Flags

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.

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. 

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.

On September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered to the Allies aboard the USS Missouri. This is celebrated as VJ in the US. Many other countries celebrate VJ Day on August 15, when Japan announced its surrender.

On August 23, 1784, an American merchant ship unfurled the Stars and Stripes for the first time in China. The Chinese dubbed it the “Flower Flag,” and its passengers, “flower flag countrymen,” a name that endures today.

On July 20, 1969, the US effectively won the Space Race when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Eagle lunar module on the Moon’s surface.  

On June 22, 1942, Congress formally adopted the Pledge of Allegiance.  Originally written by Francis Bellamy in 1884, the pledge been altered some over the years, but has remained unchanged since 1954.

On June 14, 1777, Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States.  Over time, this date became known as Flag Day, with it becoming an official national event in 1949.

On March 11, 1977, the USPS issued its first se-tenant stamps in booklet form.  The stamps had two different denominations, one to meet the first-class rate and one to meet the postcard rate.  This issue also included the first multi-color booklet stamp.