MINEOLA, LONG ISLAND NY — The Post Office in this southern Long Island community is offering current and former residents and collectors a chance to put a mark on history. April 16th marks the 100 year anniversary of Harriet Quimby’s solo flight across the English Channel.
Mineola Postmaster David Torba said, “Quimby learned to fly right here in Mineola Long Island and was the first woman in America to earn her aviator’s license in 1911. The USPS honored Quimby’s life-long achievements by featuring her on the U.S. airmail stamp issued in 1991.”
To commemorate Quimby’s 100 year flight, the USPS has registered a special pictorial cancellation (postmark). In addition, anniversary cachets with the postmark will be available throughout the communitywide 3-day celebration. Coordinating the event is the Long Island Historical Society and Aviation Historian, Giacinta Bradley Koontz, who will be wearing a 1912 aviator outfit in honor of Harriet Quimby. Part of the ceremony presentation includes a slide show of Quimby’s adventures while performing at aviation shows in North America and Europe.
Women have had a strong and lasting impact on American history. The Postal Service is proud to honor their influence and achievements through the USPS stamp program. Women appearing on stamps are artists, abolitionists, national leaders and physicians. They are war heroes, pioneers, authors and performers.
In 1991, the postal service proudly unveiled a 50-cent air mail stamp honoring Harriet Quimby. The stamp illustrates Quimby wearing her trademark, self-designed purple satin flying outfit she worn while performing in aviation exhibitions.
Combined with her adventurous spirit and dramatic style, Quimby was also a successful and well-known journalist. After she became a pilot, she chronicled her flying exploits in many newspaper articles, allowing readers to soar with her. Although Quimby died in an aviation accident, her accomplishments encouraged others to also venture into uncharted areas.
Other women honored on stamps include, American painter and printmaker Mary Cassatt, a home-grown and world-renowned Impressionist; Harriet Tubman, who personally led over 300 individuals from slavery to freedom; Patsy Cline, whose nostalgic voice personifies the sound of country music; and Eleanor Roosevelt, the vocal and progressive First Lady, who became a champion for social reform and human rights.
Events scheduled include: (All events are free and open to the public)
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2012, 3:00 PM – 4:30 P.M.
CRADLE OF AVIATION MUSEUM
ONE DAVIS AVENUE
GARDEN CITY, LI, NEW YORK
MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2012, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
MINEOLA POST OFFICE
160 1st STREET,
MINEOLA, LI, NEW YORK
“The Postal Service offers pictorial postmark cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation,” said Postmaster David Torba. “People attending the events may obtain the cancellation in person.”
Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a free mail order request. Requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the pictorial cancellation date (by May 16, 2012).
Send mail order requests to:
Postmaster
P.O. Box 9998
Mineola, NY 10501-9998
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Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/welcome.htm.
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 150 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no direct support from taxpayers. With 36,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, the Postal Service relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years and the sixth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $68 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 28th in the 2009 Fortune 500.
