Birth of Horace Greeley
Newspaper publisher Horace Greeley was born on February 3, 1811, in Amherst, New Hampshire. His newspapers championed a number of causes, including abolition, temperance, railroads, and westward expansion.
This Day in History
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Opening of Grand Central Terminal
At 12:01 a.m. on February 2, 1913, Grand Central Terminal officially opened in New York City. Today it’s the third busiest train station in North America and has more platforms than any other in the world, with 44.
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Voice of America
On February 1, 1942, Voice of America provided its first international broadcast. It provided important news and entertainment throughout the war and is still in operation today.
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Happy Birthday Jackie Robinson
Baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. He was the first African American baseball player in the major leagues and had an impressive decade-long career that earned respect and admiration.
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First National Marine Sanctuary
On January 30, 1975, the USS Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was established off the coast of North Carolina. It was America’s first national marine sanctuary created under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, passed three years earlier.
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Famous Americans Series Begins
On January 29, 1940, the US Post Office Department issued the first stamps in the Famous Americans Series. It honors 35 Americans from 7 professions based on recommendations submitted by the public.
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First Cut-to-Shape US Stamps
On January 28, 1999, the USPS issued its first stamps to be cut in the shape of the image. The stamps were die-cut in the shape of Victorian Valentines.
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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.
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First US Love Stamp
On January 26, 1973, the USPS issued its first Love stamp. It was years before the next Love stamp was issued and even longer before the USPS officially declared it a series.
