This Day in History: February 20

1792 US Postal Service Created

The United States Postal Service is established, with postage rates ranging from 6 to 12 cents depending on the distance of delivery. The USPS is the agency responsible for providing postal service in the United States and is one of the few government agencies explicitly authorized by the U.S. Constitution.

1872 Metropolitan Museum of Art Opens

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world's largest and most comprehensive art museums, opens in New York City. Its collection includes more than two million works of art spanning 5,000 years of world culture, from prehistoric times to the present day.

1873 Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Discovered

British Naval Officer John Moresby discovers the site of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and claims it for the United Kingdom. The city of Port Moresby later becomes the capital of Papua New Guinea.

1913 Construction of Canberra, Australia's Capital City Begins

Canberra, Australia's capital city, is designed and construction begins. The city was chosen as a compromise between rival cities Sydney and Melbourne and is entirely planned, with a layout influenced by the City Beautiful movement.

1944 Big Week Bombing Campaign

US bombers launch a massive bombing campaign against German aircraft manufacturing centers in a week-long effort to achieve air superiority over Europe and pave the way for the planned invasion. The campaign becomes known as "Big Week."

1947 Earl Mountbatten of Burma Appointed Last Viceroy of India

Lord Mountbatten is appointed as the last Viceroy of India to oversee the transition to independence. India gains independence from British rule the following year, and Mountbatten becomes the first Governor-General of independent India.

1962 John Glenn Orbits the Earth

Astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth, aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft. The 5-hour mission comes almost a year after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit the Earth.

1988 Nagorno-Karabakh War Begins

The Nagorno-Karabakh War is triggered when the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast declares independence from Azerbaijan. The war lasts for six years and results in the de facto independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, though the territory remains internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

1996 Swan Lake Ballet

The Tchaikovsky ballet "Swan Lake" premieres in 1877 in Moscow, Russia. It has since become one of the world's best-known ballets, with numerous adaptations and performances worldwide.

1944 Battle of Eniwetok

US forces take Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands during World War II, in a battle that results in 37 American casualties and 800 Japanese casualties. The capture of the atoll provides an important base for the US military in the Pacific Theater of the war.

1938 Anthony Eden Resigns

UK Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden resigns in protest of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain