Birth of James Oglethorpe
On December 22, 1696, James Oglethorpe was born in Surrey, England. He settled the Georgia Colony in 1733 and served as its leader for a decade.
American History
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Death of General George Patton
On December 21, 1945, General George S. Patton died from injuries he received in a car crash 12 days earlier. His death came mere months after the end of World War II, in which he’d commanded troops in some of the war’s major battles.
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Death of Sacagawea
December 20, 1812, is generally believed to be the day that Sacagawea died in Kenel, South Dakota. She’s best known as one of the guides on Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery.
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New Jersey Becomes 3rd State
On December 18, 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify the Constitution and join the Union.
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Death of Lakota Leader Sitting Bull
On December 15, 1890, Indian agency police on the Standing Rock Reservation killed Sitting Bull. A respected Lakota leader, he had a major influence on the Battle of Little Big Horn and was later part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.
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Birth Of Aviator Jimmy Doolittle
James “Jimmy” Doolittle was born on December 14, 1896, in Alameda, California. A pioneering aviator with many “firsts” to his name, he’s best remembered as the leader and namesake of the “Doolittle” Raid on Japan during World War II.
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Battle of Fredericksburg
On December 13, 1862, Union forces launched a bloody attack during the Battle of Fredericksburg. However, the tide turned and it became one of the most one-sided battles of the war.
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Issue of America’s Most Artistic Stamp
On December 12, 1908, the Post Office Department issued #E7, the 10¢ Helmet of Mercury Special Delivery stamp. Though unpopular at the time, many today consider it to be one of America’s most creative stamp designs.
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Indiana Becomes 19th U.S. State
On December 11, 1816, Indiana was admitted to the Union. While the young state initially struggled, it eventually grew to become the nation’s 17th most populous state!
