Arkansas Becomes 25th State
On June 15, 1836, Arkansas was admitted as the 25th state of the Union. Statehood was hotly debated for 25 hours before being approved and signed into law by President Andrew Jackson.
Government
Hawaii Becomes a US Territory
On June 14, 1900, Hawaii became a US territory and began using US stamps for its mail. Prior to that, Hawaii had been issuing its own stamps for nearly 50 years.
1957 International Naval Review
On June 12, 1957, the US hosted an International Naval Review that coincided with the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown colony.
Antiquities Act of 1906
On June 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act into law, giving him and future presidents the authority to create national monuments from federal lands.
Carmel Mission
On June 3, 1770, Franciscan friar Junipero Serra delivered the first church service at the Carmel Mission. It was was one of 21 missions he and his followers established along the California coast.
JFK Calls to Put a Man on the Moon
On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy delivered a speech to Congress announcing his plan to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
First Armed Forces Day
On May 20, 1950, the US first celebrated Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May, near the end of Armed Forces Week.
Formation of WAAC
On May 15, 1942, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established. The women of the WAAC filled important noncombatant jobs, freeing up thousands of men for combat.
Discovery of the Inverted Jenny
On May 14, 1918, stamp collector William Robey discovered the rare Inverted Jenny error sheet. One of the most famous US stamp errors, he found the only known sheet to reach public hands.