High-resolution images of the stamps are available for media use only by emailing: david.walton@usps.gov
NASHVILLE — January 8 marks the 200th anniversary of Andrew Jackson’s triumphant victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans. To commemorate this historic event, the U.S. Postal Service will dedicate the War of 1812 Battle of New Orleans Limited Edition Forever stamp during a special ceremony at the home of the seventh President of the United States: Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage.
The 1 p.m. CST stamp dedication ceremony will take place in Andrew Jackson Center auditorium, 4580 Rachel’s Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076.
The January 8 event is being held in conjunction with the opening of Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm – a new exhibit which tells the story of Jackson’s meteoric rise from his humble beginnings to his presidency though bold visuals and a series of interactive displays. Admission will not be charged January 8 to commemorate the opening of the special exhibit and the stamp event.
“Andrew Jackson may best be known for his presidency, but for Tennesseans he’s also known as a founder of the Volunteer State,” said Tennessee Marketing Manager Kelly Hirtzer. “We are honored to be teaming up with Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage to dedicate this stamp featuring the battle which turned Jackson into a national icon.”
“We are thrilled that the Postal Service has chosen to create a commemorative stamp for the Battle of New Orleans.” said Howard Kittell, president and CEO of Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage. “That stunning victory by the American forces under the leadership of Major General Jackson had a profound impact on the course of our nation, putting him on the national stage and ultimately in the White House are our first ‘modern president.’”
To mark the event a special postmark featuring Jackson’s signature will be available in the museum store at the visitor center complex. It will also be available at the Hermitage Post Office for 30 days (3908 Lebanon Road, Hermitage, TN 37076) beginning January 8. Mail order requests for the special cancellation are also available for 30 days beginning January 8. Customers should allow at least a 2-inch by 4-inch space in the stamp area for the postmark and have postage applied to cards or letters before mailing them — inside another envelope — to the Hermitage Post Office.
The Battle of New Orleans was the most decisive victory in the war for the underdog Americans. The British suffered some 2,000 casualties who were gunned down while trying to breach Jackson's line. Jackson instantly became a national hero.
Ironically, the battle was fought two weeks after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which essentially declared the war a draw. But this news had not reached American shores, and the treaty would not be ratified until February 1815. Jackson’s victory, coming as it did in the final weeks of the war and before the peace treaty was ratified, left Americans with the impression they had won the war as a whole — and had defeated the greatest power in the world.
For more information:
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage: http://thehermitage.com
Other Forever stamps commemorating events surrounding the War of 1812 include: USS Constitution, Battle of Lake Erie, the Star Spangled Banner and the Battle of Fort McHenry.
Customers can purchase the stamps at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage on the day of the event and at Post Offices nationwide. The stamps also can be pre-ordered at the Postal Store or 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724).
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations
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