Aviation

1990 40¢ Great Americans: Claire Chennault
September 6, 1890

Birth of Claire Chennault 

Claire Lee Chennault was born on September 6, 1890, in Commerce, Texas. He formed and led the Flying Tigers during World War II.

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1949 6¢ Wilbur and Orville Wright
August 19, 1871

Happy Birthday Orville Wright

Aviator and inventor Orville Wright was born on August 19, 1871, in Dayton, Ohio. He and his brother would go on to become aviation pioneers.

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1963 8¢ Amelia Earhart
July 24, 1897

Happy Birthday, Amelia Earhart! 

Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. Earhart advanced the role of women in aviation during the early days of flight.  She was the first woman to fly the Atlantic Ocean solo (and the first person to do it twice), receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, and fly nonstop coast-to-coast across the US.

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1998 32¢ Berlin Airlift
June 26, 1948

The Berlin Airlift

On June 26, 1948, the first supply-filled planes departed bases in England and Western Germany as part of the Berlin Airlift.

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1941 6¢ Twin-Motor Transport
June 25, 1941

Twin-Motored Transport Plane Airmails

On June 25, 1941, the US Post Office Department issued the first in a new series of Airmail stamps picturing a twin-motored transport plane.  These stamps would carry mail across the US and around the globe throughout World War II.

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1928 Canada's first airmail
June 24, 1918

Canada’s First Airmail Flight

On June 24, 1918, Captain Brian Peck made the first airmail flight in Canada. It would be another decade before the service became official and Canada would issue its first Airmail stamps.

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1918 24¢ Curtiss Jenny
June 23, 1938

The Civil Aeronautics Act 

On June 23, 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Civil Aeronautics Act, creating the Civil Aeronautics Authority. The CAA was tasked with investigating accidents, recommending ways to prevent future accidents, and setting airline fares and routes. It eventually became the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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1983 20¢ Balloons
June 4, 1783

First Public Hot Air Balloon Demonstration 

On June 4, 1783, the Montgolfier brothers staged the first successful public hot air balloon demonstration, sparking interest and rapid advancements.

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1980 35¢ Glenn Curtiss
May 21, 1878

Happy Birthday to Glenn Curtiss

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.

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