On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system was established by the
Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its
first postmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place
the foundation for many aspects of today’s mail system.
On June 13, 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its
decision in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing the principle that
all criminal suspects must be advised of their rights before
interrogation.
Now considered standard police procedure, “You have the
right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will, be used
against you in court of law. You have the right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you,” has
been heard so many times in television and film dramas that
it has become almost cliche.
The United States Military Academy—the first military school
in the United States, was founded by Congress for the purpose
of educating and training young men in the theory and practice
of military science. Located at West Point, New York, the U.S.
Military Academy is often simply known as West Point.
On March 11, 1779, Congress established the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers to help plan, design and prepare environmental
and structural facilities for the U.S. Army.
Made up of civilian workers, members of the Continental Army
and French officers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played
an essential role in the critical Revolutionary War battles at
Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Yorktown.
Mississippi River improvements made by the Corps of
Engineers in 1890.
On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system was established by the
Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place the
foundation for many aspects of today’s mail system.
