Birth of John Greenleaf Whittier
Author and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier was born on December 17, 1807, at his family’s rural homestead in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
This Day in History
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Colonists Revolt with Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, a group of Massachusetts colonists known as the Sons of Liberty staged a dramatic protest against British taxes – the famed Boston Tea Party.
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Army & Navy Issue
On December 15, 1936, the first of 10 stamps in the Army/Navy Set was issued. The stamps honor 18 military leaders from the Revolutionary War to Spanish-American War.
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Mariner 2 Flies By Venus
On December 14, 1962, Mariner 2 became the first spacecraft to fly by Venus. Mariner 2 sent back a wealth of data about the planet, revealing many facts unknown up to that point.
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National Guard Founded
On December 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony established its own militia, the precursor to America’s National Guard. Militias were later established in every state, eventually becoming the National Guard in 1916.
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Happy National Poinsettia Day!
On December 12, 2002, the US first celebrated National Poinsettia Day, honoring two of the men who helped make these festive plants popular in the US – Joel Roberts Poinsett and Paul Ecke, Jr.
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Birth of Fiorello La Guardia
Fiorello La Guardia, was born December 11, 1882, in Greenwich Village, New York. He was voted the best former mayor in America for his 12 years of leadership of New York City.
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Largest U.S. Postage Stamp
On December 10, 1997, the USPS issued its largest postage stamp, honoring the Mars Pathfinder. The stamp measures three inches by 1.5 inches and has special “USA” perforations.
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Debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas
On December 9, 1965, A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on television. It marked a number of firsts, won multiple awards, and became a holiday tradition for millions of Americans.
