01 March - United States issued its first postage stamps depicting scenes rather than portraits

 

On 01 March 1869, the United States issued its first postage stamps depicting scenes rather than portraits of famous individuals. These stamps are collectively known as the "Pictorial Issue" and were a departure from the previous practice of featuring the likenesses of political figures on postage stamps.

Ten types of stamp in denominations between one cent and ninety cents were initially offered in the series, with eight of these introduced on March 19 and 20, 1869 and the two greatest values being distributed somewhat later.