This Day in History… January 14, 1784

Posted on January 14, 2020 by MysticStamp

Ratification Day 

US #2052 was issued for the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Paris. Click the image to order.

On January 14, 1784, the Confederation Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the American Revolutionary War.

In 1782, it became apparent to the British that the Colonies would soon win their independence.  Negotiations began in Paris that April.  John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay represented the United States and Davis Hartley, a member of the parliament, spoke on behalf of King George III.

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Posted in January 2020, This Day in History | 3 Comments

This Day in History… January 13, 1832

Posted on January 13, 2020 by MysticStamp

Birth of Horatio Alger 

US #2010 pictures some of Alger’s “rags to riches” characters. Click the image to order.

Horatio Alger, Jr. was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on January 13, 1832.

Alger was the son of a Unitarian minister and his forefathers had settled Plymouth, attended the Constitutional Convention, and fought in the War of 1812.

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This Day in History… January 12, 1983

Posted on January 12, 2020 by MysticStamp

Return of Official Mail Stamps 

US #O127 was issued on this day in 1983.  Click the image to order.

On January 12, 1983, Official Mail stamps were issued for the first time in 72 years.

The roots of Official stamps stretch back nearly 200 years.  In 1791, Congress met and passed an act establishing post offices and routes in the United States. One of the clauses of the act allowed for franking privileges.

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This Day in History… January 11, 1885

Posted on January 11, 2020 by MysticStamp

Birth of Alice Paul

US #2943 was the first 78¢ US stamp.

Suffragist Alice Paul was born on January 11, 1885, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

The oldest of four children, she was a descendant of William Penn (the founder of Pennsylvania).  Paul first became acquainted with the suffrage movement through her mother, a member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and would attend their meetings as a child.

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This Day in History… January 10, 1867

Posted on January 10, 2020 by MysticStamp

Birth of John A. Lejeune

US #3961 from the Distinguished Marines issue. Click the image to order.

Marine Corps Commandant John Archer Lejeune was born on January 10, 1867, in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana. 

Lejeune was the son of a Confederate Army Captain.  He graduated second in his class from the US Naval Academy in 1888 before completing a two-year cruise as a midshipman.  Lejeune was then appointed to Naval Engineering but wanted to join the Marines.

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This Day in History… January 9, 1861

Posted on January 9, 2020 by MysticStamp

First Shots of the Civil War?

US #1178 was issued for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Sumter, which occurred just three months after the Star of the West incident.

On January 9, 1861, Southern rebels fired on an American ship attempting to resupply Fort Sumter.  Some consider these to be the opening shots of the Civil War.

After South Carolina seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860, the locals demanded that the Federals leave the garrison at Fort Sumter. Though President James Buchanan refused to evacuate the fort, he also decided not to take any action that might incite a riot among the Southerners.

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Posted in January 2020, This Day in History | 3 Comments