June 2017

This Day in History… June 24, 1904

Posted on June 24, 2017 by MysticStamp

First Canal Zone Stamps Issued

U.S. #CZ2 – One of the first stamps issued for use in the Canal Zone.

On June 24, 1904, the U.S. issued its first stamps for use in the Canal Zone.

With military assistance from the United States, Panama declared its independence from Columbia on November 3, 1903. The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty was negotiated, then ratified in Panama on December 2, 1903. The United States followed suit on February 23, 1904, clearing the way for a long-anticipated canal project across the Panama isthmus.

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This Day in History… June 23, 1971

Posted on June 23, 2017 by MysticStamp

Last Stamp Issued by the Post Office Department

U.S. #1431 was issued on the ten-year anniversary of the signing of the Antarctic Treaty.

On June 23, 1971, the Post Office issued its last commemorative stamp as a cabinet-level department.

America’s postal system was officially established on February 20, 1792. On that day President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, which created the United States Post Office. The act gave Congress the power to create official mail routes and allowed newspapers to be delivered in the mail, which more easily spread information across the nation. The act also deemed it illegal for postal officials to open people’s mail.

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This Day in History… June 22, 1943

Posted on June 22, 2017 by MysticStamp

Start of Overrun Countries Series

U.S. #909 – The first stamp in the series honoring Poland.

On June 22, 1943, the first stamp in the Overrun Countries series, U.S. #909, was issued. These stamps were created to send a message of hope to war-torn residents of the overrun countries.

After receiving several designs from artists who felt the current U.S. postage stamps were unattractive, President Franklin Roosevelt began to consider the types of stamps he wanted to issue. He sought to show the world that America was in this war to achieve world peace, not military dominance. With this in mind, the President suggested the U.S. issue a series of stamps picturing the flags of all the overrun nations in Europe.

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This Day in History… June 21, 1945

Posted on June 21, 2017 by MysticStamp

U.S. Captures Okinawa 

U.S. #2981c from the WWII 1945: Victory at Last sheet.

On June 21, 1945, U.S. troops captured Okinawa from the Japanese.

By the spring of 1945, the Allies’ successful island-hopping campaign had brought them to the Ryukyu Islands, about 350 miles from Japan. Air bases on the islands, including Okinawa, could be used in the planned attack on the mainland.

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This Day in History… June 20, 1782

Posted on June 20, 2017 by MysticStamp

U.S. Adopts Great Seal

U.S. #CE1 was used for Airmail Special Delivery.

On June 20, 1782, the United States adopted the Great Seal. It had taken six years, three committees, and the work of 14 men.

The history of the Great Seal dates back to July 4, 1776, the day America declared its independence from Great Britain. That same day, the Continental Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams to a special committee to design the country’s Great Seal or national emblem. The emblem was needed to seal, or sign, international treaties and transactions.

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This Day in History… June 19, 1934

Posted on June 19, 2017 by MysticStamp

Silver Tax Stamps

U.S. #RG1 – The first Silver Tax stamp.

On June 19, 1934, Congress authorized the used of Silver Tax stamps.

Founding Father and first Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton was a supporter of a “bimetallism” money system, in which both gold and silver were used as currency. The two metals would be fixed in relative value. But by the late 1830s, it was clear that bimetallism was a failure, since the market rate of silver was higher than the monetary value of silver.

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Posted in June 2017, This Day in History | 3 Comments