American History

On November 27, 1945, Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE) was formed. Initially established to aid Europeans in the wake of WWII, it’s still in operation today, helping over 250 million people.

On November 25, 1835, industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie was born in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. He is often considered to be a symbol of the American dream – an immigrant that came to America and found success, and later shared his riches to help others.

While Scott Joplin’s exact birthdate is unknown, it’s often considered to be November 24, 1868, as shown on his tombstone.  Joplin was dubbed the “King of Ragtime Writers,” known for hits such as “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.”

Boris Karloff was born William Henry Pratt on November 23, 1887, in Camberwell, London, England. Karloff appeared in more than 170 films during his career, becoming a horror icon for his memorable performances in Frankenstein and The Mummy.

On November 22, 1935, the China Clipper made its first airmail voyage across the Pacific Ocean. The first-ever transpacific airmail journey, it carried over 110,000 pieces of mail.

On November 19, 1965, the U.S. Post Office issued the first stamp in a new series honoring Prominent Americans. The series included several “firsts” and technological changes.

On November 18, 1883, US and Canadian railroad companies jointly adopted five standard continental time zones. It was called The Day of Two Noons, with railroads resetting their clocks at exactly the same time across the country.

Composer and musician William Christopher Handy was born on November 16, 1873, in Florence, Alabama. He called himself the “Father of the Blues” for his role in popularizing the style on a national level.

On November 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was officially dedicated in Washington, DC. It stands as a tribute to the thousands of Americans who gave their lives in the conflict.