July 17
| 1892 | The annual meeting of the League of American Wheelmen (LAW) begins in Washington, DC (through July 21). In addition to holding parades, conducting championship bicycle races, and visiting the White House, participants lobby for General Roy Stone's bill calling for a National Highway Commission to make a "general inquiry into the condition of highways in the United States, and means for their improvement, and especially the best method of securing a proper exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition of approved appliances for road making, and of providing for public instruction in the art during the Exposition." (See May 12, 1893.) After the meeting, General Stone and former LAW president James Denn stay in Washington to continue the lobbying effort.
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| 1923 | Secretary of Agriculture Henry C. Wallace recognizes completion of the 266.84-mile, 7-percent Federal-aid system in Delaware, the first State to receive this recognition under the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1921. (See November 9, 1921.) This early completion reflects the fact that a considerable amount of the mileage had been improved before the system was designated. Under the Act, Delaware is now eligible to extend its Federal-aid system beyond the 7-percent system. | |
| 2009 | Victor M. Mendez takes office as the 18th Federal Highway Administrator. He is the second Administrator, after Mary E. Peters (2001-2005), who had served as Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. He soon launches the Every Day Counts initiative to find, foster, and promote innovation and technology in FHWA and the broader transportation community. |
