This Day In History

Today, September 11th

Recent stories…

1958 4¢ Forest Conservation
September 10, 1875

The American Forestry Association

The American Forestry Association was founded on September 10, 1875, in Chicago, Illinois. It’s one of America’s oldest national conservation organizations, with a mission of “Creating Healthy and Resilient Forests, from Cities to Wilderness, that Deliver Essential Benefits for Climate, People, Water and Wildlife.”

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1993 29¢ Legends of American Music: Otis Redding
September 9, 1941

Birth of Otis Redding

Otis Ray Redding Jr. was born on September 9, 1941, in Dawson, Georgia. Despite his brief career, it’s been said that his marriage of traditional R&B with folk music in the 1960s took soul to a new level.

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1993 29¢ Country Music Legends: Patsy Cline
September 8, 1932

Birth of Patsy Cline

Singer Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. When she was 13, she was hospitalized for a throat infection and rheumatic fever, which she said gave her a “booming voice like Kate Smith.”

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1998 32¢ Celebrate the Century - 1910s: U.S. Enters World War I
September 7, 1813

The Origins of “Uncle Sam”

On September 7, 1813, a newspaper referred to the United States as “Uncle Sam.” The name reportedly came from Troy, New York’s Uncle Sam Wilson, and has since become one of America’s most enduring national symbols.

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More American History stories…

1958 4¢ Forest Conservation
September 10, 1875

The American Forestry Association

The American Forestry Association was founded on September 10, 1875, in Chicago, Illinois. It’s one of America’s oldest national conservation organizations, with a mission of “Creating Healthy and Resilient Forests, from Cities to Wilderness, that Deliver Essential Benefits for Climate, People, Water and Wildlife.”

Read Article
1998 32¢ Celebrate the Century - 1910s: U.S. Enters World War I
September 7, 1813

The Origins of “Uncle Sam”

On September 7, 1813, a newspaper referred to the United States as “Uncle Sam.” The name reportedly came from Troy, New York’s Uncle Sam Wilson, and has since become one of America’s most enduring national symbols.

Read Article
1974 10¢ First Continental Congress: We Ask for Peace, Liberty and Safety
September 5, 1774

First Continental Congress

On September 5, 1774, the First Continental Congress opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It marked the first time the colonies gathered together to resist English oppression.

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945 - 1947 3¢ Thomas A. Edison
September 4, 1882

Start of the Electrical Age 

On September 4, 1882, Thomas Edison began providing electricity to a portion of New York City, an event often considered the start of the electrical age.

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More stories from September 11th…

#5960j - 2025 First-Class Forever Stamp - Appalachian Trail: Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
September 11, 1935

Construction Begins on Blue Ridge Parkway

On September 11, 1935, workers broke ground on the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway near Cumberland Knob in North Carolina. Though it would take more than 50 years to complete, it’s been the most visited National Park Service site nearly every year since 1946, earning the nickname, “America’s Favorite Drive.”

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1997 32c Football Coaches: Bear Bryant, red bar
September 11, 1913

Birth of Bear Bryant

Football star and coach Paul William “Bear” Bryant was born on September 11, 1913, in Moro Bottom, Arkansas. Over the course of his coaching career, he broke the record at the time for the most victories, with 323 regular season wins.

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2000 33¢ Brandywine Flag
September 11, 1777

Washington Defeated at Brandywine

On September 11, 1777, George Washington’s forces lost the battle of Brandywine. It was the largest battle of the war, involving over 30,000 troops between both sides, and it was the second-longest single-day battle, lasting 11 hours.

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1937 2¢ Decatur & MacDonough
September 11, 1814

The Battle of Plattsburgh

On September 11, 1814, American forces won an important victory at the Battle of Plattsburgh (also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain).

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