First Flight of the P-51 Mustang
On October 26, 1940, the P-51 Mustang completed its first flight. It went on to take down more enemy planes than any other fighter in Europe and was the United Nations’ main fighter plane during the Korean War.
Government
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Microprinting in US Stamps
On October 22, 1992, the USPS issued its first stamps that incorporated microprinting in the design. These were also the first stamps to have microprinted text. Today, most US stamps include microprinting as a security feature.
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Birth of President Eisenhower
Dwight Eisenhower was born October 14, 1890, in Denison, Texas. After serving as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in WWII, he was elected America’s 34th president.
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Stamp Act Congress Meets To Protest Unfair Taxation
In response to Parliament’s Stamp Act of 1765, American colonists assembled in New York City on October 7 to organize a unified protest. The Stamp Act Congress is often considered one of the first organized political actions of the American Revolution.
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Happy Birthday Chester A. Arthur
America’s 21st president, Chester Alan Arthur was born October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont. He instituted major civil service reform, despite rising to prominence in part through the old patronage system.
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Disabled American Veterans
On September 25, 1920, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) was officially established as a national social welfare organization. The organization provides millions of dollars in support for disabled veterans.
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Jamestown Burns During Bacon’s Rebellion
On September 19, 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led an irate group of followers into Jamestown and burned nearly all the buildings to the ground. Bacon’s rebellion and the burning of Jamestown are considered precursors to the American Revolution.
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Birth of William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was born September 15, 1857, near Cincinnati, Ohio. To date, he’s the the only person to serve as both US president and chief justice of the Supreme Court.
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The Battle of Lake Erie
On September 10, 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry won an important War of 1812 victory on Lake Erie. That victory helped change the course of the war, leading to America’s absolute independence from Britain.
