George Washington

2000 33¢ Brandywine Flag
September 11, 1777

Washington Defeated at Brandywine

On September 11, 1777, George Washington’s forces lost the battle of Brandywine. It was the largest battle of the war, involving over 30,000 troops between both sides, and it was the second-longest single-day battle, lasting 11 hours.

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1873 $2 Green and Black, Department of State, Seward, Hard Paper
July 27, 1789

Department of State Established 

On July 27, 1789, the Department of Foreign Affairs was created, which was later renamed the Department of State. It was the first department established under the US Constitution and its primary role is to help the President develop and carry out a foreign policy.

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1975 10¢ US Military Uniforms: Continental Army
June 14, 1775

Continental Army Formed 

On June 14, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army, the precursor of the United States Army. Commanded by George Washington, they faced off against the British in such notable battles as Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown.

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1902 8¢ Martha Washington
June 2, 1731

Happy Birthday Martha Washington 

America’s first First Lady was born Martha Dandridge on June 2, 1731 (by the Old Style calendar), on her parents’ Chestnut Grove Plantation near Williamsburg, Virginia. After leading several initiatives to involve women in the Revolutionary War, Martha established many of the responsibilities and traditions of the office of first lady.

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1955 3¢ Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
April 15, 1741

Birth of Charles Willson Peale 

Artist Charles Willson Peale was born on April 15, 1741, in Chester, Province of Maryland. A prolific artist from the Revolutionary era, he painted more than 1,100 portraits, including several of George Washington.

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2021 55¢ Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses – Montauk Point Lighthouse, New York
April 12, 1792

Montauk Point Light

On April 12, 1792, Montauk Point Light was authorized by President George Washington.  It was the first lighthouse built in the state of New York and one of the first public works projects of the United States.

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1873 30¢ Official Stamp Post Office
February 20, 1792

Washington Establishes U.S. Post Office

On February 20, 1792, George Washington signed the Postal Service Act, creating the US Post Office.

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1875 10¢ Washington imperforate
January 8, 1790

Washington Delivers First State of the Union Address 

On January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered the very first State of the Union address at Federal Hall in New York City. It started a long tradition that continues to this day.

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1908 1¢ Franklin, green, double line watermark
December 29, 1908

First Nationwide Coil Stamp Issued

On December 29, 1908, the US Post Office Department issued its first coil stamps on a national scale. These stamps ushered in a new era in both mail delivery and philately.

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