UN Issues Its First Stamps
On October 24, 1951, the United Nations issued its first postage stamps. The UN is the only organization that’s neither a country or territory to issue its own postage stamps.
This Day in History
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Dag Hammarskjöld Invert Controversy
On October 23, 1962, the US Post Office Department unknowingly issued an unknown number of inverted Dag Hammarskjöld error stamps. The fallout from this issue became known as Day’s Folly (after Postmaster General J. Edward Day).
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Birth of Czeslaw Slania
One of the world’s most famous stamp engravers, Czeslaw Slania was born on October 22, 1921, in Czeladź near Katowice, Poland. He engraved more than 1,000 stamps during his lifetime for more than two dozen countries.
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The Guggenheim Opens to the Public
On October 21, 1959, one of the world’s most renowned museums, the Guggenheim, opened in New York City.
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Birth of Charles Ives
Composer Charles Edward Ives was born on October 20, 1874, in Danbury, Connecticut. Though his music was largely unknown during his lifetime, he was later regarded as the leading composer of 20th-century art music.
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NYC’s Lost Washington Monument
On October 19, 1847, a grand celebration proceeded the laying of the cornerstone of New York City’s planned 425-foot Washington Monument. The monument was never completed and the cornerstone was lost to time.
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Legends of the West Controversy
On October 18, 1994, the USPS issued a corrected Legends of the West stamp sheet after it was discovered they had made an error in their original design. It was one of the biggest stamp stories in years!
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Carter Establishes Department of Education
On October 17, 1979, U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed legislation establishing the US Department of Education. The department creates policies, monitors federal funding, and ensures equal education for students.
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2nd U.S. International Philatelic Exhibition
On October 16, 1926, the US hosted its second international philatelic exhibition in New York, New York. Among the show’s highlights was the issue of America’s first souvenir sheet.
