American History

1994 29¢ WWII: Bastogne and Battle of the Bulge
January 25, 1945

Allies Win the Battle of the Bulge

On January 25, 1945, the Battle of the Bulge came to an end.

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1999 33¢ Celebrate the Century - 1960s: The Vietnam War
January 21, 1968

Battle of Khe Sanh

On January 21, 1968, one of the most controversial and highly publicized battles of the Vietnam War began at Khe Sanh Combat Base (KSCB) in South Vietnam.

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1988 25¢ Antarctic Explorers: Lt. Charles Wilkes
January 19, 1840

Wilkes Expedition Discovers Antarctica

On January 19, 1840, US Naval captain Charles Wilkes became the first American to explore the coast of Antarctica. His two year expedition circumnavigated the globe and is credited with playing a significant role in the development of 19th-century science.

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2002 37¢ Legends of Hollywood: Cary Grant
January 18, 1904

Happy Birthday Cary Grant

Actor Archibald Alexander Leach (aka Cary Grant) was born on January 18, 1904, in Horfield, Bristol, United Kingdom. He was a versatile actor known for his comedies, dramas, and acclaimed films with Alfred Hitchcock.

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1847 5¢ Benjamin Franklin, red-brown, thin bluish wove paper, imperforate
January 17, 1706

Happy Birthday Benjamin Franklin 

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony. “The first citizen of Philadelphia,” Franklin was a printer, inventor, postmaster, and the only person to sign all four of the key documents in US history.

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1957 3¢ Religious Freedom
January 16, 1786

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom 

On January 16, 1786, Virginia enacted Thomas Jefferson’s Statute for Religious Freedom. It was one of the most important laws ever passed by the Virginia Assembly, provided inspiration for the Bill of Rights, and was one of the achievements of which Jefferson was most proud.

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1983 20¢ Signing of Treaty of Paris
January 14, 1784

Ratification Day 

On January 14, 1784, the Confederation Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the American Revolutionary War. New boundaries were set and Great Britain acknowledged the United States as an independent nation.

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1870-71 30¢ Hamilton, black
January 11th, 1755

Birth of Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11, 1755 (or 57 – the year is unknown), in Nevis in the British West Indies. He was a hero of the Revolutionary War and first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.

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1964 5¢ Sam Houston
January 10, 1964

First Stamp with Mr. Zip in the Selvage 

On January 10, 1964, Mr. Zip first appeared in the selvage of a stamp sheet honoring Texas icon Sam Houston. Created to help promote the use of ZIP Codes, he appeared in the selvage of more than 350 stamp sheets over 20 years.

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