sometimes the only place to get certain issues!

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.

Paul Revere was born on January 1, 1735, according to the modern calendar in the North End of Boston. In 1775, he went on a famous ride to warn of the arrival of British troops. After the war, he earned a name for himself as a silversmith.

On January 1, 1913, the US Post Office Department initiated its Parcel Post Service for fourth-class mail. The stamps were short-lived but have long been praised for their detail and fine engraving.

On January 1, 1911, Henry Benjamin Greenberg was born in New York City, New York. One of the greatest sluggers in baseball history, he put his career on hold to serve 47 months with the Army during World War II, the most of any major league player.

On January 1, 1893, the majority the Columbian stamps were first placed on sale in large cities. The Columbians are some of America’s most famous and sought-after stamps, and are considered the first US commemorative stamps.