World War II

Politician Adlai Stevenson II was born on February 5, 1900, in Los Angeles, California. He was a popular governor of Illinois and US ambassador to the United Nations.

Aviation pioneer Charles Augustus Lindbergh was born on February 4, 1902, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean and helped to promote and expand aviation and airmail.

At 12:01 a.m. on February 2, 1913, Grand Central Terminal officially opened in New York City. Today it’s the third busiest train station in North America and has more platforms than any other in the world, with 44.

On February 1, 1942, Voice of America provided its first international broadcast. It provided important news and entertainment throughout the war and is still in operation today.

Baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. He was the first African American baseball player in the major leagues and had an impressive decade-long career that earned respect and admiration.

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

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.

William Thomas Piper was born on January 8, 1881, in Knapp Creek, New York. He developed the popular and inexpensive Piper Cub and became known as the “Henry Ford of Aviation.”

On January 3, 1911, America issued its first Postal Savings stamps. The Postal Savings System was established to serve small investors living in rural communities. Under the program, lower- and middle-income individuals were able to deposit funds at their local post office.