First Solar Eclipse Over the U.S. in 38 Years
August 21, 2017, marks the first total solar eclipse of the sun to pass over the United States since 1979.
Postal History
Birth of Meriwether Lewis
Explorer, soldier, and politician Meriwether Lewis was born on August 18, 1774, in Ivy, Albemarle County, Virginia.
U.S. Issues Replacements for Demonetized Stamps
On August 17, 1861, the first of several Civil War era stamps was first used.
America’s First Theme Park
On August 3, 1946, the first themed amusement park in America opened in Santa Claus, Indiana.
First U.S. Semipostal
On July 29, 1998, the USPS issued its first Semipostal stamp to fund breast cancer research.
First U.S.-Soviet Joint Issue Stamps
On July 15, 1975, the US and Soviet Union each issued stamps honoring the launch of their Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, their first joint space venture.
Latvia’s First Stamps Printed on Maps!
On December 18, 1918, war-torn and recently independent Latvia issued its first stamps, printed on the back of German military maps.
Special Delivery Service Begins
On October 1, 1885, the Special Delivery service was first available and the first stamp, US #E1, went on sale.
World’s First Postage Stamp Issued
The world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued on May 1, 1840.