Flags

2014 49¢ War of 1812: Fort McHenry
September 13, 1814

Battle of Fort McHenry

On September 13, 1814, the American garrison at Fort McHenry was subjected to a massive naval assault that ultimately inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It was a resounding American victory and a major turning point in the War of 1812.

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1992 29¢ Shield and Bunting Variable Rate Coil Computer Vended Postage
August 20, 1992

Computer Vended Postage Stamps 

On August 20, 1992, Computer Vended Postage stamps were first made available for sale in five test cities.

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1957 4¢ Old Glory, 48 stars
July 4, 1957

First US Flag Stamp

On July 4, 1957, the US Post Office issued its first stamp with the US flag as the central element.  It was also the first stamp printed by the Giori press, which allowed the design to be printed in its natural colors in one step.

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1970 6¢ Flag and White House
May 24, 1861

“Remember Ellsworth”

On May 24, 1861, Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, a close friend of President Abraham Lincoln, became the first Union officer to die in the Civil War. “Remember Ellsworth” soon became a popular rallying cry for the Union.

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1975 13¢ Flag Over Independence Hall
April 4, 1818

The Flag Act of 1818 

On April 4, 1818, President James Monroe signed a flag act that changed the way the US flag was updated when new states joined the Union.  This act has affected every US flag issued since… 

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1945 3¢ US Armed Forces: Iwo Jima
February 19, 1945

U.S. Marines Land on Iwo Jima

On February 19, 1945, the Battle of Iwo Jima began.  It was one of the bloodiest of the whole war, with over 44,000 combined casualties.

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1957 4¢ Old Glory, 48 stars
December 7, 1941

The Flag of Liberation

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. A day that will live in infamy, the attack prompted an unusual handling of the American flag, which became known as the Flag of Liberation.

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1953 3¢ New York City stamp
November 25, 1783

New York’s Evacuation Day

On November 25, 1783, the British Army left New York City following the American Revolutionary War.  The date was celebrated for over a century as Evacuation Day, with celebrations rivaling those held on the Fourth of July. 

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2002 34c & 11c Semipostal - Heroes of 2001 stamp
September 11, 2001

9/11 Terrorist Attacks And The Fate Of The Ground Zero Flag  

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America. It was an event that changed our world forever. From that day forward, the term “9/11” would symbolize both disaster and heroics.

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