1976 13c State Flags: California
# 1663 FDC - 1976 13c State Flags: California
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U.S. #1663
1976 13¢ California
State Flags Issue
State Flags Issue
Issue Date: February 23, 1976
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 8,720,100 panes of 50
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 11
Color: Multicolored
Issued as part of the ongoing Bicentennial celebration, the 13¢ State Flags pane was a first in U.S. history. This was the first time a pane with 50 face-different stamps was issued. Each state is represented by its official flag, with the stamps arranged on the sheet in the same order each state was admitted into the Union.
The Bicentennial Series
The U.S. Bicentennial was a series of celebrations during the mid-1970s that commemorated the historic events leading to America’s independence from Great Britain. The official events began on April 1, 1975, when the American Freedom Train departed Delaware to begin a 21-month, 25,338-mile tour of the 48 contiguous states. For more than a year, a wave of patriotism swept the nation as elaborate firework displays lit up skies across the U.S., an international fleet of tall-mast sailing ships gathered in New York City and Boston, and Queen Elizabeth made a state visit. The celebration culminated on July 4, 1976, with the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
The U.S.P.S. issued 113 commemorative stamps over a six-year period in honor of the U.S. bicentennial, beginning with the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission Emblem stamp (U.S. #1432). As a group, the Bicentennial Series chronicles one of our nation’s most important chapters, and remembers the events and patriots who made the U.S. a world model for liberty.
The Bear Flag Revolt
On June 14, 1846, California settlers staged the Bear Flag Revolt in rebellion against the Mexican government.
In 1822, California became a province of Mexico. The province was allowed to establish its own legislature and military force. But when Mexico began sending governors to the province in 1825, Californians began to resent the outside influence. Some citizens engaged Mexican troops in some minor conflicts. This continued resistance weakened Mexico’s control of the area.
In 1826, trapper Jedediah Strong Smith became the first American explorer to reach California by land. Many trappers and explorers soon followed in his footsteps. The first group of American settlers reached California in 1841. So many American settlers poured into California that the United States offered to buy the land, but Mexico refused to sell.
Military explorer John C. Frémont led surveying parties into California from 1844 to 1846. The Mexicans saw these expeditions as a threat. In March 1846, the Mexicans ordered Frémont to leave the area. Instead, he stood his ground, raising the US flag over Hawk’s Peak, located about 25 miles from Monterey. Frémont began building a fort, but when Mexican troops came to the area, Frémont withdrew. On May 13, 1846, the US and Mexico went to war.
Meanwhile, in Sonoma, California, settlers were emboldened by Frémont’s actions. On June 14, 1846, a group of about 30 Americans led by William Ide and Ezekiel Merritt captured the Mexican fort at Sonoma. This fort served as Mexico’s headquarters for all of northern California. Though Frémont didn’t participate, he approved of their attack.
The Americans surrounded the home of Mexican general Mariano Vallejo, who actually supported American annexation. Still, they told him he was a prisoner of war and he invited them in to discuss the situation over drinks. After several hours of polite discussion, Ide burst in and arrested Vallejo and his family.
The settlers proclaimed a victory and declared California an independent republic. They then raised a homemade flag bearing a star, grizzly bear, and the words California Republic. The Bear Flag Revolt as it came to be known, continued on with the rebels winning a few small skirmishes against the Mexican forces. Frémont then took command of the settlers on July 1.
Then, six days later, Frémont learned that American forces had taken Monterey without a fight and had raised the American flag over California. Because their goal was to make California part of the US, the Bear Flaggers were content, their republic dissolved, and they replaced the flag with the stars and stripes. After the war, Mexico surrendered California in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. California then became part of the US.
More About the Bear Flag
William L. Todd was one of the Bear Flag rebels and the designer of the flag. He was a first cousin to Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of future president Abraham Lincoln. The flag includes a single red star, in honor of the 1836 coup led by Juan Alvarado. Alvarado waved a red lone star flag when he attempted to declare California’s independence from Mexico. The flag’s central feature is the large grizzly bear, native to the state of California, chosen as a symbol of strength. The Bear Flag was officially adopted as the California state flag in 1911.
U.S. #1663
1976 13¢ California
State Flags Issue
State Flags Issue
Issue Date: February 23, 1976
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 8,720,100 panes of 50
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 11
Color: Multicolored
Issued as part of the ongoing Bicentennial celebration, the 13¢ State Flags pane was a first in U.S. history. This was the first time a pane with 50 face-different stamps was issued. Each state is represented by its official flag, with the stamps arranged on the sheet in the same order each state was admitted into the Union.
The Bicentennial Series
The U.S. Bicentennial was a series of celebrations during the mid-1970s that commemorated the historic events leading to America’s independence from Great Britain. The official events began on April 1, 1975, when the American Freedom Train departed Delaware to begin a 21-month, 25,338-mile tour of the 48 contiguous states. For more than a year, a wave of patriotism swept the nation as elaborate firework displays lit up skies across the U.S., an international fleet of tall-mast sailing ships gathered in New York City and Boston, and Queen Elizabeth made a state visit. The celebration culminated on July 4, 1976, with the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
The U.S.P.S. issued 113 commemorative stamps over a six-year period in honor of the U.S. bicentennial, beginning with the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission Emblem stamp (U.S. #1432). As a group, the Bicentennial Series chronicles one of our nation’s most important chapters, and remembers the events and patriots who made the U.S. a world model for liberty.
The Bear Flag Revolt
On June 14, 1846, California settlers staged the Bear Flag Revolt in rebellion against the Mexican government.
In 1822, California became a province of Mexico. The province was allowed to establish its own legislature and military force. But when Mexico began sending governors to the province in 1825, Californians began to resent the outside influence. Some citizens engaged Mexican troops in some minor conflicts. This continued resistance weakened Mexico’s control of the area.
In 1826, trapper Jedediah Strong Smith became the first American explorer to reach California by land. Many trappers and explorers soon followed in his footsteps. The first group of American settlers reached California in 1841. So many American settlers poured into California that the United States offered to buy the land, but Mexico refused to sell.
Military explorer John C. Frémont led surveying parties into California from 1844 to 1846. The Mexicans saw these expeditions as a threat. In March 1846, the Mexicans ordered Frémont to leave the area. Instead, he stood his ground, raising the US flag over Hawk’s Peak, located about 25 miles from Monterey. Frémont began building a fort, but when Mexican troops came to the area, Frémont withdrew. On May 13, 1846, the US and Mexico went to war.
Meanwhile, in Sonoma, California, settlers were emboldened by Frémont’s actions. On June 14, 1846, a group of about 30 Americans led by William Ide and Ezekiel Merritt captured the Mexican fort at Sonoma. This fort served as Mexico’s headquarters for all of northern California. Though Frémont didn’t participate, he approved of their attack.
The Americans surrounded the home of Mexican general Mariano Vallejo, who actually supported American annexation. Still, they told him he was a prisoner of war and he invited them in to discuss the situation over drinks. After several hours of polite discussion, Ide burst in and arrested Vallejo and his family.
The settlers proclaimed a victory and declared California an independent republic. They then raised a homemade flag bearing a star, grizzly bear, and the words California Republic. The Bear Flag Revolt as it came to be known, continued on with the rebels winning a few small skirmishes against the Mexican forces. Frémont then took command of the settlers on July 1.
Then, six days later, Frémont learned that American forces had taken Monterey without a fight and had raised the American flag over California. Because their goal was to make California part of the US, the Bear Flaggers were content, their republic dissolved, and they replaced the flag with the stars and stripes. After the war, Mexico surrendered California in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. California then became part of the US.
More About the Bear Flag
William L. Todd was one of the Bear Flag rebels and the designer of the flag. He was a first cousin to Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of future president Abraham Lincoln. The flag includes a single red star, in honor of the 1836 coup led by Juan Alvarado. Alvarado waved a red lone star flag when he attempted to declare California’s independence from Mexico. The flag’s central feature is the large grizzly bear, native to the state of California, chosen as a symbol of strength. The Bear Flag was officially adopted as the California state flag in 1911.