On November 5, 1781, John Hanson was elected president of the Continental Congress. He was the first president to serve a full one-year term under the Articles of Confederation – a which has led some to call him the first president of the United States.
William Penn Adair Rogers was born on November 4, 1879, in Oologah, Cherokee Nation (present-day Oklahoma). A popular actor and humorist, he was called “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” and “America’s Favorite Cowboy.”
Stephen Fuller Austin was born on November 3, 1793, in Wythe County (present-day Austinville), Virginia. Known as the “Father of Texas,” he led the first successful American settlement there.
On November 2, 1917, the first class mail rate was raised from 2¢ to 3¢ to help cover the cost of the war effort. The extra 1¢ per ounce was charged as a war tax.
On November 1, 1966, the US Post Office issued its first Traditional Christmas stamp, inspired by the popularity of the first Contemporary Christmas stamp four years earlier. By 1970, both stamp themes were so popular, the Post Office created two separate Christmas series that continue to this day.
On October 31, 1975, the USPS issued the first stamp in the Americana Series. The patriotically themed stamps picture symbols of our nation as well as Revolution-era objects and buildings.
On October 30, 1938, Orson Welles created a panic with his War of the Worlds broadcast, which some listeners believed was a real news story.
On October 29, 1929, the worst stock market crash in history occurred, marking the start of the decade-long Great Depression. FDR’s New Deal and Works Progress Administration helped the US recover.
On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York harbor. It’s stood as a symbol of the United States ever since and has been featured on dozens of stamps over the years.