This Day in History

  • Devils Tower Becomes First American National Monument

    On September 24, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt took a historic step in the protection of America’s natural and cultural treasures when he proclaimed Devils Tower in northeastern Wyoming as the first United States National Monument. This designation, made under the brand-new Antiquities Act of 1906, marked the beginning of a tradition of preserving special landscapes for future generations — a legacy that continues today in more than a hundred national monuments across the country.

  • John Paul Jones’s Victory at Flamborough Head

    On September 23, 1779, one of the most famous naval battles of the American Revolution took place in the cold waters off the coast of England. It was here that John Paul Jones, a daring and determined naval commander, led his small squadron of American ships against a powerful British convoy. The Battle of Flamborough Head would not only be a dramatic moment in the war but would also help cement Jones’s reputation as one of the boldest naval commanders in history.

  • “Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus”

    On September 21, 1897, The Sun, a New York City newspaper, published what would become one of the most famous editorials ever written. It was titled simply, “Is There a Santa Claus?” but is better known today as “Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus.” The editorial was written in response to a letter from an eight-year-old girl named Virginia O’Hanlon, whose simple question sparked an answer that has inspired generations.

  • The World Series of Philately

    On September 19, 1968, the American Philatelic Society (APS) officially introduced the World Series of Philately (WSP)—one of the most prestigious competitive platforms in US stamp exhibiting. The WPS came as a result of years of requests from serious collectors for a way to highlight top-tier exhibits at a national level.

  • Old Faithful Geyser 

    On September 18, 1870, a group of explorers stood on the banks of the Firehole River and watched as a geyser erupted in a towering column of steam and water. Amazed by its power and regularity, they gave it a name that has endured for more than 150 years — Old Faithful.

  • Battle of Harlem Heights

    The Battle of Harlem Heights, fought on September 16, 1776, was one of the most important early morale-boosting victories for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It came at a time when General George Washington and his troops were reeling from several defeats and desperately needed a reason to believe they could stand against the powerful British Army. Though the battle was relatively small compared to others in the war, it played an important role in lifting the spirits of the American troops and proving that they could go toe-to-toe with the British on the battlefield.