Birth of Alan Shepard
Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr was born on November 18, 1923, in Derry, New Hampshire. He was the first American (second person after Yuri Gagarin) to travel into space and the fifth person to walk on the Moon.
Famous Americans
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Redrawn Washington
Following heavy criticism, the US Post Office issued a new “clean shaven” George Washington stamp on November 17, 1967. The stamp replaced a Prominent Americans stamp issued in 1966.
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Birth of Lawrence Tibbett
Lawrence Mervil Tibbett was born on November 16, 1896, in Bakersfield, California. Tibbett was the lead baritone at the Metropolitan Opera for 27 years – totaling more than 600 performances – and also appeared in plays and films.
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Birth of Georgia O’Keeffe
Artist Georgia Totto O’Keeffe was born on November 15, 1887, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Most well-known today for her close-up paintings of flowers, Georgia O’Keeffe found her greatest inspiration in the rugged deserts of New Mexico.
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Washington Flag and Shield Stamps
On November 12, 1903, the 2¢ Washington stamp was issued with a new design after the earlier stamp was deemed disappointing.
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Birth of Fanny Brice
Actress and singer Fanny Brice was born Fania Borach on October 29, 1891, in New York City. Most well known for her radio character Baby Snooks, she was the inspiration for the musical and film Funny Girl.
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Birth of Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia (born Mahala) Jackson was born on October 26, 1911, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The best-known gospel singer in the world and one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, she received more acclaim than any other gospel singer, and is said to have been the vocal, physical, and spiritual symbol of religious music.
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Benjamin Davis Becomes First African American General In The U.S. Army
On October 25, 1940, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. was appointed the first African American general in US Army. He was a driving force behind the desegregation of the Army, which was finally achieved just days after his retirement.
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Birth of Ursula K. Le Guin
Author Ursula Kroeber Le Guin was born on October 21, 1929, in Berkeley, California. A pioneer in American science fiction writing, she won numerous distinguished awards for her novels, short stories, and teen and children’s books.
