Happy Birthday Teddy Roosevelt
America’s 26th president, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was born October 27, 1858, in New York City. The youngest man to ever hold the office, he considered one of his greatest achievements to be the Panama Canal.
This Day in History
First Flight of the P-51 Mustang
On October 26, 1940, the P-51 Mustang completed its first flight. It went on to take down more enemy planes than any other fighter in Europe and was the United Nations’ main fighter plane during the Korean War.
Birth of Pablo Picasso
Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born on October 25, 1881, in Málaga, Spain. One of the most famous artists of the 20th century, he’s been honored on stamps by countries around the world.
Completion of Transcontinental Telegraph
On October 24, 1861, Western Union joined the eastern and western lines in Salt Lake City, Utah, completing the Transcontinental Telegraph. Soon, intricately engraved stamps were produced for the different telegraph companies to show that messages had been paid for.
First Public Flight by an American Female Aviator
On October 23, 1910, Blanche Scott became the first American female pilot to make a public flight. Nicknamed the “Tomboy of the Air,” she became an accomplished stunt pilot, flying the daredevil circuit.
Microprinting in US Stamps
On October 22, 1992, the USPS issued its first stamps that incorporated microprinting in the design. These were also the first stamps to have microprinted text. Today, most US stamps include microprinting as a security feature.
Birth of Alfred Nobel
Alfred Bernhard Nobel was born on October 21, 1833, in Stockholm, Sweden.
America’s First Automated Post Office
On October 20, 1960, America’s first automated post office opened in Providence, Rhode Island. Issued that same day, this stamp was so popular it inspired the Post Office to continue producing stamps with postal themes.
Birth of Arleigh Burke
US Navy Admiral Arleigh Burke was born on October 19, 1901, in Boulder, Colorado. He Served with distinction during WWII and went on to serve an unprecedented three terms as chief of Naval Operations.