On August 31, 1957, the US Post Office issued an 8¢ stamp honoring Ramon Magsaysay, the first stamp in a new Champions of Liberty Series. The stamps honor patriots who struggled courageously to protect their homelands from tyranny and further the cause of freedom.
On August 29, 1861, the first combined Union Army and Navy battle of the Civil War concluded at the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries. A Union victory a month after the defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run, it boosted morale in the North.
On August 25, 1944, Allied troops liberated Paris, France after four years of Nazi occupation.
On August 20, 1794, General “Mad Anthony” Wayne led American troops to victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. The win enabled the Treaty of Greenville and the US acquisition of the Ohio Territory.
On July 27, 1909, Orville Wright flew a plane a record one hour and 12 minutes. Nearly six years after their first historic powered airplane flight, the Wright brothers put their flight technology to the test, playing a major role in getting America’s Army airborne.
On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, calling for the end of racial discrimination in the US armed forces.
On July 12, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating a Medal of Honor to be awarded to members of the Army. Of the more than 3,500 medals of honor awarded since then, 1,520 were for Civil War service.
On July 3, 1863, Union forces turned the tide of the Civil War with their victory at the Battle of Gettysburg. It helped to raise morale in the North and was a major turning point in the war.
The Salvation Army was established as the East London Christian Mission on July 2, 1865. Now operating 133 countries, they’re currently assisting over four million people worldwide with over $57 million in donations.