This Day in History… November 1, 1962

Posted on November 1, 2019 by MysticStamp

First U.S. Christmas Stamp 

US #1205 was issued on this day in 1962.

On November 1, 1962, the US Post Office issued its first-ever Christmas stamp, starting a popular tradition that continues to this day.

There’s some debate as to which country issued the first-ever Christmas stamp.  Canada often gets the honor for its 1898 issue that pictured a map and had the inscription “XMAS 1898.”  In the coming years, other nations issued stamps with similar holiday inscriptions, and eventually with religious or holiday-themed designs.

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Posted in November 2019, This Day in History | 2 Comments

This Day in History… October 31, 1941

Posted on October 31, 2019 by MysticStamp

Mount Rushmore is Complete

US #2523 pictures the flag over Mount Rushmore. Click the image to order.

On October 31, 1941, work on Mount Rushmore was completed 14 years after it began.

In 1923, historian Doane Robinson recognized the amount of tourism sites like Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks generated for their respective states.  He then came up with the idea to sculpt a mountain to promote tourism in South Dakota.  Robinson’s initial vision was to honor heroes of the American West such as George Armstrong Custer, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Sioux Chief Red Cloud.

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Posted in October 2019, This Day in History | 2 Comments

This Day in History… October 30, 1938

Posted on October 30, 2019 by MysticStamp

War of the Worlds Broadcast 

US #3186o pictures Welles’ famed Citizen Kane. Click the image to order.

On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles created a panic with his War of the Worlds broadcast, which some listeners believed was a real news story.

The now legendary broadcast was based on British author H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel of the same name.  The broadcast was part of the program Mercury Theatre on the Air, an hour-long radio drama show that presented literary works.

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Posted in October 2019, This Day in History | 2 Comments

This Day in History… October 29, 1929

Posted on October 29, 2019 by MysticStamp

Black Tuesday Stock Market Crash 

U.S. #3184o from the Celebrate the Century series.

US #3184o from the Celebrate the Century series.  Click the image to order.

On October 29, 1929, the worst stock market crash in history occurred, marking the start of the decade-long Great Depression.

The early 1920s was a time of great economic prosperity for America.  Industry was booming, and Americans wanted to be a part of this economic surge.  To accomplish this, they bought common stock on the open market, often borrowing money to do so.

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Posted in October 2019, This Day in History | 5 Comments

This Day in History… October 28, 1914

Posted on October 28, 2019 by MysticStamp

Birth of Dr. Jonas Salk

US #3428 from the Distinguished Americans Series. Click the image to order.

Jonas Edward Salk was born on October 28, 1914, in New York, New York.

Salk attended the Townsend Harris High School for gifted students and had a reputation for being a perfectionist.  He would also read anything he could get his hands on. 

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Posted in October 2019, This Day in History | 7 Comments

This Day in History… October 27, 1863

Posted on October 27, 2019 by MysticStamp

First Major Sanitary Fair

US #WV1 was issued for a fair in Albany in 1864. Click the image to order.

On October 27, 1863, the first major Sanitary Fair was held to raise money during the Civil War.

With the outbreak of fighting in the Civil War, women left at home wanted to contribute.  Perhaps one of the earliest meetings of women to discuss their contribution was held on April 25, 1861, in New York City.  This led to the creation of the Women’s Central Association of Relief.

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Posted in October 2019, This Day in History | 4 Comments