This Day In History

Today, July 19th

Recent stories…

# 2010 - 1982 20c Horatio Alger
July 18, 1899

Death of Horatio Alger 

On July 18, 1899, “rags to riches” author Horatio Alger died. He’s best known for his story Ragged Dick, about a boot shiner who rose to middle-class success.

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# 1355 - 1968 6c Walt Disney
July 17, 1955

Disneyland Opens to Massive Crowd 

On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney realized one of his long-time dreams when he opened his Disneyland amusement park in Anaheim, California. For decades, it was the most-visited park in the world.

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1969 6¢ California Settlement
July 16, 1769

Spanish Found First Mission in California 

On July 16, 1769, Franciscan friar Junipero Serra founded California’s first Catholic mission. This marked the beginning of the Spanish mission system in California, which would go on to shape the culture, history, and landscape of the region for centuries.

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#2100 - 1981 Korea, Dem. People's Republic
July 15, 1606

Birth of Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was born on July 15, 1606, in Leiden, the Dutch Republic (present-day Netherlands).

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More Stamp Expositions stories…

1936 TIPEX Souvenir Sheet
May 9, 1936

Opening of TIPEX

On May 9, 1936, the Third International Philatelic Exhibition (TIPEX) opened at Grand Central Palace in New York City. The exhibition included the issue of a four-stamp souvenir sheet, a visit from he Hindenburg, and more. 

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1987 22¢ North American Wildlife
June 13, 1987

North American Wildlife Sheet

On June 13, 1987, the North American Wildlife sheet became the third US 50-stamp se-tenant.  It was also the third stamp issue with a First Day ceremony outside of the US, in Canada.   

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1976 13¢ Interphil ‘76
May 29, 1976

Opening of INTERPHIL ’76 

On May 29, 1976, the Seventh US International Philatelic Exhibition (INTERPHIL) opened to the public. Celebrating the American Bicentennial, the show had more than 75,000 visitors.

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2016 47c World Stamp Show Blue Vignette
May 28, 2016

World Stamp Show 2016

On May 28, 2016, the doors opened on America’s 11th International Stamp Exhibition, World Stamp Show 2016. It marked the show’s return to New York after 60 years.

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More stories from July 19th…

1979 10¢ Summer Olympic Games
July 19, 1980

1980 Summer Olympics

On July 19, 1980, the Summer Olympic Games opened in Moscow, Soviet Union.  They were the first Olympics to be held in Eastern Europe. The US was among 65 countries that boycotted the games, and the numerous stamps issued to commemorate the games were removed from sale until after the Olympics were finished.

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2006 39¢ DC Comics Super Heroes: Superman
July 19, 1883

Happy Birthday Max Fleischer

Animator, inventor, and film director Max Fleischer was born in Kraków, Poland, on July 19, 1883. Fleischer patented several animation innovations and was behind popular cartoons such as Betty Boop, Popeye, and Superman, earning the nickname “The Dean of Animated Cartoons.”

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1995 32¢ Woman’s Suffrage
July 19, 1848

First Women’s Rights Convention in the US

On July 19, 1848, the Women’s Rights Convention, also known as the Seneca Falls Convention, opened in New York. The convention’s attendants issued a declaration calling for equal rights, including the right to vote.

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1942 Win the War stamp
July 19, 1941

“V” for Victory Campaign

On July 19, 1941, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill officially established the “V” for Victory campaign. The letter “V” became a rallying cry for people in occupied nations as well as Germans who opposed the Nazis.

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