Postal History

1909 2¢ Hudson-Fulton Celebration: Half Moon and Clermont
September 25, 1909

The Hudson-Fulton Celebration 

On September 25, 1909, the Hudson-Fulton Celebration opened in New York and New Jersey. The celebration marked the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the Hudson River as well as the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s first successful commercial paddle steamship.

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1948 3¢ Gold Star Mothers
September 21, 1948

Gold Star Mothers Stamp 

On September 21, 1948, the US Post Office issued the Gold Star Mothers stamp to honor mothers whose sons had been killed in war. It was the first stamp in eight years to feature women (or women’s organizations), and just the 11th stamp overall to do so.

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2011 44¢ & 11¢ Semipostal - Save Vanishing Species
September 20, 2011

Save Vanishing Species Stamp 

On September 20, 2011, the USPS issued its fourth Semipostal stamp. The Save Vanishing Species stamp has raised over $7 million in the years since it was first placed on sale.

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 U.S. #3167 was issued 20 years ago today. Click the image to learn more about the U.S. Air Force.
September 18, 1997

First U.S. Stamp with Scrambled Indicia

On September 18, 1997, the USPS issued the US Air Force stamp, the first US stamp to have a hidden image using Scrambled Indicia.

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1988 25¢ Honeybee Coil Stamp
September 2, 1988

First U.S. Combination-Process Coil

On September 2, 1988, the USPS issued its first coil stamp printed by two totally different procedures. The Honeybee stamp was lithographed and engraved.

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1923 2¢ Harding, black, perf 11
September 1, 1923

First Modern First Day Cover 

On September 1, 1923, George Linn produced the first cacheted First Day Covers, giving birth to the modern FDC industry.

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2000 10¢ Distinguished Americans: General Joseph W. Stilwell
August 24, 2000

Start of the Distinguished Americans Series 

On August 24, 2000, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Distinguished Americans Series. Over the course of more than two decades, the series has honored 20 Americans from all walks of life.

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1861 1¢ Benjamin Franklin, blue
August 17, 1861

Civil War-Era Stamps Enter Usage

On August 17, 1861, the first of several Civil War-era stamps was used for the first time. New stamps were prepared to prevent the South from profiting off the sale of US stamps.

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1867 3¢ Washington “A” Grill
August 13, 1867

First U.S. Grilled Stamp 

August 13, 1867, marks the earliest known use of the first stamp produced with a grill, US #79. Grills were added to stamps to prevent their reuse.

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