Happy Birthday George Marshall
US #1289 from the Prominent Americans series.
Born on December 31, 1880, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, George C. Marshall was a distant relative of former Chief Justice John Marshall.
Marshall decided early on to embark on a career in the military and attended the Virginia Military Institute. While there he was an All-Southern tackle for the VMI Keydets football team.
US #937 was issued the year after Smith died.
Alfred Emanuel Smith was born on December 30, 1873, in New York City, New York.
Smith’s father was a Civil War veteran who had fought with the 11th New York Fire Zouaves. When Smith was 13, his father died, after which he dropped out of school to work at a fish market to help support the family.
Another Victory for Old Ironsides
US #951 was issued for the Constitution’s 150th anniversary.
On December 29, 1812, the USS Constitution scored another American victory at sea in the War of 1812.
Named for the document that established our nation’s laws, the USS Constitution was built in a Boston shipyard between 1794 and 1797. Its massive 204-foot-long oak hull was made from trees from Massachusetts, Maine, and Georgia. The Constitution was launched on October 21, 1797.
US #623 was based on a photo from Wilson’s wife, likely taken during his second term. Click the image to buy.
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was born on December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia, the third of four children.
Wilson’s family fiercely defended the Confederate cause, but also set up a Sunday school for their slaves. Reportedly, one of Wilson’s earliest memories was hearing Robert E. Lee say that Abraham Lincoln had been elected and that war was coming.
US #4414d from the Early TV Memories sheet. Click the image to buy.
On December 27, 1947, Howdy Doody made his television debut on Puppet Playhouse. Howdy Doody was one of the first TV programs made for children and produced in color.
US #1064 was issued for the 150th anniversary of the academy. Click the picture to buy.
On December 26, 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts was founded – the first and oldest art museum and art school in the country. The Academy was the brainchild of artist Charles Willson Peale, sculptor Benjamin Rush, and other artists and businessmen.
