First Woman Elected to the U.S. Senate
On January 12, 1932, Hattie Caraway became the first women elected to serve in the United States Senate.
This Day in History
Connecticut Becomes Fifth State
On January 9, 1788, Connecticut ratified the US Constitution, making it the fifth state to join the young United States.
First Known Mail Delivered by Air
On January 7, 1785, mail was carried by an air vehicle for the first time.
Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms
On January 6, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt gave his “Four Freedoms” speech while delivering the State of the Union Address.
Birth of the Space Shuttle Program
On January 5, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed legislation authorizing the creation of America’s first space shuttle, the “world’s first reusable spacecraft.”
Birth of Everett Dirksen
Statesman Everett McKinley Dirksen was born on January 4, 1896, in Pekin, Illinois.
March of Dimes
On January 3, 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt established the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, later renamed the March of Dimes.
Birth of Oscar Micheaux
Author, director, and producer Oscar Devereaux Micheaux was born on January 2, 1884, in Metropolis, Illinois.
Washington Bicentennial
On January 1, 1932, the US Post Office Department issued a set of 12 stamps honoring the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth.