A cool aspect of New England in general is that it is rife with the atmosphere of the earliest history of our country. Cooler still is that so many relics still exist. Examples might include Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market in Boston near where the Revolution literally began with the Boston Massacre. Or, Independence Hall in Philadelphia where the room and actual chair John Hancock sat in during debate over our freedom from Great Britain is still present. Certainly, Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is a literal trip in the WayBack machine....
The same is true for nearby Yorktown where the Revolution ended with the defeat of General Cornwallis in 1781. Particularly striking about the Yorktown battlefield are the still existing bunkers from which the US Army fought as they laid siege against the British. To this day, visitors can walk that battlefield and stand in those actual bunkers.
Naturally, there are a few historical hiccups regarding absolute facts. For instance, most now know George Washington did not have wooden teeth. Instead, they were made of a combination of ivory and actual human or animal teeth. Also, while July 4 is a great rallying date for everyone, the Declaration of Independence wasn’t fully signed until August 2, 1776.
Also curious is the myth behind our militia or “Minutemen.” While it’s true they were vital and most men and families owned guns for personal protection or for hunting, their prowess with firearms was legendarily sad. In fact, it’s historically reported that, at Lexington and Concord, thousands of shots were fired by the American militia for every one that actually hit a redcoat.
As many still recall, in 1976, for our Bi-Centennial, the Postal Service produced a cavalcade of issues celebrating the anniversary including multiple postal souvenir sheets replete with famous colonial images. So far, this year, the releases have been overtly slim. Happily, last week the USPS finally released a sheet of 25 “Forever” stamps featuring the portraits of as many colonial figures. Some pictured are famous colonists and statesmen. Others may be unknown to many. So much the better.
Included on the sheet are: Abigail Adams, John Adams, Agwalongdongwas, James Armistead, Cornplanter, John Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Freeman, Bernardo de Gálvez, Nathanael Greene, Alexander Hamilton, Lemuel Haynes, Patrick Henry, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Marquis de Lafayette, James Madison, Thomas Paine, Esther De Berdt Reed, Paul Revere, Deborah Sampson, Baron von Steuben, Mercy Otis Warren and George Washington.
Notable among the names is that several are clearly not English…for good reason. As anyone with even a passing knowledge of history knows, a number of foreign nations were among those who assisted colonists in the fight including the French, Polish and Germans.
Others are probably complete unknowns including Agwalongdongwas. Also known as "Good Peter," he was a prominent Oneida Nation Indian leader, Bear Clan warrior, and diplomat who fostered cooperation among native tribes with American forces against the British in order to protect Oneida lands.
Having a mix of familiar and “new” individuals offers an excellent educational opportunity with the stamps, particularly for school children who, with a little research on their own, can learn even more about the country’s founding. It’s surely a good chance for teachers to add a new dimension to lesson plans during this historic year.
The stamps are set on a background showing the Declaration of Independence, adding another layer of history. Beneath each portrait is the person’s name and a short identifier line. A screened image of the American flag is layered behind the portraits. At the top of the pane a line of text reads, “Forging America’s bold new beginning through courage, leadership, and sacrifice.”
Dialing the clock back to 1776, should someone want to mail a letter, it wasn’t an inexpensive proposition. Even though postage stamps wouldn’t come around for another 71 years, the cost to mail a letter in 1776 was over two shillings. In colonial times, that equated to over a day’s wages for a common laborer. Right now, the cost is 78-cents – substantially less than back then.
The reason for today’s affordable postage costs is the dramatically improved postal delivery system. For the record, the postal system is the only such entity also included in the US Constitution. In that document is wording requiring the Congress to establish post offices and provide Post Roads to facilitate delivery.
For the record, opting to pick up a few sheets of the new stamps now might be financially wise. Yet again, the Postal Service is requesting/needing a substantial rate hike. Word is, First Class postal rates will soon surpass 85-cents.
Sheets of the new “Figures Of The American Revolution” stamps are now available at most post offices nationwide. More information about them and First Day Of Issue cancellations can be found at www.USPS.gov.
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