The Granite Railway
On October 7, 1826, the Granite Railway opened in Massachusetts. Built to carry granite for the Bunker Hill Monument, it’s been called the first chartered and commercial railroad in the United States.
This Day in History
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Establishment of Germantown, PA
On October 6, 1683, thirty-three Germans arrived in Pennsylvania to establish the first major German settlement in America. The settlement would go on to become the birthplace of the anti-slavery movement, first bank of the United States, and more.
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World Teachers’ Day
On October 5, 1994, the first World Teachers’ Day was observed. Also called International Teachers’ Day, it’s a time to appreciate our teachers and support efforts to improve their education and working conditions.
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Birth of Coles Phillips
Clarence Coles Phillips was born on October 3, 1880, in Springfield, Ohio. Considered one of the leaders of the Golden Age of Illustration, he’s most well-known for his “fadeaway” girls, as pictured on his 2001 stamp.
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The “Baby Zepp”
On October 2, 1933, the Century of Progress airmail stamp, affectionately known as “Baby Zepp” was issued. It sold poorly at the time and 90% of the stamps were destroyed, leaving a relatively small number available today.
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America’s First Superhighway
On October 1, 1940, the Pennsylvania Turnpike opened to drivers. Measuring 160-miles at the time of its opening, it’s considered the first superhighway in the US and helped inspire other state turnpikes and America’s Interstate Highway System.
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Founding of the Mayo Clinic
On September 30, 1889, the first building of the Mayo Clinic opened to the public. Today its one of the world’s largest medical centers and the top-ranked hospital in the US.
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First State Fair in America
On September 29, 1841, New York held the first state fair in the US. Today it’s the oldest and one of the most highly attended of all US state fairs.
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The Air Mail Scandal of the 1930s
On September 28, 1933, an investigation was launched into the awarding of contracts for airmail flights. The Airmail Fiasco, as it was also known, eventually led to wide-scale improvements to the airline industry and modernization of the Army Air Corps.
