Writer Francis Bret Harte was born on August 25, 1836, in Albany, New York. His stories of California mining camps later brought him national fame and gave eastern readers a vivid, if literary, picture of life in the American West.
Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku (also known as “The Duke” and “The Big Kahuna”) was born on August 24, 1890, in Haleʻākala, Honolulu, Kingdom of Hawaii. Duke was a record-setting Olympic swimmer who helped popularize surfing outside of Hawaii.
On August 23, 1784, an American merchant ship unfurled the Stars and Stripes for the first time in China. The Chinese dubbed it the “Flower Flag,” and its passengers, “flower flag countrymen,” a name that endures today.
On August 22, 1970, the US Post Office issued the first stamp in the American Poet Series. The series honored seven prolific American poets.
On August 21, 1770, James Cook landed on the eastern coast of Australia and named the land New South Wales.
On August 22, 1970, the US Post Office issued the first stamp in the American Poet Series. The series honored seven prolific American poets.
Ogden Nash was born on August 19, 1902, in Rye, New York. Having written over 500 poems during his life, Nash is considered America’s best-known humorous poet.
American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, while on a trip with former president Franklin Pierce to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.
Lyman Frank Baum was born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York, about 30 miles from Mystic’s home in Camden. Long before he created Dorothy, Toto, and the Yellow Brick Road, Baum followed a winding path through printing, stamps, poultry, theater, newspapers, sales work, and children’s books.
On August 25, 1944, the Red Ball Express truck convoy system opened to help rush supplies to soldiers at the front. It eventually helped to transport 3.5 tons of supplies per minute.
On August 25, 1944, Allied troops liberated Paris, France after four years of Nazi occupation.
Leonard (Louis) Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. One of the most famous conductors of his time, he was the first American conductor to earn international praise.
Decades after the first national park was created, the National Park Service (NPS) was officially established on August 25, 1916. The service has grown to include over 400 areas, covering over 84 million acres.
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