NYC’s Lost Washington Monument
On October 19, 1847, a grand celebration proceeded the laying of the cornerstone of New York City’s planned 425-foot Washington Monument. The monument was never completed and the cornerstone was lost to time.
Military
First Supersonic Flight
On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first person to break the sound barrier. He reached a speed of 700 miles per hour and accelerated past Mach 1 – the speed of sound.
Death of Robert E. Lee
On October 12, 1870, Confederate General Robert E. Lee died in Lexington, Virginia. Lee had a distinguished 32-year career with the US military before joining the Confederacy in the Civil War. After the war, he stood as a symbol of reconciliation.
Lancaster Becomes U.S. Capital for a Day
On September 27, 1777, Lancaster, Pennsylvania served as the nation’s capital for a single day. During and after the Revolutionary War, the nation’s capital changed several times before settling in Washington, DC in 1800.
Gold Star Mothers Stamp
On September 21, 1948, the US Post Office issued the Gold Star Mothers stamp to honor mothers whose sons had been killed in war. It was the first stamp in eight years to feature women (or women’s organizations), and just the 11th stamp overall to do so.
Birth of Lajos Kossuth
Hungarian lawyer, statesman, and Governor-President Lajos Kossuth was born on September 19, 1802, in Monok, Kingdom of Hungary. Working for the independence of Hungary from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, he gained international acclaim and respect as a freedom fighter.
Birth of John J. Pershing
John Joseph “Black Jack” Pershing was born on September 13, 1860, in Laclede, Missouri. He led the American Expeditionary Forces in WWI and is the only person to be promoted to the Army’s highest rank (General of the Armies) during his lifetime
Washington Defeated at Brandywine
On September 11, 1777, George Washington’s forces lost the battle of Brandywine. It was the largest battle of the war, involving over 30,000 troops between both sides, and it was the second-longest single-day battle, lasting 11 hours.
California Admitted to the Union
On September 9, 1850, California became America’s 31st state. The discovery of gold there two years earlier created a population boom that led to the need for a state government.