This Day in History… October 22, 1996

Posted on October 22, 2019 by MysticStamp

Holiday Celebrations Series 

US #3118 – The first US Hanukkah stamp, issued on this day in 1996.

On October 22, 1996, the USPS issued its first stamp honoring Hanukkah, which was also the first stamp in the Holiday Celebrations Series. 

The US has issued Christmas stamps since 1962.  Over time, two series developed – Contemporary Christmas and Traditional Christmas.  While the Contemporary Christmas stamps feature images of modern celebrations such as Christmas trees and Santa, Traditional Christmas stamps depict the Madonna and Child, the Holy Family, and angels.

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This Day in History… October 21, 1941

Posted on October 21, 2019 by MysticStamp

First Appearance of Wonder Woman

US #4084c was part of a sheet honoring several DC Comics superheroes. Click the image to order.

On October 21, 1941, Wonder Woman was introduced in All Star Comics #8.

As the world was at war in the early 1940s, comic books came under fire for promoting violence.  While some called for comics to be banned, one man saw an opportunity to improve comics and empower young girls, with the wise and mighty Wonder Woman.

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This Day in History… October 20, 1960

Posted on October 20, 2019 by MysticStamp

First U.S. Automated Post Office 

US #1164 was issued on this day in 1960.

On October 20, 1960, America’s first automated post office opened in Providence, Rhode Island.

By the mid-1950s, post offices around the country were dealing with a massive amount of mail that they struggled to keep up with using their traditional systems. In 1958, Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield approved the construction of the first fully automated post office in the country in Providence, Rhode Island.

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This Day in History… October 19, 1864

Posted on October 19, 2019 by MysticStamp

Battle of Cedar Creek

US #2345 was issued for the 200th anniversary of Virginia’s statehood. Click the image to order. 

On October 19, 1864, North and South converged at Cedar Creek, Virginia in what would be the last Confederate attempt to invade the North.

After the Battle at Opequon, General Jubal Early retreated with his Southern Army to Waynesboro.  Union General Philip Sheridan took advantage of the open Shenandoah Valley and began his scorched-earth campaign.  The army burned crops, mills, and factories in order to cut off the South’s source of food and supplies.

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This Day in History… October 18, 1937

Posted on October 18, 2019 by MysticStamp

Territorial Series

US #799 pictures the King Kamehameha statue in Honolulu. Click the image to order.

On October 18, 1937, the US Post Office issued the first stamp in a new series honoring the overseas territories of the United States.

The first stamp in the series was issued on October 18, 1937, in Honolulu Hawaii.  It pictures a statue of King Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands in 1810.  Hawaii adopted its first constitution in 1840.  And the United States recognized Hawaii as an independent government in 1842.

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This Day in History… October 17, 1910

Posted on October 17, 2019 by MysticStamp

Death of Julia Ward Howe

US #2176 from the Great Americans Series. Click the image to order.

Poet, author, and activist Julia Ward Howe died on October 17, 1910, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. 

Howe was born on May 27, 1819, in New York City, New York to a stockbroker and poet.  She received an education from private tutors and attended schools for young ladies until she was 16.  One of her brothers traveled to Europe and brought home a library of books that opened her eyes to the world outside of her father’s Calvinist teachings.

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Posted in October 2019, This Day in History | 3 Comments