There’s a great, madcap movie to be made about the early days of airmail in the United States. The inaugural airmail flight between D.C. and New York City was ruined when the confused pilot accidentally flew south instead, earning him the nickname “Wrong Way Boyle.” The post office initially used rickety open-cockpit wooden biplanes, in all sorts of weather, making airmail delivery a dangerous job that claimed the lives of dozens of pilots and injured many more. “Dead sticked. Flying low. Only place to land on cow. Killed cow. Wrecked airplane. Scared me,” was one mail pilot’s famous telegram after crash-landing somewhere in Iowa. (The post office replaced the dead cow at a cost of $75.) May 15th, 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the first regularly scheduled airmail service, and to commemorate the centennial, the National Postal Museum is launching a year-long exhibition called Postmen of the Skies. Stop by to learn about a fascinating and obscure segment of American history, and to celebrate those dashing young pilots who braved wind, snow, sleet, rain, and cows to bring your ancestors the mail. Read more>>> The exhibition is on view to May 27, 2019 at the National Postal Museum, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE. Free. (202) 633-5555. postalmuseum.si.edu. (Justin Peters)
OH AND ALSO
Twenty-year-old Toronto rapper Killy performs at Songbyrd Music House. 8 p.m. at 2477 18th St. NW. $15–$18.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture continues its run of Represent: Hip-Hop Photography, an exhibition showcasing photos from hip-hop’s early days and its subsequent rapid expansion into a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 15th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. Free.
Union Stage presents Military & Arts Open Mic in the Tap Room, an open to the public, walk-in welcome event that features open mic performers from Armed Services Arts Partnership, the Veterans Writing Project, and other members of the local military, veterans, and arts communities. 5 p.m. at 740 Water St. SW. Free.
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