Brussels World’s Fair
On April 17, 1958, the Brussels World’s Fair, also known as Expo ’58, opened its doors. It was the first major official world’s fair after WWII.
This Day in History
Birth of Henry Mancini
Enrico Nicola “Henry” Mancini was born on April 16, 1924, in the Little Italy neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Considered the most successful film composer of his time, he scored more than 100 movies, including numerous beloved classics.
America’s Oldest School for the Deaf
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc founded the first permanent school for the deaf in America on April 15, 1817. To date, over 4,000 students have graduated from the American School for the Deaf.
Emancipation Memorial
On April 14, 1876, the Emancipation Memorial (also known as the Freedmen’s Memorial Monument) was unveiled in a special ceremony in Washington, DC. Most of the funds raised for the statue came from freed slaves and African American Union veterans.
Dedication of Jefferson Memorial
On April 13, 1943, the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, was officially dedicated. The dedication occurred on Jefferson’s 200th birthday in a short ceremony in the midst of WWII.
Civil War Centennial Series
On April 12, 1961, the US Post Office issued the first stamp in a five-year series honoring major events from the Civil War. Issued for the war’s 100th anniversary, they were the first US stamps to specifically commemorate the conflict.
Special Handling Stamps
On April 11, 1925, the US Post Office issued its first Special Handling stamp, #QE4. Special Handling stamps enabled fourth-class mail to be delivered at the speed of first-class mail, which was especially important since many parcels contained live animals such as young alligators or baby chicks!
Birth of Matthew C. Perry
The “Father of the Steam Navy” Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry was born on April 10, 1794, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. Perry is best known for modernizing the US Naval Academy and opening friendly relations with Japan.
First Stamp Issued in Liberty Series
On April 9, 1954, the USPS introduced a new set of stamps, the Liberty Series, with the issue of an 8¢ red, white, and blue Statue of Liberty stamp. It replaced the popular Presidential Series (also known as the Prexies), which had been in use for 15 years.