Flight

 U.S. #3190a – Click the image to read more about the shuttle program.
September 17, 1976

NASA Unveils Enterprise 

On September 17, 1976, America’s first space shuttle, the Enterprise, made its debut public appearance.

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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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1983 $9.35 Eagle and Full Moon
August 12, 1983

First U.S. Express Mail Stamp 

On August 12, 1983, the USPS issued its first Express mail stamp, though the service, and those like it, had been available for several years.

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1971 8¢ Space Achievements: Lunar Rover
July 31, 1971

Astronauts Take Lunar Rover for First Drive on the Moon

On July 31, 1971, US Astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first humans to drive on the Moon. Their Apollo 15 mission was the first of three in which the lunar rovers were driven on the Moon’s surface.

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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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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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