INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Postal Service has released a stamp honoring the Flag Act of 1818, the law that established the basic design of the American flag: 13 stripes and one star for each state in the union.
“The Flag Act of 1818 established the framework of our country’s flag, and in the process, gave birth to what has become a globally recognized symbol of independence, hope and pride,” said Pat Mendonca, senior director of the Office of the Postmaster General, who led the recent dedication ceremony in Appleton, WI.
Before the law, the nation’s official flag showed 15 stars and 15 stripes. The union’s expansion to 20 states in 1817 required lawmakers to rethink the flag’s configuration.
Rather than increasing the number of stripes every time a new state joined the union, the Flag Act reduced their number to 13, signifying the original 13 colonies, and increased the number of stars to reflect the current number of states in the union.
The act requires the addition of a new star on Independence Day following the admission of a new state. The flag has had 50 stars since July 4, 1960, when a new star was added after Hawaii became the 50th state.
The stamp, which shows a flag with crisp folds and a layering effect, is the second Old Glory-themed stamp this year. In February, the Postal Service released this year’s U.S. Flag stamp.
USPS dedicated the stamp during Appleton’s Flag Day Parade, the nation’s oldest such parade.
The stamp is available at usps.com and Post Offices. The USPS news release has more information.
Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 120 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to:
FDOI – Flag Act of 1818 Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by Oct. 9, 2018.
Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the USA Philatelic publicationat usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic publication online at usps.com/philatelic.
Philatelic Products
Philatelic products for this stamp issue are available at usps.com/shop.
- 477800, Flag Act of 1818, $0.50.
- 477810, Keepsake, $11.95
- 477816, First-Day Cover, $0.94.
- 477821, Digital Color Postmark, $1.65.
- 477824, Framed Art, $39.95
- 477830, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.
For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf. Follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/usps), Instagram (instagram.com/uspostalservice), Pinterest (pinterest.com/uspsstamps), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/usps), subscribe to our channel on YouTube (youtube.com/usps), like us on Facebook (facebook.com/usps) and view our Postal Posts blog (uspsblog.com).
For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.
