Birth of William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was born September 15, 1857, near Cincinnati, Ohio. To date, he’s the the only person to serve as both US president and chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Government
The Battle of Lake Erie
On September 10, 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry won an important War of 1812 victory on Lake Erie. That victory helped change the course of the war, leading to America’s absolute independence from Britain.
Proprietary Stamps
On September 2, 1871, the first Proprietary stamps with their own Scott designation (RB) were issued. These stamps paid the taxes on consumer goods, such as medicines, matches, perfumes, playing cards, canned foods, and more.
Beer Stamps
On September 1, 1866, the first US Beer stamps were issued. The first stamps issued for use on alcoholic beverages, they remained in use until 1951.
Champions of Liberty Series
On August 31, 1957, the US Post Office issued an 8¢ stamp honoring Ramon Magsaysay, the first stamp in a new Champions of Liberty Series. The stamps honor patriots who struggled courageously to protect their homelands from tyranny and further the cause of freedom.
Potato Stamps
On August 24, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Potato Control Law, which led to the creation of short-lived Potato stamps.
Kearny Expedition
On August 18, 1846, Stephen W. Kearny declared himself military governor of the New Mexico Territory. He had captured Santa Fe without firing a shot, as part of the Kearny Expedition.
Work Begins on the Berlin Wall
When the Nazis were defeated in World War II, Germany was divided into two countries. Shortly after midnight on August 13, 1961, East German soldiers laid barbed wire and bricks, creating the Berlin Wall.
Birth of the Smithsonian Institution
After a decade of debates, the Smithsonian Institution was established on August 10, 1846. Nicknamed “the nation’s attic,” it houses more than 154 million items and is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex.