World War I
Death of George Sisler
Baseball great “Gorgeous George” Harold Sisler died on March 26, 1973. An Agile first baseman, Sisler was one of baseball’s greatest players in all areas – fielding, throwing, hitting, and base-running.
The Lafayette Escadrille
On March 21, 1916, a group of mostly American pilots formed the Escadrille Américaine. Later named the Lafayette Escadrille, they flew several high-profile missions that encouraged more Americans to join their ranks.
Battle of Verdun
On February 21, 1916, one of the longest battles on the Western Front began at Verdun. The nearly 10-month battle ended in a French victory, but at a high cost of lives on both sides.
Birth of Everett Dirksen
Statesman Everett McKinley Dirksen was born on January 4, 1896, in Pekin, Illinois.
Happy Birthday Alvin York
World War I hero Alvin Cullum York was born on December 13, 1887, in Pall Mall, Tennessee.
Birth of Felix Frankfurter
Associate Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter was born on November 15, 1882, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary.
Birth of Daniel J. Daly
US Marine Sergeant Major Daniel Joseph Daly was born on November 11, 1873, in Glen Cove, New York.
Happy Birthday Grenville Clark
Grenville Clark was born on November 5, 1882, in New York City.
Mail During World War I
On November 2, 1917, the first class mail rate was raised from 2¢ to 3¢ to help cover the cost of the war effort.