On February 21, 1828, the first Native American newspaper, utilizing Sequoyah’s Cherokee Syllabary, was printed. The paper presented official laws and documents of the Cherokee nation as well as local and national news.
On February 20, 1792, George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, creating the US Post Office.
On February 18, 1939, the Golden Gate International Exposition opened in San Francisco, California. Initially planned to honor the completion of the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, it was expanded to honor all the countries and continents surrounding the Pacific.
On February 16, 1804, Stephen Decatur led a surprise assault on the captured USS Philadelphia in Tripoli. Part of the First Barbary War, the assault was intended to keep the Tripolitans from salvaging the damaged ship for their own use.
On February 15, 1943, the famed Rosie the Riveter “We Can Do It” poster was first displayed in Westinghouse factories.
On February 14, 1998, the first National Donor Day was held in the US. The annual event is held to raise awareness of the need for organ and tissue donations and to honor those who have donated, those who have received donations, and those we lost before donations became available.
On February 11, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation establishing Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. The 33,677-acre park protects ancient pueblo structures and is home to a notable Civilian Conservation Corp district.
On February 10, 1941, the first Highway Post Office began service in the United States. These Highway Post Offices provided mail service to areas that didn’t have passenger train service to bring in the mail.
On February 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America was officially founded. The world’s largest youth organization, the Boy Scouts has grown from a British youth group to a worldwide movement with members in almost every country around the globe.