This Day In History, February 20th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on February 20th.
President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act in 1792, establishing the United States Postal Service.
The Peruvian and Chilean forces engaged in combat at the Battle of Yungay in Chile in 1839. The battle was won by the Chilean soldiers, and today Chile celebrates it as a national holiday every year.
The Boy Scouts were established in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell in England. Since then, the group has expanded into a global movement that supports young people's physical health, civic engagement, and character development.
1943 saw the start of the Battle of Kasserine Pass. German forces decisively prevailed in the first significant battle in North Africa between American and German forces.
1962: John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. He completed three orbits of the planet in his Friendship 7 spacecraft, and his successful mission marked a major milestone in the United States' space program.
This Day In History, February 20th, 1792: The Postal Service Act was signed by President George Washington.
The United States Postal Service was founded by the Postal Service Act, which was approved by President George Washington on February 20, 1792. The legislation defined the Postal Service's structure and duties, including the creation of post offices and the creation of mail delivery routes. It also created the position of Postmaster General. Since then, the Postal Service has grown to be an essential component of the American infrastructure, offering communication and commerce services to millions of citizens.
The Battle of Yungay was fought in Chile between the Peruvian and Chilean armies.
The Battle of Yungay was fought on February 20, 1839, near the town of Yungay in central Chile, between the armies of Chile and Peru. The battle was part of the War of the Confederation, a conflict between Chile, Peru, and Bolivia over control of the region. The Chilean forces, led by General Manuel Bulnes, were victorious over the Peruvian forces, and the battle is commemorated annually in Chile as a national holiday called "Día de la Victoria" (Day of the Victory). The holiday celebrates the bravery of the Chilean soldiers who fought in the battle and the importance of the victory in securing Chilean independence and territorial sovereignty.
The Boy Scouts were established in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell in England.
Robert Baden-Powell established the Boy Scouts in England on February 20, 1907. A British army officer named Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouts as a way to impart outdoor skills, character building, and good citizenship to young boys. By the turn of the 20th century, the Boy Scouts had gained worldwide acclaim and were present in many nations, including the United States. With the creation of the co-ed Scouts BSA program, the Boy Scouts of America, one of the biggest youth organizations in the country today, has opened its doors to girls. The organization's goal is still to encourage young people's physical health, good citizenship, and character development.
1943: The Battle of Kasserine Pass began during World War II.
An important military conflict that occurred in North Africa during World War II was the Battle of Kasserine Pass. It was the first significant conflict between American and German soldiers in the area, starting on February 20, 1943. After Allied forces, primarily made up of American soldiers, launched a massive push against Nazi forces in Tunisia, the combat took place. The German forces, under the command of General Erwin Rommel, decisively defeated the Allied forces because they were unprepared for the German counterattack. The conflict taught the Allied forces a harsh lesson and revealed flaws in their planning and execution. However, it also prompted adjustments to the leadership and military tactics, which ultimately resulted in the defeat of the Axis forces in North Africa later that year.
John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. Glenn's mission, which was part of the Mercury program, was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida and lasted nearly five hours. Glenn completed three orbits of the Earth in his Friendship 7 spacecraft, traveling at speeds of up to 17,500 miles per hour. His successful mission marked a major milestone in the United States' space program and helped to establish American dominance in the space race with the Soviet Union. Glenn went on to serve as a United States senator and returned to space at the age of 77 as a member of the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998.