U.S. Flag 2023 Forever Stamps

Value: 68¢, First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: April 10, 2023
First Day City: Freedom, Maine
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint (“USPS” below the lower left corner of the flag field)
Format: Double-sided booklet of 20

Continuing a Proud Tradition
The U.S. Postal Service continues its nearly annual tradition of issuing a new American flag stamp, celebrating one of the nation’s most enduring symbols.

Design Excellence
Created by artist Hong Li, the stamp features a bold, graphic interpretation of the U.S. flag, with the word “FREEDOM” displayed elegantly beneath it in soft gray type — a fitting tribute to the ideals the flag represents.

Symbolic First Day
All 2023 U.S. Flag stamps were released on April 10 in Freedom, Maine. While no official First Day of Issue Ceremony was held, the choice of location carries a meaningful symbolic resonance.

Historical Significance
The tradition of flying the U.S. flag at half-mast has deep roots. A defining moment came on March 1, 1954, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first official policy, designating the practice as a way to honor principal U.S. officials, former officials, and state governors. Over time, the tradition has been extended to mark national periods of mourning and remembrance.

In modern history, this practice has served as a gesture of collective respect and unity. For example, in 2020, President Donald Trump ordered the flag to fly at half-mast in honor of Americans who lost their lives to COVID-19, stating, “Our Nation mourns for every life lost to the coronavirus pandemic, and we share in the suffering of all those who endured pain and illness from the outbreak.”

Whether raised high or solemnly lowered, the American flag serves as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and shared national identity — a message this stamp proudly carries forward.