Holidays

Do you know some of the early origins of Halloween? Or how Jack-o’-lanterns got their name? Read on to discover lots of neat Halloween history…

In parts of the US, Canada, and Great Britain, October 30 is celebrated as Mischief Night. It’s a night for older children, teens, and adults to engage in a little mischief, and has a history dating back to the 1700s!

The first Oktoberfest began on October 12, 1810.  Initially a celebration for the crowned prince’s wedding, it’s grown to become the largest folk festival in the world.

On October 9, 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first presidential proclamation of Fire Prevention Day.  Fire Prevention Day is held in October to commemorate and remind us of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

On October 3, 1789 and 1863, two sitting presidents called on Americans to celebrate a day of Thanksgiving in November.

On September 5, 1882, the first Labor Day parade in the United States was held in New York City. A little over a decade later, Labor Day became a Federal holiday.

On June 19, 1910, one of the first Father’s Day celebrations was held at the YMCA in Spokane, Washington.  It would be another 62 years before it was made a permanent national holiday.

On May 30, 1868, the first Memorial Day, then called Decoration Day, was held in the United States.  It’s grown to become a federal holiday dedicated to remembering the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers.

On April 20, 1987, the USPS issued the set of eight Special Occasions stamps, the first “special” stamp booklet.