2016 Patriotic Spiral stamps

2016 47c Patriotic Spiral, booklet

Value: 47c

Issued: August 19, 2016
First Day City: Kansas City MO
Type of Stamp: First Class Mail
Method: Offset, Microprint
Self-Adhesive

Throughout its history, liberty and freedom have been the defining principles of the United States of America. The stars of our nation’s flag represent fifty separate states united by these principles and the patriots who fought for them.

One of the Founding Fathers and first American patriots was Patrick Henry. In his famous speech before the Virginia Assembly on March 23, 1775, Henry said “Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace – but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!… Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Patrick Henry’s words inspired George Washington and Congress to fight for independence. Today, his words echo in the hearts of many Americans when they see the flag. The Stars and Stripes represents the courage and strength of the first patriots.

Our core values of liberty and freedom were included in the Constitution to guarantee them to all future generations. Americans today still strive “to form a more perfect Union,” and “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”