Star Routes
On March 3, 1845, a congressional act established star routes. Businesses would carry mail under contract with the post office on these postal routes.
Government
Grand Teton National Park Established
On February 26, 1929, President Calvin Coolidge signed legislation creating Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.
Birth of John Foster Dulles
John Foster Dulles was born on February 25, 1888 in Washington, DC. Dulles helped draft the preamble of the United Nations Charter, worked with NATO, helped create SEATO, and was the 52nd US secretary of State.
Washington Establishes U.S. Post Office
On February 20, 1792, George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, creating the US Post Office.
Birth of Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois, on February 6, 1911. After a moderately successful acting career, he became America’s 40th president and is often considered an icon in the Republican Party.
Birth of Walter F. George
Politician Walter Franklin George was born on January 29, 1878, in Preston, Georgia. Representing Georgia in the US Senate for 35 years, he became one of the most powerful and respected men in Congress during his lifetime.
Paris Peace Accords
On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords ended US involvement in the Vietnam War. It marked the end of a decade of US presence in Vietnam, though the fighting would continue for two more years.
Ignacy Paderewski Becomes Prime Minister of Poland
On January 18, 1919, composer-turned statesman Ignacy Paderewski was sworn in as the first prime minister of newly independent Poland.
Universal Postal Union Colors
On January 17, 1898, the first US stamp created to conform to the change in colors recommended by the Universal Postal Union was issued. The UPU had recommended the standardization of colors to make international mail easier to process.