Birth of General Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was born on June 13, 1786, in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Nicknamed “Old Fuss and Feathers” and the “Grand Old Man of the Army,” he was one of America’s longest-serving military commanders.
Military
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Confederate Postal Service Begins
On June 1, 1861, the Confederate States of America took control of their own postal operations. With several months before official postage stamps would be ready, some cities produced their own postmaster’s provisional stamps to keep mail moving during this time.
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Opening of the USS Arizona Memorial
On May 30, 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial was officially opened to the public. A tribute to those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, it’s visited by two million people per year and is a National Historic Landmark.
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National World War II Memorial
On May 29, 2004, George W. Bush led the official dedication ceremony for the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. More than 150,000 people attended the dedication ceremony, which included music, videos, newsreels, and speeches.
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America Issues First Airmail Stamp
On May 13, 1918, the United States issued its first airmail stamp – US #C3. It carried America’s first airmail two days later, and sparked one of the world’s most famous stamp rarities.
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Taylor Wins the Battle of Palo Alto
On May 8, 1846, future President Zachary Taylor led US forces to their first major victory of the Mexican-American War at the Battle of Palo Alto.
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“In Flanders Fields”
On May 3, 1915, Canadian physician John McCrae penned the poem, “In Flanders Fields,” in honor of a fallen fellow soldier following the Second Battle of Ypres. The poem became a rallying cry among Allied nations to continue fighting and support the war effort.
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Stonewall Jackson Mortally Wounded
On May 2, 1863, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was mortally wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville. Regarded as a gifted tactical commander, his death was a major blow to the confederacy.
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Edward R. Murrow
Edward Roscoe Murrow was born on April 25, 1908, in Guilford County, North Carolina. A respected radio and television news reporter for 30 years, he’s considered one of America’s major figures in the field of journalism.
