Christmas
Birth of Howard Pyle
Illustrator and author Howard Pyle was born on March 5, 1853, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Birth of Horatio Alger
Horatio Alger, Jr. was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on January 13, 1832.
First Performance of “Silent Night”
“Silent Night” was first performed on Christmas Eve in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, in 1818.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
On December 18, 1966, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered on TV.
The World’s First Christmas Stamp
On December 7, 1898, Canada issued what many consider to be the world’s first Christmas stamp.
First U.S. Self-Adhesive Stamp
On November 15, 1974, the USPS issued its first experimental self-adhesive stamp.
First U.S. Christmas Stamp
On November 1, 1962, the US Post Office issued its first-ever Christmas stamp, starting a popular tradition that continues to this day.
Holiday Celebrations Series
On October 22, 1996, the USPS issued its first stamp honoring Hanukkah, which was also the first stamp in the Holiday Celebrations Series.
First U.S. Forever Stamp Issued
On April 12, 2007, the USPS issued its first Forever stamp, which featured a patriotic image of the Liberty Bell.