Ohio Becomes 17th State
On March 1, 1803, Ohio was admitted as the 17th state of the Union. Named for the Ohio River, the word Ohio comes from the Seneca people, meaning “great river.”
American History
Start of the Literary Arts Series
On February 27, 1979, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Literary Arts Series honoring author John Steinbeck. The series has continued for 45 years, honoring 35 writers from a variety of backgrounds.
Creation of the 15th Amendment
On February 26, 1869, the US Senate passed the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, giving people of all races and colors the right to vote. The Amendment would be ratified and become official US law a year later.
The Zimmermann Telegram
On February 24, 1917, British officials shared the Zimmermann Telegram with US President Woodrow Wilson, revealing a German plot to incite a war between the US and Mexico.
Birth of W.E.B. Du Bois
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. A founding member of the NAACP, he was a leading civil rights activist.
Malcolm X Assassinated
On February 21, 1965, activist Malcolm X was assassinated in New York City.
First American Orbit of Earth
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard his Friendship 7 capsule.
Birth of Mary Breckinridge
Nurse midwife Mary Carson Breckinridge was born on February 17, 1881, in Memphis, Tennessee. She founded the Frontier Nursing Service, which helped vastly improve healthcare in rural areas.
Battle to Recapture Corregidor
On February 16, 1945, the first of 7,000 American troops arrived at Corregidor, ready to retake the important Pacific outpost. A total of 174,000 soldiers would join in the battle, securing the island in 10 days.