Texas Admitted to the Union
On December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted as America’s 28th state. Texas joined the US after 10 years as an independent republic.
Civil War
Birth of Clara Barton
Clara Barton was born on December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts. She was known as the “Angel of the Battlefield” during the Civil War and later founded the American Red Cross.
Birth of Kit Carson
Christopher Houston Carson was born December 24, 1809, in Richmond, Kentucky. Better known as Kit Carson, his contributions to the westward expansion of the United States rank him as one of the nation’s great folk heroes.
Army & Navy Issue
On December 15, 1936, the first of 10 stamps in the Army/Navy Set was issued. The stamps honor 18 military leaders from the Revolutionary War to Spanish-American War.
Founding of the National Grange
On December 4, 1867, Oliver Hudson Kelley established the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. The Grange organized America’s farmers into a powerful political and economic group that lobbied for “Granger Laws.”
Statue of Freedom Completed
On December 2, 1863, the Statue of Freedom was placed atop the US Capitol to a 35-gun salute. The ceremony was held in the midst of the Civil War – President Lincoln had insisted the Capitol be completed as a symbol of American unity.
Death of Robert E. Lee
On October 12, 1870, Confederate General Robert E. Lee died in Lexington, Virginia. Lee had a distinguished 32-year career with the US military before joining the Confederacy in the Civil War. After the war, he stood as a symbol of reconciliation.
First Overland Mail Delivery
On October 10, 1858, the first shipment of overland mail arrived in San Francisco. It completed its journey in 23 days, a vast improvement over previous services.
Birth of Francis Parkman
American historian Francis Parkman was born on September 16, 1823, in Boston, Massachusetts. His books have often been praised as both useful historical texts and enjoyable literature.