Birth of Jim Bridger
Mountain man James Felix Bridger was born on March 17, 1804, in Richmond, Virginia.
Army
Yellowstone Becomes First National Park
On March 1, 1872, president Ulysses S. Grant signed legislation establishing Yellowstone National Park, the first such park in the world.
Audie Murphy Earns Medal of Honor
On January 26, 1945, Audie Murphy single-handedly held off an entire company of German soldiers at the Colmar Pocket, an action that earned him the Medal of Honor.
Latvia’s First Stamps Printed on Maps!
On December 18, 1918, war-torn and recently independent Latvia issued its first stamps, printed on the back of German military maps.
Death of Henry Knox
On October 25, 1806, Henry Knox died near Thomaston, Massachusetts (present-day Maine).
Battle of Leyte Gulf
On October 23, 1944, the Allies launched the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific.
Burgoyne Surrenders At Saratoga
On October 17, 1777, British General Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga – one of the major American victories of the American Revolution.
Siege Of Yorktown Begins
On September 28, 1781, American forces launched the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War – the Siege of Yorktown.
Benedict Arnold Commits Treason
On September 21, 1780, American Revolutionary War General Benedict Arnold met with the British as part of a plan to hand over West Point – an act of treason.