Verrazzano Explores New York Harbor
On April 17, 1524, Giovanni da Verrazzano became the first European to see New York harbor.
This Day in History
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Emancipation Day in Washington, DC
On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. The act freed over 3,100 people enslaved in the US capital nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation would free all enslaved people in the US.
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Death of President Lincoln
On April 15, 1865, President Lincoln died less than 12 hours after being shot by John Wilkes Booth. He was the first US president to be assassinated, just as the Civil War was drawing to a close.
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The Titanic Sinks
One of the most well known maritime disasters in history occurred on April 14, 1912, when the Titanic hit an iceberg and sank.
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American Folk Art Series
On April 13, 1977, the USPS issued the first stamps in the American Folk Art Series. The Folk Art Series honored important and lesser-known items in American art and culture.
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First US Forever Stamp Issued
On April 12, 2007, the USPS issued its first Forever stamp, which featured a patriotic image of the Liberty Bell. Since 2011, all first-class stamps have been Forever stamps.
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USS Holland
On April 11, 1900, the US Navy acquired the USS Holland, their first modern commissioned submarine.
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ASPCA
On April 10, 1866, Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The first animal welfare organization in North America, it remains committed to sheltering abandoned animals and offering adoption programs, among other services.
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Lee Surrenders at Appomattox
On April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. The respect both men showed toward each other led the surrender to be called “The Gentlemen’s Agreement.”
