Happy Birthday Chester A. Arthur
America’s 21st president, Chester Alan Arthur was born October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont. He instituted major civil service reform, despite rising to prominence in part through the old patronage system.
This Day in History
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Start of Modern FDC Collecting
On October 4, 1922, an 11¢ Hayes stamp was issued on a specific date in a specific city for the first time. Many consider this to be the start of modern First Day Cover Collecting.
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Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis
On October 3, 1985, the Space Shuttle Atlantis made its maiden flight. Atlantis remained in service for 26 years, flying 33 missions, including the final space shuttle mission in 2011.
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Birth of Wallace Stevens
Poet Wallace Stevens was born on October 2, 1879, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Considered Stevens the “best and most representative” American poet of his era, he earned multiple awards, including the 1955 Pulitzer Prize.
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Happy National Stamp Collecting Month!
On October 1, 1981, the USPS began its very first National Stamp Collecting Month. Four years later, they began issuing stamps to help promote National Stamp Collecting Month, a tradition that continues today.
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James Dean Dies in Car Crash
A rising star in Hollywood, James Dean’s death on September 30, 1955 sent shockwaves across America. Dean’s career consisted of three major films produced in just 17 months – only one of which was released before his death.
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U.S. Army Established
On September 29, 1789, Congress created the US Army after multiple requests from President George Washington. This marked the creation of America’s permanent Army more than 10 years after the Revolutionary-era Continental Army was disbanded.
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Happy Birthday Ed Sullivan
Legendary TV personality Ed Sullivan was born on September 28, 1901, in Harlem, New York City. He was called a “star-maker” because many of the guests on his TV show became household names after their appearances.
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First Public Steam Engine Railroad
On September 27, 1825, the Stockton-Darlington Railway inaugurated its first steam engine-powered trip, carrying passengers and coal. The success of that trip proved the rails could be used for transporting more than coal and helped to popularize steam locomotives in Europe and the US.
