Germany #518 – A genuine used stamp from the era.
On February 5, 1945, the US began a secret operation to overthrow Hitler with postage stamps.
By the early months of 1945, the world had been at war for over three years. Germany appeared to be nearing defeat, but American casualties were mounting. An idea was hatched – a brilliant plan to bring down the Nazi government. The weapon chosen to defeat Hitler – postage stamps!
US #4742 was issued on Parks’ 100th birthday in 2013.
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
Rosa Parks grew up in Alabama at a time when segregation was a way of life. She attended poorly funded schools for black children, while the white students went to newer schools. She dropped out of high school to care for her mother and grandmother who were ill. Later, she earned a high school diploma, something only seven percent of African Americans were able to do at the time.
US #1177 was issued on Greeley’s 150th birthday.
Newspaper publisher Horace Greeley was born on February 3, 1811, in Amherst, New Hampshire.
The son of a farmer and day laborer, Greeley received limited schooling until he was 14. After that, he found work as an apprentice with a newspaper editor in Vermont.
US #3308 – Rand was the 16th honoree in the Literary Arts Series.
Ayn Rand was born Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum on February 2, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire.
Rand was a bright child, who felt unchallenged with school and began writing screenplays when she was eight and novels when she was 10. Her family fled to the Crimean Peninsula during the Russian Civil War and returned after it ended.
US #2948 – The cherubs had been used on a number of other items over the years.
On February 1, 1995, the USPS issued a pair of Love stamp that was both popular and controversial.
In early 1995, the USPS knew that a rate change was coming, but didn’t know exactly what it would be. They wanted to have a new Love stamp ready for Valentine’s Day, so they created a non-denominated stamp and issued it on February 1, 1995, in Valentines, Virginia.
US #3187d from the Celebrate the Century: 1950s sheet.
Late in the evening of January 31, 1958, the US launched its first satellite, Explorer I.
After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union struggled to stay one step ahead of each other in space exploration. Both countries made substantial advancements during this time, but Russia was first to launch an artificial satellite, much to America’s chagrin.
