This Day In History

Today, June 25th

Recent stories…

#564 1923 12c Cleveland, perf 11
June 24, 1908

Death of President Grover Cleveland

America’s 22nd and 24th president, Grover Cleveland, died on June 24, 1908, in Princeton, New Jersey. He was America’s first president to serve two non-consecutive terms and was known for his honesty and integrity.

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#1431 - 1971 8c Antarctic Treaty
June 23, 1971

Last Stamp Issued by the Post Office Department

On June 23, 1971, the Post Office issued its last commemorative stamp as a cabinet-level department. It was reorganized as the United States Postal Service, a corporation-like independent agency of the federal government.

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#O25 - 1873 1c Purple, Department of Justice, Franklin, Hard Paper
June 22, 1870

Department of Justice Established 

On June 22, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill into law creating the US Department of Justice. While the position of attorney general had existed in a part time capacity for decades, it was elevated to a full-time position as head of the new Department of Justice with increased responsibilities.

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# 3182e - 1998 32c Celebrate the Century - 1900s: St. Louis World Fair
June 21, 1893

Premiere of the First Ferris Wheel

On June 21, 1893, the Ferris wheel debuted at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. One of the fair’s most popular attractions, it had over one million riders over the course of the fair.

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More Statehood stories…

# 1232 - 1963 5c West Virginia Statehood
June 20, 1863

West Virginia Becomes 35th State 

On June 20, 1863, West Virginia joined the Union as the 35th state. It had formed from the western counties of Virginia which disagreed with the state’s decision to secede during the Civil War.

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# 2343 - 1988 25c Bicentenary Statehood: South Carolina Statehood
May 23, 1788

South Carolina Admitted to the Union

On May 23, 1788, South Carolina ratified the Constitution, making it America’s eighth state.

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# 1092 - 1957 3¢ Oklahoma Statehood
April 22, 1889

Oklahoma Land Run

On April 22, 1889, the first land rush into the Unassigned Lands of Oklahoma kicked off at high noon. By evening, 50,000 families settled in Oklahoma and two cities were established with populations over 10,000 each.

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1986 22¢ Republic of Texas
April 21, 1836

Battle of San Jacinto 

On April 21, 1836, Texan soldiers led a swift attack on an unsuspecting Mexican force at the Battle of San Jacinto. It was the final, decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.

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More stories from June 25th…

1918-22 1¢ Stock Transfer Stamp, carmine rose, horizontal overprint, perf 11
June 25, 1918

Stock Transfer Stamps 

On June 25, 1918, Stock Transfer stamps were approved for use. These stamps showed that the taxes had been paid on the sale or transfer of shares or certificates of stock.

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#C25 - 1941 6c Rotary Press
June 25, 1941

Twin-Motored Transport Plane Airmails

On June 25, 1941, the US Post Office Department issued the first in a new series of Airmail stamps picturing a twin-motored transport plane.  These stamps would carry mail across the US and around the globe throughout World War II.

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1988 65¢ Great Americans: H. H. 'Hap' Arnold
June 25, 1886

Happy Birthday Henry “Hap” Arnold

General of the Air Force Henry “Hap” Arnold was born on June 25, 1886, in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He was an early supporter of military air power, and later became the Air Force’s first five-star general.

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#3502i - 2001 34c American Illustrator Rose O'Neill
June 25, 1874

Birth of Rose O’Neill

Illustrator and writer Rose Cecil O’Neill was born on June 25, 1874, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. O’Neill was the highest-paid female illustrator of her time, most famous for creating Kewpie, the most well-known cartoon character until Mickey Mouse.

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