Today in Mormon History - Jan 04

Joseph Smith and associates begin their first day of "Hebrew School." However they receive a message from the teacher they had hired, Doctor Piexotto, that he will not be able to give his first lecture for two days. The school votes to drop Piexotto and to hire a new teacher. Joshua Seixas is hired two days later for "the term of 7 weeks for $320.00" to teach 40 students. Joseph Smith writes of Seixas, "He is highly celebrated as a Hebrew Schollar and proposes to give us sufficient knowledge in the above term of time to read and translate the language." (1)
-- 175 years ago - Jan 4, 1836

The U.S. Postal Service releases a stamp honoring Utah's centennial; it is designed by McRay Magleby, the creative director of BYU's Publications and Graphics Department. (2)
-- 15 years ago - Jan 04, 1996

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 4 Sunday I spent the day reading. (3)
-- 120 years ago - Jan 4, 1891

1 - This Day in Mormon History, http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html
2 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
3 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993