This Date in History: Stamps

Stamps were first issued by the colony on 1 September 1853. The two stamps that were issued were a one penny in brick-red and a four pence in blue. The unusual shape of the stamps was probably inspired by the large triangular obliterator used by the Cape Revenue Department from 1839. The stamps were printed by Messrs Perkins, Bacon & Co in London. The original die for these stamps was cut by William Humphrys, an engraver employed by Perkins Bacon. Sheets of a special handmade paper, measuring 282mm by 536mm, were used to print 240 stamps per sheet. The stamps were issued imperforate. The rate of postage within the colony was 4d for a half-ounce letter and 1d for a newspaper.

The feast of Saint Gabriel was included by Pope Benedict XV in the General Roman Calendar in 1921, for celebration on 24th March.  In 1969, the day was officially transferred to 29th September for celebration in conjunction with the feast of the archangels St. Michael and St. Raphael.  The Church of England has also adopted the 29th September date, known there as Michaelmas.

The Armistice of 11 November 1918 was the armistice signed at Le Francport near Compiègne that ended fighting on land, sea and air in World War I between the Allies and their last remaining opponent, Germany. Previous armistices had been agreed with Bulgaria, the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Also known as the Armistice of Compiègne from the place where it was signed at 5:45 a.m. by the Allied Supreme Commander, French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, it came into force at 11:00 a.m. Paris time on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a defeat for Germany, although not formally a surrender.

Anne, Princess Royal, KG, KT, GCVO, GCStJ, QSO, CD (Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise; born 15 August 1950) is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. She is 14th in line to the throne as of August 2019 and has been Princess Royal since 1987.

Anne first met her future husband Mark Phillips in 1968 at a party for equestrians and horse enthusiasts.  Their engagement was announced on 29 May 1973.  On 14 November 1973, Anne married Phillips, a lieutenant in the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards, at Westminster Abbey in a ceremony that was televised around the world, with an estimated audience of 100 million.  Following the wedding, Anne and her husband lived at Gatcombe Park.  He was made acting captain by the start of 1974 when he was appointed a personal aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II.

As was customary for untitled men marrying into the royal family, Phillips was offered an earldom. He declined this offer, and consequently their children were born without courtesy titles.  The couple would have two children, Peter (born 1977) and Zara Phillips (born 1981).

The Royal British Legion (RBL), sometimes called the British Legion, is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependents.  The British Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-service community as a merger of three organizations: the Comrades of the Great War, the National Association of Discharged Sailors and Soldiers and the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers, and incorporated the fundraising department of the Officers' Association.

A royal charter was granted in 1925, accompanied by invaluable patronage from royal circles. During the Second World War, it was active in civil defense, providing officers to the Home Guard. Its membership grew rapidly from veterans of the Second World War, reaching 3 million in 1950. It declined to a half million elderly survivors by 2003.  Perhaps best known for the yearly Poppy Appeal and Remembrance services, the Legion is a campaigning organization that promotes the welfare and interests of current and former members of the British Armed Forces.  Service in the military is no longer a requirement of Legion membership.