On this day in 1938, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt delivered a letter in honor of National Airmail Week commemorating the 20th anniversary of airmail service. She is pictured here with DC Postmaster Vincent C. Burke. Also attending was the Assistant Postmaster General in Charge of Airmail Harlee Branch.
Note the American Airlines Flagship Skysleeper in the background. A Douglas DC-3, this airplane revolutionized commercial passenger travel in the United States and also became a workhorse for freight and mail delivery. Ceremonies were held at post offices nationwide in honor of the anniversary.
Note that Mrs. Roosevelt’s fox fur seems more interested in the letter than the First Lady.
(Photo Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Harris and Ewing Collection)
