Niota has again been a recipient of honor by the United States Postal Service to commemorate a Pictorial Stamp Cancellation and Unveiling Ceremony on Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Historic Niota Depot. The Niota Depot Preservation Committee will host the ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is made possible because of Niota's history of Harry T. Burn.
A century ago, on Aug. 18, 1920, Niota native Harry T. Burn cast the deciding vote to make Tennessee the 36th and final state required to ratify the amendment, recognizing the right to vote for millions of women across the United States. This moment has been described as the largest single democratizing event in American history.
Mr. Burn broke a deadlock after receiving a letter from his mother, Miss Febb, who asked him to "be a good boy" and "vote for suffrage." After casting the tie-breaking vote, Mr. Burn defended his decision, saying, "A mother's advice is always safest for her boy to follow and my mother wanted me to vote for ratification."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unveiling ceremony will be by invitation only at 11 a.m. At 12:30 p.m., the public is invited to view the stamp. A mask will be required and social distancing of six feet moving through the Depot.
Pictorial envelopes cancelled with the special cancellation will be available only in Niota, pictorial envelopes from the 75th anniversary will also be available for purchase. Some will have the new stamp added. Other memorabilia will be for sale by the 19th Amendment Committee. The Niota Post Office will also be selling and cancelling the stamp. Personal artwork may be mailed to be cancelled to the Niota Post Office P.O. Box 9998 Niota, TN 37826-9998. This is for a limited time only. Miss Febb's great-great grandson Tyler L. Boyd will also be selling signed copies of his biography of his great-granduncle Harry T. Burn at the event.
The 100th anniversary envelopes are $3 or two for $5. Envelopes that contain the 75th and 100th anniversary are $5 each. If unable to attend, these may be purchased by mail by sending a self-addressed envelope to NDPC P.O. Box 515 Niota, TN 37826-0515. You may them by emailing Tyler L. Boyd at tboyd5150@gmail.com or Frances Powers, event coordinator, at powja@comcast.net 887-3631. The Niota Depot is at 201 Main St., Niota, TN 37826.