Department of Agriculture
On February 9, 1889, the US Department of Agriculture attained cabinet-level status. The change was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland.
Government
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Motor Vehicle Use Tax Stamps
A tax on motor vehicle use went into effect on February 1, 1942, to help fund World War II. These short-lived stamps were meant to be displayed on the inside of the windshield, to easily show the tax had been paid.
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Mahatma Gandhi Assassinated
On January 30, 1948, a Hindu extremist assassinated Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi used civil disobedience and hunger strikes to fight discrimination and push for India’s independence from Great Britain, among many other causes.
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First January Presidential Inauguration Day
On January 20, 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first US president to be sworn in under the new rules of the 20th Amendment. Since then, every president has been sworn in on January 20.
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Birth of Daniel Webster
Daniel Webster was born in Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire on January 18, 1782. A successful lawyer and statesman, he negotiated an important treaty with Canada and served as Secretary of State under three presidents.
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore
On January 12, 1953, Cape Hatteras became America’s first national seashore. Stretched over 70 miles of barrier islands, this seashore is a fascinating combination of natural and cultural resources.
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Birth of Alice Paul
Alice Paul was born on January 11, 1885, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Paul was a leader in the women’s suffrage movement, staging protests and parades to gain support for the right to vote.
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Birth of Sam Rayburn
Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn was born on January 6, 1882, in Kingston, Tennessee. Famous for his integrity, Rayburn served as Speaker of the House of Representatives longer than anyone else and spent 49 consecutive years in Congress.
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Gadsden Purchase Settles Border Dispute
On December 30, 1853, the Gadsden Purchase was completed, adding over 29,000 square miles of land to the United States.
