America’s first First Lady was born Martha Dandridge on June 2, 1731 (by the Old Style calendar), on her parents’ Chestnut Grove Plantation near Williamsburg, Virginia. After leading several initiatives to involve women in the Revolutionary War, Martha established many of the responsibilities and traditions of the office of first lady.
Artist Charles Willson Peale was born on April 15, 1741, in Chester, Province of Maryland. A prolific artist from the Revolutionary era, he painted more than 1,100 portraits, including several of George Washington.
On April 12, 1792, Montauk Point Light was authorized by President George Washington. It was the first lighthouse built in the state of New York and one of the first public works projects of the United States.
On February 20, 1792, George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, creating the US Post Office.
On January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered the very first State of the Union address at Federal Hall in New York City. It started a long tradition that continues to this day.
On December 29, 1908, the US Post Office Department issued its first coil stamps on a national scale. These stamps ushered in a new era in both mail delivery and philately.
On the night of December 25, 1776, George Washington led his men across the Delaware River in a surprise attack on the British. Their victory at Trenton was a significant morale booster – encouraging troops to reenlist and convincing new recruits to join the fight.
America’s first president, George Washington, died on December 14, 1799. He served his country for 45 of his 67 years, and is remembered as the Father of our Country, hero of the American Revolution, and first president of the United States. Today, we’ll look back on some interesting facts from his life…
On December 2, 1763, the Touro Synagogue was officially dedicated after four years of construction. Today, it’s the oldest standing synagogue in the US.