On August 9, 1974, Gerald Ford was inaugurated president following Richard Nixon’s resignation. Ford was the first person to serve as both vice president and president without winning election to either office.
On August 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed legislation establishing the Fulbright Program. An international exchange program, the Fulbright Scholarship is considered one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.
Connecticut senator and chairman of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy Brien McMahon died on July 28, 1952, in Washington, DC.
On July 27, 1789, the Department of Foreign Affairs was created, which was later renamed the Department of State. It was the first department established under the US Constitution and its primary role is to help the President develop and carry out a foreign policy.
On July 26, 1775, former deputy postmaster general of the American colonies, Ben Franklin, was made the first postmaster general of the United States. He revolutionized mail service in the young nation at a crucial time in our history.
On July 23, 1966, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park was established in Vincennes, Indiana. The park honors this Revolutionary War hero and his role in the expansion of the Northwest Territory.
On July 18, 1894, the post office issued the first US postage stamp printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). for the next 75 years, the BEP produced nearly all US stamps.
On July 16, 1934, the first stamp in the National Parks Series was issued, honoring Yosemite National Park. The series was issued to raise awareness of America’s national parks, and was part of the Infamous Farley’s Follies…
On July 5, 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 into law. The basis of modern US labor law, it guarantees private sector employees the right to organize in trade unions, bargain collectively, and strike.