Effigy Mounds National Monument
Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa was established on October 25, 1949. The monument protects and interprets the history behind about 200 mounds built by Native Americans centuries ago.
This Day in History
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George Washington Bridge
On October 24, 1931, the George Washington Bridge was dedicated, officially opening to traffic the next day. One of the world’s busiest bridges, the George Washington Bridge is also the world’s only 14-lane suspension bridge.
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Cumberland Island National Seashore
On October 23, 1972, Cumberland Island National Seashore was officially established in Georgia. Cumberland Island is the largest sea island in the southeastern United States and the most biodiverse of Georgia’s barrier islands.
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Highway Beautification Act
On October 22, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Highway Beautification Act into law. The law had been spearheaded by his wife, and was even nicknamed after her, called “Lady Bird’s Bill.”
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Battle of Ball’s Bluff
The Civil War Battle of Ball’s Bluff was fought in Loudoun County, Virginia on October 21, 1861. Though a minor battle and loss for the Union, it had some long-lasting effects on the war and some interesting historical connections.
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Birth of John Dewey
John Dewey was born on October 20, 1859, in Burlington, Vermont. A philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, he proposed educational theories that shaped education in America in the 20th century.
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Ohio River Canalization Stamp
On October 19, 1929, the US Post Office issued a 2¢ commemorative honoring the canalization of the Ohio River. It came as the culmination of over 50 years of work on the project, which was a major engineering feat.
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Territorial Series
On October 18, 1937, the US Post Office issued the first stamp in a new series honoring the overseas territories of the United States. These stamps chronicled decades of US territorial expansion.
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The Kearny Incident
On October 17, 1941, a US ship was attacked and damaged by the Germans for the first time during World War II. This quickly led to escalated tensions and the sinking of the first US ship by the end of the month.
