This Day in History

On May 27, 2006, the tenth US International Philatelic Exhibition opened at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Officially named Washington Philatelic Exhibition Inc., its most often referred to as Washington 2006.

Sally Ride was born on May 26, 1951, in Encino, Los Angeles, California.  In 1983, she became the first American woman in space, and the third woman overall, after two Soviet cosmonauts.

Reverend Theodore Martin Hesburgh was born on May 25, 1917, in Syracuse, New York.  He served as president Notre Dame University for 35 years, transforming it into one of the best colleges in America.

On May 24, 1919, the US issued stamps for use in Shanghai, China. The stamps were produced in limited quantities and only remained in use for a few years.

On May 23, 1895, the New York Public Library was established. Exactly 16 years later, on May 23, 1911, the main branch of the library opened its doors to the public. Today, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the country and the fourth largest in the world.

On May 22, 1978, the USPS issued its first in a long series of Alphabet rate change stamps. These stamps were used with existing postage until new stamps were released to meet changing rates.

Glenn Hammond Curtiss was born on May 21, 1878, in Hammondsport, New York.  He designed the planes flown by most American WWI pilots, which were also used to carry the first airmail deliveries.

On May 20, 1939, the US Post Office inaugurated its official trans-Atlantic airmail service to Europe. The new Yankee Clipper service flew from New York to France in 26 hours.

Johns Hopkins was born on May 19, 1795, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. A successful businessman, he donated $7 million for the creation of schools and hospitals, the largest philanthropic gift in America up to that time.