This Day In History

Today, July 8th

Recent stories…

#H47 - 1883-86 25c Hawaii, dark violet,perf 12, wove paper
July 7, 1898

The US Annexes Hawaii 

On July 7, 1898, President William McKinley signed legislation annexing Hawaii, paving the way for it to become a US state.

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# 1901 - 1982 5.9c Transportation Series: Bicycle, 1870s
July 6, 1894

Bicycle Mail 

On July 6, 1894, a San Francisco businessman operated a short-lived bicycle mail route in San Francisco, complete with his own stamps.

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#2152 - 1985 22c Korean War Veterans
July 5, 1950

Battle of Osan 

On July 5, 1950, US forces had their first fight of the Korean War at the Battle of Osan.

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834 - 1938 $5 Coolidge
July 4, 1872

Birth of Calvin Coolidge 

Future President John Calvin Coolidge Jr. was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1872.  He would serve as America’s 30th president, taking the office upon the unexpected death of President Warren Harding.

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More Aviation stories…

#3649 - 2002 37c Masters of American Photography, s/a
June 13, 2002

Final Issue of the Classic Collection

On June 13, 2002, the USPS issued the final sheet in the Classic Collection Series. The popular series ran for 6 years and included 11 stamp sheets, including one of the most famous stamp errors of modern history.

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1988 36c Igor Sikorsky Airmail
May 24, 1940

First Successful Single-Rotor Helicopter Flight

On May 24, 1940, Igor Sikorsky successfully flew the first single-rotor helicopter. Sikorsky developed the world’s first mass-produced helicopter and one of the first American helicopters used in World War II.

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3184m - 1998 32c Celebrate the Century - 1920s: Lindbergh
May 20, 1927

First Solo Non-Stop Flight Across the Atlantic 

On May 20, 1927, Charles Lindbergh began his famous flight across the Atlantic aboard the Spirit of St. Louis. Flying alone for 33 hours across 3,600 miles in stormy weather, he became an instant celebrity and American legend.

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#C3 - 1918 24c Curtiss Jenny, carmine rose & blue
May 15, 1918

First US Airmail Flight 

On May 15, 1918, America’s airmail service began when two Curtiss Jennys departed New York and Washington, DC. In the months that followed, pioneering aviators expanded airmail service over the treacherous Allegheny Mountains to Chicago and eventually the west coast.

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More stories from July 8th…

1993 29¢ World University Games
July 8, 1993

The World University Games

On July 8, 1993, the first Summer World University Games to be hosted in the US opened in Buffalo, NY.  The World University Games is the largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympics. 

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#746 - 1934 7c Acadia, Maine, Black, Perf. 11
July 8, 1916

Acadia National Park

On July 8, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson created Sieur de Monts National Monument, which later became Acadia National Park.  The park is located on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, Isle Au Haut, on the Schoodic Peninsula.

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#1518 - 1974 6.3c Liberty Bell, rotary press coil, vertical perf 10
July 8, 1776

Liberty Bell Rings for Independence 

On July 8, 1776, the Liberty Bell was rung to announce the reading of the Declaration of Independence.  

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5191 - 2017 70c Robert Panara
July 8, 1920

Birth of Robert Panara

Robert F. Panara was born on July 8, 1920, in the Bronx, New York. Panara was one of America’s leading deaf educators. His work helped pioneer the field and promote the idea that deafness is not a disability, but a different way to view the world.

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