Transportation

On September 23, 1978, the USPS issued the first stamps in its Pioneers of Aviation Series. The series would span more than 20 years and include 18 stamps honoring some of America’s most legendary aviators and their aircraft.

On September 14, 1891, the Empire State Express became one of the world’s first high-speed passenger train, traveling 436 miles between New York City and Buffalo in 7 hours, 6 minutes. It averaged 61.4 miles per hour and reached a top speed of 82 miles per hour.

On August 28, 1864, the US Post Office Department created the Railway Mail Service.  It revolutionized mail delivery for a century.

On August 23, 1784, an American merchant ship unfurled the Stars and Stripes for the first time in China. The Chinese dubbed it the “Flower Flag,” and its passengers, “flower flag countrymen,” a name that endures today.

After a decade of construction, the Panama Canal opened to traffic on August 15, 1914. Dubbed one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the canal helped to significantly cut down on the travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

On July 28, 1897, Alexander Winton began a nine-day test-drive of his automobile, proving its reliability to investors.  Winton went on to become the top-selling automobile manufacturer for several years.  He had more than 100 patents, and often allowed others to use them for free when safety was involved.

On June 18, 1855, the first ship passed through the Soo Locks, located on the St. Mary’s River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Today there are four locks, and an average of 10,000 ships pass through them each year.

On May 28, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge officially opened to traffic.  It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time of its opening and was dubbed a “Wonder of the World” structure.

On April 20, 1987, the second Sunshine Skyway Bridge opened. It was rebuilt following a 1980 accident. Considered a symbol of Florida, it’s also the longest cable-stayed concrete bridge in the world.