Philadelphia Light Horse flag 4.7.1968

Philadelphia Light Horse flag, 1775

This set of 10 stamps saluted the symbolic banners of America's struggle for independence. Nine of the flags in the set were selected because of their important roles in the Revolutionary War period. One flag, the one flown at Ft. McHenry, inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner during the War of 1812.

A Brief History of the U.S. Navy Jack

In the fall of 1775, as the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued a set of fleet signals. Among these signals was an instruction directing his vessels to fly a striped Jack and Ensign at their proper places. The custom of the jack-type flag had originated with the Royal Navy in the 15th century or earlier; such was the likely source of Hopkins' inspiration. This first U.S. Navy Jack has traditionally been shown as consisting of 13 horizontal alternating red and white stripes with a superimposed rattlesnake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me." The rattlesnake had long been a symbol of resistance to British repressive acts in Colonial America; its display on the new jack of the fledging Continental Navy fit naturally with the fervor of the times.

Thank you Merja.

The Star Spangled Banner 9.8.1948

The Rose pink U.S. 3¢ stamp on this first day of issue cover was issued on 9.8.1948 at Frederick, MD which honoured the  “Star Spangled Banner” author Francis Scott Key. The stamp features a portrait of Key, American flags from 1814 and 1948, his family home, and Fort McHenry.

“The Star Spangled Banner”. “And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” A respected young lawyer from Georgetown named Francis Scott Key (1779-1843) authored this excerpt, from one of the most famous songs ever written about the American flag. 

The story of Key’s experience leading up to the writing of this song begins in August 1814. After the British invaded America’s capitol, and set fire to the White House, Key learned that a loved and respected physician from Upper Marlboro named Dr. William Beanes had been taken by the British. The locals asked Key to rescue him. 

Key, joined by Colonel John Skinner, boarded the Tonnant, where Beanes was being held, and convinced the British to release him. However, the three had overheard many of the British plans and were held behind the British fleet. On September 13, 1814, the 25-hour battle began. The British fired 1,500 bombshells through the air by dawn onSeptember 14, at which point they retreated. 

Key anxiously waited in the darkness. He hoped that when light came, he might still see the flag. And, much to his relief, “the flag was still there.” 

The poem he wrote on that day was set to the tune of the British drinking song, “The Anacreontic Song,” by John Stafford Smith. The Navy first officially used the song in 1889. President Herbert Hoover officially made it the national anthem in 1931 by a congressional resolution.

Thank you Dear Merja for this memorable First Day Cover.

Star Flag stamp 9.1.1963

The U.S. 1963-66 5¢ 50-Star Flag Blue and red coloured stamp was the first stamp to meet the increased 5¢ domestic letter rate. Featuring the American Flag, it is also the only U.S. definitive or commemorative stamp not to have any lettering at all on it, although it does show the denomination that went into effect two days before it was issued on 9.1.1963.

This stamp is one of the few U.S. stamps that doesn’t note the country that issued it, although the image of the flag makes it clear. Earlier in the year, Postmaster General J. Edward Day had noted that “only precedent” suggested that “U.S.,” or “U.S.A.,” or some other sign of nationality should be included.

Thank you Merja for this FDC.