On this date in 1820, James K. Polk (U.S. President 1845-1849) received his 1st degree in Columbia Lodge #31, Columbia, Tennessee.

On this date in 1923, groundbreaking took place for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, in Alexandria, Virginia.

On June the 5th, 1933 Mason and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took the United States went off the Gold Standard, a monetary system which currency is backed by gold.

On this day in 1942, Mason and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issues a stern statement of warning to Japan to stop using poison gas in its war on China.

On this day in 1947 Mason and Secretary of State George Catlett Marshall calls on the U.S. to assist in the economic recovery of post war Europe.

Mason George Catlett Marshall General of the Army; U.S. Secretary of State; U.S. Secretary of Defense; Ambassador to China; author of the "Marshall Plan" for European economic recovery. He was born on December 31, 1880 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He was a student at Virginia Military Institute from 1897-1901, and holds honorary degrees from many universities and colleges. He was commissioned in 1901 as an Infantry lieutenant, advancing to major general in 1939, and General of the Army (5-star) in 1944. He served in the Philippines in 1901-1902, and 1913-1916. In WWI he was with the A.E.F., 1917-1919, with 1st Infantry Division, chief of operations 1st Army, chief of staff, 8th Army Corps, participating in Battles of Cantigny, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne. From 1919-1924 he was aide-de-camp to General Pershing, q.v. From 1924-1927 he was in China, followed by stateside commands. He was deputy chief of staff, U.S. Army from 1938-1939, and chief of staff with rank of general, 1939-1945. In 1945 he was appointed special representative of the president, to China, with rank of ambassador. He served as U.S. secretary of State from 1947-1949, and U.S. secretary of Defense, 1950-1951. He was president of the American Red Cross, 1949-1950. He has received many decorations and high honors, including the Nobel peace prize in 1953. Marshall was made a Mason "at sight" on December 16, 1941, by Ara M. Daniels, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of District of Columbia, in the Scottish Rite Cathedral of the District. Receiving the degrees at the same time was Jesse H. Jones, then secretary of Commerce. Distinguished leaders from many states were present, and Carl H. Claudy, who had served as senior warden on the occasion, gave the candidates a general briefing on Freemasonry, at the request of Marshall. Marshall's father had been an active Freemason at Uniontown, Pennsylvania being high priest of Union Chapter No. 165, R.A.M. in 1889, and commander of Uniontown Commandery No. 49, K.T. in 1883.