Birth of Robert Millikan
Physicist Robert Andrews Millikan was born on March 22, 1868, in Morrison, Illinois. He won the 1923 Nobel Prize for Physics for his work on the photoelectric effect.
World War I
Birth of Thomas Masaryk
Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk was born on March 7, 1850, in Hodonín, Austrian Empire (present-day Czech Republic). He was the first president of Czechoslovakia and is considered its founding father.
Death of Billy Mitchell
On February 19, 1936, Billy Mitchell died in New York City. He’s often considered the father of the United States Air Force, having dedicated much of his career promoting air power in warfare.
First Contract Airmail Flight
On February 15, 1926, the first contract airmail flight was made between Michigan and Ohio. Three stamps were issued for this service during its first two years.
Creation of the U.S. Weather Bureau
On February 9, 1870, Ulysses S. Grant created the US Weather Bureau. Still in operation today as the National Weather Service, it provides weather forecasts and warnings for hazardous weather.
Happy Birthday Laura Ingalls Wilder
Acclaimed author Laura Ingalls Wilder was born on February 7, 1867, in Pepin County, Wisconsin. She retold stories from her childhood in the wildly popular Little House on the Prairie series, which went on to become a popular TV series as well.
Birth of Samuel Gompers
American labor union leader Samuel Gompers was born on January 27, 1850, in London, England. He helped found the American Federation of Labor (AFL), one of the largest unions of the day.
Happy Birthday George Marshall
Army general and statesman George C. Marshall was born on December 31, 1880. His leadership was instrumental in several conflicts and his plan helped Europe recover from World War II.
Birth of Edith Wharton
Author Edith Newbold Jones Wharton was born on January 24, 1862, in New York City, New York.