On March 11, 1980, the USPS removed all the stamps it had issued for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Moscow from sale as part of an American boycott of the games. According the USPS, this was the first time they removed stamps from sale for political reasons since the Civil War.
On March 9, 1858, iron manufacturer Albert Potts of Philadelphia patented an early mail collection box. His mailbox was affixed to a lamp post for the convenience of mailers.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was born on March 8, 1841, in Boston, Massachusetts. Known as “The Great Dissenter,” he is one of the best-known American judges, serving on the Supreme Court for 30 years.
On March 7, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell received the patent for the telephone. Three days later, Bell transmitted the first recognizable words over a telephone line.
On March 6, 1836, the Battle of the Alamo came to an end. “Remember the Alamo!” became the battle cry of the Texas independence struggle.
On March 4, 1789, the US Congress met for the first time under the terms of the recently ratified US Constitution. March 4th would remain a significant date for many years as it would be the last day of Congress’ two-year sessions and the day presidents were inaugurated.
One of America’s oldest railroads, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, was first established on February 28, 1827. The railroad was at the forefront of transportation history for decades – pioneer the use of steam engines to electric and beyond.
On February 27, 1860, Abraham Lincoln gave one of the most important speeches of his career – the Cooper Union Address.
On February 26, 1929, President Calvin Coolidge signed legislation creating Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.