This Day In History

The Pan-American Exposition opened to the public on May 1, 1901, in Buffalo, New York. That same day the set of six Pan-American stamps went on sale.

On April 30, 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition opened to the public. The largest fair up to that time, opening day also marked the issue of a set of five stamps commemorating the exposition and the purchase.

On April 29, 1961, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded. The world’s largest conservation organization, the WWF supports around 3,000 projects in 100 countries.

On April 28, 1948, Fort Sumter National Monument was established to preserve the site where the opening shots of the Civil War were fired. Twelve years later, nearby Fort Moultrie was added to the protected area. Together, they honor and preserve generations of American seacoast defense from the American Revolution to World War II.

On April 18, 1923, the Yankees played their first game in “The House that Ruth Built.”

On December 26, 1919, Babe Ruth was sold by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees, ushering in the long-standing superstitious Curse of the Bambino.

Andrew “Rube” Foster died on December 9, 1930. Known as the “Father of Black Baseball,” he created the Negro National League, the first major professional baseball league for African American athletes.

Baseball player Ty Cobb got his 4,000th hit, a first in the sport’s history, on July 18, 1927. In all, he set about 90 records during his career, some of which still stand today.

On May 2, 1908, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” was submitted to the US Copyright Office.  Neither of the men involved in its creation had ever seen a baseball game.

On May 2, 1863, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson was mortally wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville. Regarded as a gifted tactical commander, his death was a major blow to the confederacy.

Edward Trowbridge Collins was born on May 2, 1887, in Millerton, New York.  Playing 25 seasons in the major leagues, he played in six World Series, still holds several records, and is considered one of the best second basemen in the sport’s history.

On May 2, 1749, the House of Burgesses approved the creation of a town that would become Alexandria, Virginia. George Washington helped plan the town’s street systems and Alexandria was part of the US capital for several years.