Government

1968 6¢ Historic American Flags: Grand Union
December 3, 1775

The Grand Union Flag

On December 3, 1775, the Grand Union flag was reportedly flown for the first time. It was also the first time an American flag was raised over an American naval vessel.

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1922-25 $5 America, carmine and blue
December 2, 1863

Statue of Freedom Completed 

On December 2, 1863, the Statue of Freedom was placed atop the US Capitol to a 35-gun salute. The ceremony was held in the midst of the Civil War – President Lincoln had insisted the Capitol be completed as a symbol of American unity.

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1917 25¢ War Savings stamp, deep green, unwatermarked
December 1, 1917

War Savings Stamps Issued to Fund WWI

On December 1, 1917, first War Savings Stamp available for immediate use, WS1, was issued. In less than two years, more than $1.1 billion in stamps was sold.

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1971 8¢ CARE
November 27, 1945

Founding of CARE 

On November 27, 1945, Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe (CARE) was formed. Initially established to aid Europeans in the wake of WWII, it’s still in operation today, helping over 250 million people.

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2000 33¢ Celebrate the Century - 1980s: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
November 13, 1982

Dedication of Vietnam Veterans Memorial

On November 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was officially dedicated in Washington, DC. It stands as a tribute to the thousands of Americans who gave their lives in the conflict.

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1991 29¢ District of Columbia
November 3, 1964

Washington, D.C., Residents Vote in Their First Presidential Election

Though the District of Columbia has served as our nation’s capital since 1791, its residents didn’t get to vote in their first presidential election until November 3, 1964.

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1991 29¢ Flag over Mount Rushmore
October 31, 1941

Mount Rushmore is Complete

On October 31, 1941, work on Mount Rushmore was completed 14 years after it began. The final monument was quite different than it was originally planned.

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1938 2¢ John Adams, rose carmine
October 30, 1735

Happy Birthday, John Adams! 

John Adams was born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts, on October 30, 1735. Adams was America’s first vice president and second president.

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1983 20¢ US and Sweden
October 22, 1921

Birth of Czeslaw Slania 

One of the world’s most famous stamp engravers, Czeslaw Slania was born on October 22, 1921, in Czeladź near Katowice, Poland. He engraved more than 1,000 stamps during his lifetime for more than two dozen countries.

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