Happy Birthday Jackie Kennedy
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born on July 28, 1929, in Southampton, New York. As first lady from 1961-63, she worked to restore the White House and historic landmarks, among other projects.
Government
Brigham Young Establishes Mormon Homeland in Salt Lake City, Utah
After 17 months of travel searching for a new home for his persecuted people, Brigham Young found Utah’s Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847 and proclaimed, “This is the place.”
Death Of Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman, the only man in US history to sign America’s four most important documents (the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution) died on July 23, 1793.
1980 Summer Olympics
On July 19, 1980, the Summer Olympic Games opened in Moscow, Soviet Union. They were the first Olympics to be held in Eastern Europe. The US was among 65 countries that boycotted the games, and the numerous stamps issued to commemorate the games were removed from sale until after the Olympics were finished.
District of Columbia
On July 16, 1790, the District of Columbia was established with George Washington’s signing of the Residence Act. It would be 10 years before the national government officially relocated there.
Birth of US Army’s Medal of Honor
On July 12, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating a Medal of Honor to be awarded to members of the Army. Of the more than 3,500 medals of honor awarded since then, 1,520 were for Civil War service.
Birth of John Quincy Adams
America’s sixth president, John Quincy Adams was born on July 11, 1767, in Braintree (present-day Quincy), Massachusetts. He was the first president’s son to become president.
Birth of Nancy Reagan
Nancy Reagan was born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City. As first lady from 1981-89, she renovated the White House and spearheaded the “Just Say No” to drugs campaign.
First U.S. Postage Stamp Goes on Sale
On July 1, 1847, America’s first postage stamps were issued. While the use of stamps wasn’t mandatory until 1856, this was a historic philatelic milestone.